In their stores, the British Red Cross has banned all references to traditional Christmas imagery featuring nativity scenes, the Virgin Mary, or the city of Bethlehem—because they need to appear neutral: Christmas Chaos Kicks Off. (Hat tip: Connecticut Yankee.)

Red Cross stores in Britain have been told not to display any “overtly religious” items in their stores during the Christmas season because the organization needs to appear neutral, reports the�Evening Star.

Workers at a store in Ipswich told the paper that they may sell Christmas cards and other holiday goods but none may contain traditional Christian images such as the Virgin Mary, the nativity scene or the city of Bethlehem.

In leaflets made available at one store, the Red Cross says its “neutrality is as important on the U.K. high street as it is in a conflict zone.

“This is why, during Christmas and any other religious festivals, our volunteers are welcome to display and sell seasonal decorations and goods, including Christmas trees and cards, but not anything overtly religious.”

And a Billy Graham-sponsored drive to collect Christmas gifts for children in war zones has been castigated as “racist” by a British Unitarian minister:

An effort by Billy Graham’s Christian organization to collect Christmas goodies for children in war zones was described as racist and right wing by an English cleric, reports the�Tameside Advertiser.

The Rev. Vernon Marshall, a Unitarian minister in England, said the effort has a hidden agenda. He said “poisonous literature” is inserted into the shoeboxes.

“Leaflets are put in thrusting an intolerant and racist form of Christianity into the lives of poor Muslims who have been bombed out of their homes by the same people who then try to befriend them,” Marshall said.