Thomas the Tank Engine
The annual battle to banish Christmas has started early this year with the beloved British children’s cartoon “Thomas the Tank Engine” carrying a “decorated tree” for the “winter holidays.
The word “Christmas” is never uttered although the plucky little train engine is obviously transporting a Christmas tree.
“The team behind TV’s ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ have angered church leaders after writing Christmas out of their latest DVD,” reports Anna Blyth for the Scotsman daily newspaper. “The much-loved train has been dubbed a member of the politically correct brigade after the term ‘Christmas’ was replaced with ‘winter holiday’ in ‘Little Engine’s Big Day Out.’”
“‘Thomas the Tank Engine” narrator Michael Angelis tells young viewers: ‘You’ll always see a tree with decorations during the winter holidays.’
“Tis the season to be worried!” headlined the Daily Mail. ”Even Christmas trees have been axed in an episode of the DVD, ‘Little Engines, Big Days Out,’ and are instead referred to as decorated trees. Brightly wrapped presents are delivered to a ‘holiday party.’
Critics say the omission was particularly strange because the original Thomas books, hugely popular around the world, were written by a clergyman, the Reverend Wilbert Awdry.
Retired British political figure Ann Widdecombe told the Mail it was “extra ridiculous” not to mention Christmas in a children’s story as youngsters would be anticipating the special day for months in advance.
“The shops will be stocking Christmas gifts, the television will be advertising presents and people will be talking about it, so the idea that children won’t hear about it is ludicrous,” she said. “It is another example of the politically correct brigade trying to airbrush Christmas out of our lives because they fear they might upset non-Christians, which is nonsense.”
In the episode Thomas carries a fir tree and his friend, James the Red Engine, is anxious to beat the other engines to finish a series of jobs because he wants to win the privilege of distributing children’s presents.
The Fat Controller, the rotund manager of the railways system on the fictional island of Sodor, tells the trains that when the lines are clear of snow he will need an engine “to take the presents to the holiday party.”
The narration notes: “All the engines wanted to take the presents train. It was the jolliest train of the year.”
At one point, James pulls into a station where children are singing carols and decorating a tree with shiny baubles. The voice-over narration intones: “James listened to the choir and watched all the colorful decorations being put up.”
John Midgley of England’s Campaign Against Political Correctness, cautioned: “This is another example of the attempt to write Christmas out of something which is so popular with families. Let’s hope the makers of the DVD think hard about this. It’s our experience that people from other religions do not want to eradicate Christmas from holidays or write it out of our everyday language. We feel it is vital not to do this especially when the audience is children.”
The Rev. Mark Johnstone, convenor of the Mission and Discipleship Council of the Church of Scotland, commented to the online news site Tonight: “There is a great Christian tradition in Scotland and Christmas is important as it celebrates the birth of Christ.”
A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church told the Christian Institute news site: “It would be a great shame if political correctness were to wipe out the true meaning of Christmas for children, even to the extent of interfering in classic children’s stories.”
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posted October 6, 2011 at 5:53 am
I BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD ARE IN FOR A VERY RUDE AWAKENING. I WILL NOT BUY ANY DVDS FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN IF I KNOW THEY HAVE REMOVED ANYTHING THAT PERTAINS TO GOD OR JESUS OR ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH CHRISTAIN BELIEFS BECAUSE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON. THESE PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP AND SEE THE TRUE LIGHT!
posted October 6, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Its about time we put a stop to political correctness, I have asked Thomas the Tank makers on their facebook page if this is true. If it is then I will be ditching all my Thomas the Tank Engline stuff and I will boycot any of their products and programs. Hit them where it hurts in their pockets.
posted October 6, 2011 at 4:05 pm
They have informed us that the reports are accurate … but they plan on doing a Christmas show later! Should be interesting to see how that goes!
posted October 8, 2011 at 4:16 am
So sad, what we ever do without a Christmas tree in Thomas. Maybe we can do the real Christian thing and.help the poor.
posted October 8, 2011 at 12:34 pm
I love the Lord and want my grandchildren to love Him too. Celebrating Christmas is so
important in the Christian faith. I am very disappointed that Thomas the train manufacturers have chosen to be politically correct instead of honest and forthright.It is, and always will be, a Christmas tree and Christmas holiday, NOT “winter”. I hope Thomas will reconsider…
posted October 8, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Since this political correctness seems to have no end in sigh, then my family will make our case by prohibiting the little show in our home. I am sick of the lack of respect for Christians and yes, also Jews.
