Brighton University advises staff not to use word 'Christmas'

 (Photo: University of Brighton)

Guidelines sent to staff at the University of Brighton recently advised against using the word 'Christmas'.

The Inclusive Language Guidance cautioned staff against "using Christian-centric language".

As examples, the nine-page document cited the words "Christmas" and "Christian name".

The guidelines also suggested that the phrase "Christmas closure period" be replaced with "Winter closure period".

Staff were told that "inappropriate language and discrimination can be targeted at people with any faith or no faith".

After coming under criticism, a spokesperson for the university clarified that the guidance was advice and that the words were not banned.

"Words are not 'banned' at Brighton, and neither is Christmas – as is clear from the decorations and Christmas trees in our buildings and across our campuses," they said.

Commenting on the guidance, The Christian Institute's Simon Calvert dismissed the suggestions as "barmy".

"These kinds of barmy suggestions come up nearly every Christmas. Thankfully, the vast majority of people are far too sensible to pay any attention to them," he said.

"Staff and students at Brighton University are perfectly free to wish one another a Merry Christmas if they want to."

News
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire

In the year AD 203, a young woman named Vibia Perpetua stepped into a Roman arena in Carthage, North Africa. The crowd jeered, wild beasts prowled, and death was certain. Yet she did not hesitate.

Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles
Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles

Nicki Duncalfe said 'yes' to God's call, leaving behind comfort and career to support her husband’s mission flying with MAF, raise her boys cross-culturally, and live out her faith in extraordinary ways.

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world
Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world

Standing beneath Michelangelo’s towering fresco of the Last Judgement, newly elected Pope Leo XIV delivered his first papal homily in the Sistine Chapel, setting a bold and unmistakable tone for his pontificate. His message: reclaim an authentic vision of Jesus Christ or risk living in a state of “practical atheism”.

China clamps down on foreign missionaries
China clamps down on foreign missionaries

China has imposed sweeping restrictions on Christian practices.