Church fury over opening of McDonald’s on Christmas Day as Muslim manager is drafted in
This is the headline of a piece featured in the Daily Mail today:
Church fury over opening of McDonald’s on Christmas Day as Muslim manager is drafted in
Wow, “Church fury”, they must be hopping mad with this.
Here’s how the article begins:
Church leaders have hit out at a branch of McDonald’s which is to open on Christmas Day.
A Muslim branch manager has been drafted in by the fast food outlet to cover for the usual boss who is taking the day off and staff have volunteered to work that day for seven hours.
Well, if “church leaders have hit out” over this move, it must be very serious indeed and the frequently mentioned fact that it is a Muslim being drafted in, must in some way have exacerbated this ‘fury’. Right.
This Daily Mail article is a classic piece of Churnalism.
The original article began life in: This is Derbyshire and opens with this headline:
Turkey or Big Mac? McDonald’s to open for Christmas dinner
Interestingly, the This is Derbyshire piece begins with citing The Dean of Derby, Dr John Davies:
The news has been given a mixed reaction by leaders in the Christian Church.
The Dean of Derby, Dr John Davies, said he had “no argument” with the move.
“Mary, Joseph and the babe were lucky to find an innkeeper who helped them find a place to stay. He provided hospitality for them,” he said.
“Families and friends should come together at Christmas, and if they want to do that in McDonald’s then who are the Church to object?”
Hmm, that’s odd; didn’t sound all that furious to me? No mention of Muslims either.
On the other hand, the Daily Mail kicks off with comments made by the Rvd Wayne Stillwell:
Parish Rvd Wayne Stillwell said the decision to open the branch showed ‘the continuing decline of Christendom in this country’ and his reaction was ‘one of great sadness’.
He added: ‘I’m sad that we’ve got to this point in our society where something that means as much as Christmas seems to mean so little.
‘It shows the continuing decline of Christendom in our country.’
Rev Stillwell, of St Mary’s Church, Chaddesden, said: ‘Some people, who provide essential services, have to work on Christmas Day – but I don’t feel that those employed by a fast-food restaurant should be in the same situation.’
Again, not much in the way of fury; more ‘sad’ than anything else and strangely again no mention of Muslims.
OK, where to start? The first thing to note is that there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of evidence for “Church fury” or “Church leaders hitting out” does there?
Secondly, it’s worth noting that Rev Stillwell, of St Mary’s Church, Chaddesden, appears to be based on the other side of Derby.
To summarise, firstly, there is no “Church fury”; there are no “Church leaders hitting out”. Secondly, the Daily Mail deliberately swapped the order of the original story to emphasise and corroborate their spurious headline. Thirdly, was it necessary for the Daily Mail to twice highlight the fact that the replacement stand-in manager is Muslim; once emblazoned in the headline and then repeated in the second paragraph?
Does this strike anybody else as the Daily Mail twisting this story so as to create the image of furious Christians hitting back at ‘Islamic creep’ underming our beloved Christmas festival.
As I always say: It’s all in the phraseology, we paint pictures and connections in folks minds…..
Or am I reading too much into this?
Oh and by the way, I’m not dreadfully impressed with McDonald’s being open on Christmas Day, but there you.
Tags: Media
December 7th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
I saw the headline and thought there was ‘fury’ because a Muslim manger had been drafted in for Christmas Day, I had visions of the Nativity scene. No wonder it didn’t make any sense. My brain is slightly befuddled!
And you never know nowadays who is going to complain about what!
December 7th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
“Oh and by the way, I’m not dreadfully impressed with McDonald’s being open on Christmas Day, but there you.”
But there you what?
On another note, how dare they open on Christmas Day? Grrrrr grrrrr *cheek jowls quivering with righteous indignation – or not, lol*
Actually, more grrr grrr at the Dean of Derby. I thought the word used was ‘katalumati’, which also refers to the guest room of a relatives house rather than the commercial variety? Anyone know?
December 7th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Why be surprised that the climate denying and eurosceptic, Daily Mail has twisted a story to stir up anger and resentment? It has, after all, had a generosity by-pass and trades on all the least attractive characteristics of middle England. Faith, hope, and charity are all missing from its pages. Happily most of its readers are nicer than the newspaper.
December 7th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I think I can explain this story, but I really should get paid for this kind of insight.
December 8th, 2011 at 11:06 am
Funny how the Daily Mail is used by those who want to attack our traditional values and way of life. To attack it, as Frederick Oakley has, then say how nice its readers are typifies this unhealthy development.
I suppose they feel nicer about themselves saying a newspaper is bad rather than saying that people are bad. After all, in these politically correct times attacking people is usually some form of ‘ism’ so best avoided.
December 8th, 2011 at 11:17 am
I have to say that even as a non-religious person, I’m saddened by the growing trend for retail outlets to open on Christmas Day. I really miss the amazing peace and quiet we used to experience on this one special day of the year.
And the Daily Mail continues to surpass itself in how deep into the gutter it can sink. It’s just so depressing to think that anyone takes any of their articles seriously.
December 8th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
No surprise that Simian has come out with more twaddle. Why do you read it then Simian? And if you don’t read it how can you make such a definitive statement about a newspaper you don’t read? Or do you just read things, such as Christian blogs and the Daily Mail, because you get a perverse thrill from angering yourself?
As I very rarely read the Mail I can’t comment.
December 8th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
As someone likely to be working at NHS Direct helpline over Xmas I would be very happy if my local MacDs is open Xmas day.
There’ll be plenty of people working over Xmas who will appreciate someone, anyone, selling cheap food that day.
December 8th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Gregg,
Unlike some people – presumably including you – I read the background sources before submitting comments. Because our webmaster has previously quoted on numerous occasions from the Daily Mail I have become familiar with the tone of the articles it publishes. Is that so hard to understand?
Sorry to disappoint you Gregg, but the posts on this blog do not make me angry. I read blogs because their topics interest me, and I enjoy civilised debate. I cannot see the point of indulging in mutual backslapping at a blog that just supports my point of view. Can you?
Furthermore, I have a great deal of respect for Stuart, and I appreciate the fact that he frequently makes me think about things in a new light. I may not always agree, but I hope I learn, that I become more tolerant of difference, and that I can also offer a different and constructive perspective on things.
By all means call this a load of twaddle if that pleases you, but I don’t think I’ve wasted my time – If what I write makes you think, even if negatively, then it’s still a learning experience for us both, and possibly for others, so not all bad.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Hmm….getting a Muslim to work in a fast food outlet over Christmas…..I bet he wouldn’t do it if pork was on the menu!
December 8th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
In hoc signo vinces†
“There’ll be plenty of people working over Xmas who will appreciate someone, anyone, selling cheap food that day.”
Halal burger on Christmas day, merry capatilist jihad.