Who are we not forgetting again?

Today is 'Holocaust Memorical Day' and, going to school in an area with a large Jewish population, we had an assesmbly. I don't accept comments like 'why do we still bother with this day?' because I think if we start to forget the horror of the Holocaust, that's when we open ourselves up to the chance of history repeating itself in that way. However, at the same time, many of my friends feel that since it is so important to remember the millions of Jewish people murdered, it is so important to remember the millions of others who were targeted... Communists, Trade Unionists, Gypsies, the mentally disabled, Homosexuals, non-white people (not 'suiting' the Arian image) and other political opponents.

The widely-used number associated with the Holocaust is 6 million. 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis. However, counting all those who were persecuted, the figure would be between 11 million and 17 million.

The definition of Holocaust (in terms of Nazi Germany) is: "The mass murder of Jews under the German Nazi regime during the period 1941–45." Personally, I agree with those who say that the Holocaust should include everyone the Nazis persecuted.

Ps. Sorry for such a somber/depressing topic!

Throw in the towel Christians!

Christmas has just gone and it amazes me that people are still trying to focus the holiday completely on religion. I agree that for Christians, Christmas is a religious celebration - however I think that the desperate attempt to make everyone turn their holiday into a Christian thing is just plain silly. The advertisement which I saw everywhere recently was "However you dress it is, Christmas begins with Christ". It's a good advert, don't get me wrong, but I believe it is time for them to realise, for many people Christmas is about family, food, presents etc. With the exception of carols, many people don't even consider the fact that Jesus was (apparently) born on the 25th of December. So I recon it's time to accept that although Christmas was obviously once a Christian celebration, so many people celebrate it now - there is no need to force people to say grace because 'it's Jesus' birthday', as my grandad insists on doing...