Survey finds Christmas gone from cards

LONDON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A survey by a British newspaper finds that only about 1 percent of the Christmas cards sold in the country have a religious message.

Nativity scenes, shepherds in the fields and the three kings following the star have given way to dancing meerkats or scenes of winter weather, The Daily Mail reported. If the shepherds or kings do appear, it is usually on a joke card, like one suggesting the shepherds had been smoking drugs.

Just over half the cards wish recipients "Merry Christmas." Others say "Season's Greetings" with no message at all.

"Of course we can't tell shops what to stock or customers what to buy but it would be nice if more cards carrying messages reminding people of the birth of Christ were being made, bought and sent," said a spokesman for the Church of England.

The Royal Mail has dropped religious stamps and some local councils have renamed the holiday season "Winterval."

The newspaper said some Muslim groups have joined the movement to restore religion to Christmas, fearing the move in the other direction could spark a backlash.