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Red poppy 'less Christian' claim Red poppy 'less Christian' claim
(about 2 hours later)
A Christian lobby group has claimed the wearing of red poppies is "politically correct" and stifles debate.A Christian lobby group has claimed the wearing of red poppies is "politically correct" and stifles debate.
The director of Ekklesia, Jonathan Bartley, said people should be able to choose between red or white ones.The director of Ekklesia, Jonathan Bartley, said people should be able to choose between red or white ones.
He added red poppies implied redemption through war, but Christianity seeks redemption through non-violence. White ones were created to symbolise peace.He added red poppies implied redemption through war, but Christianity seeks redemption through non-violence. White ones were created to symbolise peace.
The Royal British Legion said the red version was "a symbol of the need to... reflect on the human cost of war".The Royal British Legion said the red version was "a symbol of the need to... reflect on the human cost of war".
Mr Bartley told the BBC: "The red poppy suggests the idea that our soldiers died for freedom but that's not a value-free position."Mr Bartley told the BBC: "The red poppy suggests the idea that our soldiers died for freedom but that's not a value-free position."
RED POPPY DAY Flower has been symbol of remembrance since 1921 for those who died during the two World Wars and other conflictsCanadian doctor John McCrae wrote a poem in his pocket book in 1915 called In Flanders Fields Poem eventually published in Punch Magazine and the poppy became popular symbol for those killed in battleIn 1918 American Moira Michael wrote a poem in reply We Shall Keep the Faith promising to wear a poppy in honour of the dead, beginning tradition of remembrance poppiesFirst Poppy Day held in Britain on November 11, 1921, and hailed a success, raising £106,000 What's the right time to start wearing a poppy?
The Co-operative Women's Guild produced the first white version in 1933 as a symbol for peace.The Co-operative Women's Guild produced the first white version in 1933 as a symbol for peace.
Mr Bartley, writing in an edition of the Anglican newspaper The Church Times, said British public figures wore the red poppy almost as an "article of faith" while simultaneously being told not to wear items like crucifixes.Mr Bartley, writing in an edition of the Anglican newspaper The Church Times, said British public figures wore the red poppy almost as an "article of faith" while simultaneously being told not to wear items like crucifixes.
RED POPPY DAY Flower has been symbol of remembrance since 1921 for those who died during the two World Wars and other conflictsCanadian doctor John McCrae wrote a poem in his pocket book in 1915 called In Flanders Fields Poem eventually published in Punch Magazine and the poppy became popular symbol for those killed in battleIn 1918 American Moira Michael wrote a poem in reply We Shall Keep the Faith promising to wear a poppy in honour of the dead, beginning tradition of remembrance poppiesFirst Poppy Day held in Britain on November 11, 1921, and hailed a success, raising £106,000 What's the right time to start wearing a poppy?
He said: "The Christian tradition, and specifically the crucifix, have a great deal in common with the poppy.He said: "The Christian tradition, and specifically the crucifix, have a great deal in common with the poppy.
"Both are linked to sacrifice. Both take a location of bloodshed and violence and make a statement about it."Both are linked to sacrifice. Both take a location of bloodshed and violence and make a statement about it.
"And both attempt to give us hope in the face of death. They imply that those who died did not do so in vain."And both attempt to give us hope in the face of death. They imply that those who died did not do so in vain.
"But whilst apparently banned from wearing one symbol of hope, the cross, public figures in Britain are simultaneously urged, indeed in many cases, required, to wear another, the red poppy, almost as an article of faith."But whilst apparently banned from wearing one symbol of hope, the cross, public figures in Britain are simultaneously urged, indeed in many cases, required, to wear another, the red poppy, almost as an article of faith.
White poppy: an alternative symbol
"There is a political correctness about the red poppy, which often goes unnoticed.""There is a political correctness about the red poppy, which often goes unnoticed."
Mr Bartley, a member of the Church of England, also said churches should offer congregations alternatives to the red poppy, such as the white one.Mr Bartley, a member of the Church of England, also said churches should offer congregations alternatives to the red poppy, such as the white one.
HAVE YOUR SAY I wear red. The red poppy is not a religious or PC symbol Ed, Teesside Send us your comments "Churches, who host so many services of remembrance, should at least give people the choice, and make white poppies more widely available, alongside red ones."
A spokesman for The Royal British Legion said: "The Legion cannot comment on matters spiritual. Our concern is with remembrance and the welfare of the living.A spokesman for The Royal British Legion said: "The Legion cannot comment on matters spiritual. Our concern is with remembrance and the welfare of the living.
"The Red Poppy is an internationally-recognised symbol of remembrance and has been so since the end of the First World War. The Red Poppy is an internationally-recognised symbol of remembrance and has been so since the end of the First World War.
HAVE YOUR SAY I wear red. The red poppy is not a religious or PC symbol Ed, Teesside Send us your comments "Churches, who host so many services of remembrance, should at least give people the choice, and make white poppies more widely available, alongside red ones."
"The Legion held the first Poppy Appeal in 1921 to raise money for its welfare work in the ex-service community and since then it has encouraged the wearing of the red poppy as a poignant symbol of the need to pause and reflect on the human cost of war.""The Legion held the first Poppy Appeal in 1921 to raise money for its welfare work in the ex-service community and since then it has encouraged the wearing of the red poppy as a poignant symbol of the need to pause and reflect on the human cost of war."
The BBC's religious affairs correspondent, Robert Pigott, accepts that Ekklesia's call for parity for the white poppy is provocative.The BBC's religious affairs correspondent, Robert Pigott, accepts that Ekklesia's call for parity for the white poppy is provocative.
He also reports that the white version has been a controversial symbol since being introduced by anti-war groups 73 years ago.He also reports that the white version has been a controversial symbol since being introduced by anti-war groups 73 years ago.