Italian lawmakers are introducing legislation which would discipline teachers who ban Christian Nativity scenes from classrooms in the name of cultural sensitivity.
The bill was introduced by senators from the Brothers of Italy party, of which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is a member. The lawmakers said that it was necessary to preserve Italy’s cultural roots and to protect Christians from being discriminated against.
“For some years there have been embarrassing and unacceptable decisions by some schools to ban nativity scenes, or to turn Christmas into an improbable winter festival to avoid giving offence to practitioners of other religions,” said Senator Lavinia Mennuni, who introduced the legislation.
Mennuni added that she didn’t want recognition of the Nativity to just become part of a generic holiday celebration, but to allow its celebration to remain distinct.
