UK Christmas stamps stir controversy

Britain's Royal Mail is having to defend a set of Christmas stamps, designed by Japanese artist Tatsuro Kuichi, for not being religious enough, according to Japan Times.

The three designs (shown above) have created a stir in Britain with the Church of England saying it was disappointed there were no religious images among the series of 2006 Christmas stamps.

According to the article, "Digital illustrator Kiuchi, who graduated from International Christian University in Tokyo, but is not a Christian, said he took time to try to understand the real meaning of Christmas in Europe before making the designs."

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said it was customary for the postal service to consider both the religious and secular aspects of the holiday in order to recognize "all elements of Christmas in a multifaith society."

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