Europe South Asia Asia Pacific Americas Middle East Africa BBC Homepage World Service Education



Front Page

World

UK

UK Politics

Business

Sci/Tech

Health

Education

Sport

Entertainment

Talking Point
On Air
Feedback
Low Graphics
Help

Tuesday, January 6, 1998 Published at 23:04 GMT


UK

Religious controversy over Millennium Dome



There is fresh controversy surrounding plans to mark the millennium after remarks by the Minister without Portfolio, Peter Mandelson, that Christianity will be a central theme of the Millennium Dome.

There are concerns that minority religions in Britian might now feel excluded.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Mandelson, who is responsible for the Dome, wrote: "The impact of Christianity on Western civilisation will be central to the Millennium Experience."

He made the remarks after fears were expressed by church leaders that the £750m Dome being built in Greenwich would lack a spiritual dimension.

On Monday, the Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend Richard Harries, said the millennium was primarily a celebration of the birth of Christ.

"The churches will certainly be very disappointed if the element of Christian celebration is not signficantly present, if it is marginalised in any way."


[ image: Minority faiths fear they may be left out of the celebrations]
Minority faiths fear they may be left out of the celebrations
However, representatives of other faiths in Britain are worried.

Some of them think that a purely Christian celebration would not reflect the whole of modern British society.

Dr Ghiyasuddin Siddique, the director of the Muslim Institute, says that during the last 50 years, the social landscape of Britain has changed.

"I think we are not talking about past and present. We are talking about the future as well, and this is where the changes that have come about ought to be reflected."

Rabbi David Goldberg of the Liberal Synagogue says he believes the millennium celebrations offer an opportunity.

"What I would like to see is all the major faiths coming together - not in a spirit of competition or triumphalism but in genuine unity to look for some common goal."

It's still not clear what will go inside the Dome.


[ image: Peter Mandelson seeks inspiration at Disney World]
Peter Mandelson seeks inspiration at Disney World
Peter Mandelson has been abroad to seek inspiration for ideas.

At the weekend, he visited Disney World in Florida.

Last month, an all-party commission of MPs criticised the secrecy over plans for the dome, saying it could undermine the project's future.



Advanced options | Search tips




Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©


UK Contents

Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
England
Relevant Stories

21 Dec 97 | UK
Hirst and Hockney in talks over Millennium Dome

08 Jan 98 | World
The Millennium: prayers among the parties.

17 Dec 97 | Politics
Secrecy 'undermining Millennium Dome'

13 Nov 97 | Europe
New grants for British Millennium celebrations





Internet Links

The Millennium Experience

Greenwich 2000 Millennium Channel


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.




In this section

Next steps for peace

Blairs' surprise over baby

Bowled over by Lord's

Beef row 'compromise' under fire

Hamilton 'would sell mother'

Industry misses new trains target

From Sport
Quins fightback shocks Cardiff

From Business
Vodafone takeover battle heats up

IRA ceasefire challenge rejected

Thousands celebrate Asian culture

From Sport
Christie could get two-year ban

From Entertainment
Colleagues remember Compo

Mother pleads for baby's return

Toys withdrawn in E.coli health scare

From Health
Nurses role set to expand

Israeli PM's plane in accident

More lottery cash for grassroots

Pro-lifers plan shock launch

Double killer gets life

From Health
Cold 'cure' comes one step closer

From UK Politics
Straw on trial over jury reform

Tatchell calls for rights probe into Mugabe

Ex-spy stays out in the cold

From UK Politics
Blair warns Livingstone

From Health
Smear equipment `misses cancers'

From Entertainment
Boyzone star gets in Christmas spirit

Fake bubbly warning

Murder jury hears dead girl's diary

From UK Politics
Germ warfare fiasco revealed

Blair babe triggers tabloid frenzy

Tourists shot by mistake

A new look for News Online