Police officers banned from asking for 'Christian' names

This makes perfect sense. The little summary and the article itself (from a conservative UK newspaper) are misleading. Police have handbooks with protocol and guidelines, it's silly to say a practice was "banned". Maybe the phrase, and things in general, are different in the UK, but in the US we are used to Miranda rights and the pre-written scripts that the police use when arresting and ticketing people. If you look at the article, they are also advised not to use the term "gang rape." I'm glad to know that if I'm assaulted in the UK, I don't have to put up with grotesque, harassing terms from the people whose job it is to help me get justice from the sociopaths that attacked me.

Personally, I've never heard a person in real life ask about a "Christian name," other than a school production of "The Importance of Being Earnest." The phrase assumes that the person has been christened or baptized, anyway. So, it wouldn't even be appropriate for some heavily religious Christian people, like Amish teenagers.

I've read it in my collection of classics but I didn't know they still used the term 'Christian name'. Even if asked for my 'Christian name', I wouldn't be offended by it even though it would be a bit funny. Why not ask for my atheist name or my Wiccan name or perhaps, my scientologist name? Amusing, yes. Offensive, no.

It does make more sense to just say your personal name or what have you, but to ban officers from saying Christian name is absurd. Is it a human right to not be offended?

How about "What's your last name?"

Is that so difficult?

what wrong with "what's your name?" too non-theocrical?? the same as saying "what is your non-religious name?" gimme a break.
FUCK those who are offended when asked for their non-delusional name :D.

and if i am atheist what do i do... :D

im so sick of people being offended youd think people commiting suicide murders in your religions name would offend more people

They call me "Mr. Satan!!!"

the only ones offended by this r those freakin muslims...juz another ploy by them to continuosly degrade uk laws!...unfortunately its working thx to the pc crazies!

i'm not sure anyone actually read the article but some of the guidelines are completely ridiculous:

"The guidelines warn that officers should not comfort people by “putting their arm around them” as it could be seen as “unprofessional”.

They also state that the term “mixed race” should be replaced by “mixed parentage” or “mixed cultural heritage”.

Scotland Yard instructing officers not to use the phrase “gang rape” to describe such crimes because the term is too “emotive”. Sex attacks that involve more than one culprit are referred to as “multi-perpetrator rapes” instead.

officers in Warwickshire had been warned not to say "Evenin' all" – the phrase made famous by television show Dixon of Dock Green – because it could confuse people of “different cultural backgrounds” as to the time of day.

Other words now discouraged include, "businessman'', "housewives'' and "child'', all of which organisations argue have negative connotations."

i think it's completely ridiculous to call someone's first name a "christian name". i thought they called it a given name across the pond.

but the others are completely ridiculous

Immigration forms on most of my flights ask for the "surname".

No one even knows what a christian name is anymore. That alone is reason enough to change the wording. Also, unimatrix0 is right -- I'm American, and I don't think I've ever been asked for my "Christian" name.

It's an old turn of phrase that no longer applies to a more diverse society. I used to think the "christian" name was my surname, until I was corrected. Just say First, Middle, and Last Name like all the government forms. That works just fine.

I don't know if the police were trying to get the citizens to tell them the names on their identification cards, drivers licenses, or passport. I can only assume they said, "Christian Names" in reference to their legal names. Cashes Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali at some point. I wonder if they were trying to figure out their legal names?

This is an issue for the British, and their often peculiar use of the language; American usage does not present a similar problem.

no one in america has heard of surname and given name

how often does this problem come up? I've spoken with many law enforcement members over the years and neve have they asked me for my christian name. I didn't know i had one. is it special like a secret name or something?

pc gone nuts - its a terminology.
I'm not Christian (cant say what I am, burning stakes are not a happy memory!)
but do get it that in England that word is used for 'forename'.
Language is constantly changing, which is cool (else we'ld be stuck with words like 'cool' forever) but don't have to be taking a fence about it.

Why would they ever say "Christian name" anyway?
That's an archaic term.
Most people say first name, last name.

So yes- officers and other public officials should not use archaic bigoted expressions when speaking to the general public.

Makes sense. We don't need to shove religion down people's throats.

I'm sure they are fully capable of deciding when the term would be appropriate on their own. sheesh.

This is the stupidest thing the government has even given in for. Give a inch and the yard is gone next.