General Chat

...and lots of English (white, non muslim) people have foreign ancestors... This could be construed as a Racist thread in my opinion and I am REALLY surprised that a Site devoted to family history research has so many, erm, closet racists. OC

I feel people are actually making racist comments now! My opinion was that it should be open to all, all of the time and not hired out to any group. I do not think this should become a racist argument.

I agree with animal lover It is descriminating against the non muslim population. Fine to have it but also have a c of e day, catholic day, gay rights day etc etc. In this country NO ONe should be discriminated against But yet again PC taken to the nth degree cazx

The fact that this event can take place in the first place makes me so thankful that we live in a free and democratic society. Liz

Like I said earlier, the Sally Army have been having a Butlin's week for years and years without me ever noticing anything in the press about it. I'm sure if any Catholic, Gay Rights etc, etc groups approached Alton Towers with a view to hiring it for the day, they would be happy to let them. Mandy :)

Gillian,Im sure they have heard it all before,It is sad though.

Sorry caz, it would only be discriminating against the non-muslim population if A/T refused to hire out the venue to christian groups for example, on the grounds that they are not muslim. To hire out the venue to a muslim group is not discriminating as I am sure should a hindu/jewish/quaker group choose to hire it they would be free to do so. Also as has been pointed outl ANYONE has been invited to attend this day on the understanding that it is a private function and the hosts have requested that any guests that CHOOSE to turn up respect the views of the hosts accordingly. Not discriminating, or racist in any way as far as I can see. Claire xx

I have attended a day at Alton Towers for employees of a particular company and their families to celebrate the employees having worked for the company for 30 years. The park was closed to everyone else. I did think at the time it was a bit of a shame for those who tried to get in that day as not everyone has internet access to check these things. At least prior notice has appeared in the newspaper for this event. Jacky :-)

Where I live, in a Tourist area, we have a Methodist Hotel. There is no smoking and no alcohol. Anyone is free to stay there - but the rules are No Smoking, no alcohol and modest dress for women (not beach wear). I have never seen anything wrong with this. Would it have been better if the Muslims had said - This is a Muslim Event and Non Muslims are not welcome? Then all the non-Muslims needn't have gone anyway, and could have stayed away wearing whatever they liked. Its ONE DAY - Alton Towers is open 364 days a year. What about a bit of tolerance? OC

Sorry, I think I deleted my post by mistake! What I was saying was that I think the comment about religion and food choices was interesting. Many religions have food 'rules' and no-one bats an eyelid. Jews eat kosher food, christians eat fish on Friday - or used to - and other religions forbid meat of any kind. Halal meat is procured by a method many would say is less cruel than a modern abattior. No-one is saying as far as I can tell, that halal meat MUST be eaten at the event, only that halal meat will be for sale - ie take a picnic if you want. For goodness sake, no-one would object to being excluded from a corporate event, a family event or an event with some other theme that held no interest (e.g. a gay day or a craft fair). What's the difference here? Especially when the day is open to all, not like the first 2 examples I gave.

When I was at the Chester meet on Saturday someone was suprised that she had never heard of me even though I have been a member for over 3 years. I told her that I spent the first year on the tips board since I was learning my FH craft. On the second year I started joining in some of the General board posts but was put off by the racist comments of many of them. She had no idea what I was talking about. I hope she is reading this because this is what I was talking about. What underlying hatred and misunderstanding there is. Maybe the people who object so much should join in on the day. This is a privately run function. At least you wont be pestered by drunks and have smoke blown into your face. Jeanie A.

can't see the problem they can hire where they like Just like you and i so whats the problem

hi all i cant believe some of the comments on these threads, what is all the fuss about, they are not segregating they are inviting anyone to the event all they ask is that you dress decent, my children are muslim my daughter will be wearing jeans and loose top. regards jackie.

well said jackie

As in most things, (soon to be ALL things I'm afraid) money talks louder than anything else. Alton Towers can hire out their theme park to whomever they want as long as they get their money. It is definitely up to them. JJH

hi all sorry i dont normally add to threads only read them, this one starts of good then turns a little nasty as you go on. regards jackie.

Hello Jackie!! Its ages since I have seen a post from you . I still value all the help you gave me in the past. Warm regards Jeanie

I dont think people on this thread are being Racist at all, people are just expressing there view's right or wrong does it matter Alton Towers are there to make money, that's all it's about at the end of the day. i have noticed since the word Racist was mentioned this thread is decreasing as people are deleting, freedom of speach is my Moto. Lil

I like the comment about there being no alcohol. Hardly a disaster if you're going to a theme park, I know that I for one wouldn't want to be parking a tiger at the top of the loop-de-loop! ;)

Freedom of speech also means that people are entitled to point out if they think something is racist. There's no need for anyone to delete anything unless they want to.