Archbishop: Ministers' PC Christmas cards 'erode Christianity'

Britain's first black Archbishop has attacked Government Ministers for sending non-Christian Christmas cards for fear of offending other religions.
Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said the "illiberal atheists" were aiding the "systematic erosion" of Christianity in public life.
He hit at policies such as saying "Winterval" for Christmas and changing "happy Christmas" to "season's greetings" on Government cards.
Ugandan-born Dr Sentamu, 56, who became Archbishop last year, told an audience of lay readers in Newcastle upon Tyne that Christians should be more politically active to combat a rising tide of "aggressive secularism" and ensure that their principles were not purged from society.
"Christianity is being systematically eroded from public view, more often than not in the fear of offending those who would not be offended in the least or because of the mistaken belief that Christianity has no role to play in the public arena," he said.
"This systematic erosion is subtle, with minor changes which drip by drip erode centuries of Christian heritage and identity.
"Examples can be seen all over officialdom: The change in official Government cards from "happy Christmas" to "season's greetings", the change to the asking for a "first name" instead of a "Christian name", the slow chipping away at the foundational heritage that gave birth to those values we all share."
Dr Sentamu, who came to Britain 22 years ago after fleeing dictator Idi Amin, cited Birmingham Council's decision eight years ago to rename Christmas "Winterval", Torbay's removal of a cross from its crematorium, the Royal Mail Christmas stamps which do not feature Jesus and Plymouth's move to end free parking on Sundays in case it offends people who worship on other days.
"The people of Plymouth corporately need to make a robust but peaceful response," said Dr Sentamu. "Long-standing traditions cannot be swept aside by a stroke of a pen."
Dr Sentamu has called for a rediscovery of English pride, warning that a zeal for multi-culturalism sometimes "seemed to imply, 'let other cultures be allowed to express themselves but do not let the majority culture at all tell us its glories.'"
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister always sends out cards with a Christmas greeting. The only exception is if the card is being sent to a senior figure from another religious faith."
She added that the policy across Whitehall was "a matter for individual Government departments".