The other day an atheist acquaintance mentioned that he was “thankful” that his mother has survived a delicate surgery. I asked him: “To whom are you grateful? You have no one to be grateful to, after all.” I guess we can all exchange presents at CHRISTmas in honor of jolly Thomas. Wow!!!
posted October 8, 2011 at 1:58 pm
In an attempt to be seeking to minimize social and institutional offense, they also include the complete OK to do so even if damage is created elsewhere.
“Prevent damage, by creating damage” is the ridiculous way of the day.
posted October 8, 2011 at 11:51 pm
This company that are the producers of this children’s show better wise up. Just like the liberals pushing to vote in obama and the decline of this country that has followed, you can bet Christian parents will no longer buy or watch your show. You will be more respected and bring in more viewers by staying with the truth. Merry Christmas!
posted October 9, 2011 at 1:15 am
GOD IS EMBEDED IN OUR HEARTS. HOW MUCH CLOSER CAN WE BE?
posted October 9, 2011 at 7:08 am
CHRISTmas has a lot of meaning to me my friends family etc, I am ashamed of my country which was founded on GOD is turning away from HIS son who died for us to have eternal life, If foreigners can their religions into my country and practice them there should be no problem with the showing of my beliefs and celebration of the birth of CHRIST at CHRISTmas, if my belief in CHRISTmas insults anyone they need to learn of JESUS who died for them and then they would have change of heart.
posted October 9, 2011 at 9:01 am
More stupid people huh? And they are getting more stupid every day. So if they don’t want to celebrate Christmas then stop watching those fools. A simple Merry Christmas won’t hurt the jerks and why be “proud” of not saying that? At Christmas time when I am shopping and some sales person says to me “happy holidays” I always reply back and say Merry Christmas to you and she usually says Merry Christmas back to me. Why change it now?
posted October 9, 2011 at 9:07 am
Silliest thing I ever heard. My grandson had a Christmas Thomas. So did several of my friends.
posted October 9, 2011 at 10:30 am
How very sad our world has come to this…
posted October 9, 2011 at 11:30 am
my family and me are totally disappointed in the fact that Christmas is being taken out of the Thomas Videos. Because Christmas has been a part of our culture for hundreds of years and if the “politically correct” don’t like it, don’t buy it.
posted October 9, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Has everyone taken leave of their senses. this is a step too far!! Why shouldn,t Christmas be mentioned..it is part of our religion and culture. Its do-gooders doing wrong!!
posted October 9, 2011 at 11:45 pm
well no more Thomas the train in my house!!!!
posted October 10, 2011 at 7:59 am
Actually, the “Christmas” tree is an ancient tradition among Germanic peoples, used to celebrate the winter solstice. (It was called “Yul”.) When I see such a tree, even though I am a practicing Roman Catholic, I feel amused that people are saluting my pagan German ancestors.
posted October 10, 2011 at 9:23 am
This is sad. I don’t have any issues with anyone else regarding their faith but to see where the word Christmas can’t even be uttered, that says something about the direction we’re taking. Are the minority trying to wipe out Christianity? It sure seems like it. Our voice is being silenced.
posted October 10, 2011 at 2:52 pm
I’m a 67 year old great grandmother and I find it hard to understand why everyone wants to take Christ out of Christmas when he is the reason for the Christmas Season, it’s when we celebrate the birth of God’s Son. I am a Christian and I don’t understand why government and others are so worried about offending the minority and not worried about offending the majority, which according to the articles I’ve read are mostly Christians. Freedom of worship is the basic reason our country was founded and I believe our forefathers are turning over in their graves. I do hope every one reading this has a wonderful Chrismas Season.
posted October 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Never thought I’d see the day when Scrooge comes to visit Thomas. C’mon people, get real and stop the politically correct nonsense. It’s Christmas for cryin’ out loud.