“Very recently, I went to our old baker, for the Christmas cake and overheard a customer asking him ‘why are you baking cakes for Christians?’”
Disheartened by this comment, he feels our religious festivals have become highly prejudiced.
“We did not grow up in such bad times and I wish if we could all become more accommodating to each others’ differences like before.”
Intolerance, sense of insecurity and lack of education are a few issues that have muddled our social and religious lives.
Midnight mass is the hallmark religious ritual, one that remains very close to Marshall’s heart. “I still go to the church on the night of December 24. I remember, in the 1970s and 80 the churches and cathedrals would be packed with the congregation, however, now most worshippers prefer skipping the midnight mass and plan to visit the church on the morning of December 25.”
Even a day that is supposed to spread happiness evokes a sense of fear amongst the Church-goers.“There are times when even I get this strange feeling that I might not be able to leave the church alive, after the mass ends.”