A WOKE university is under fire for saying use of the phrase “Christian name” is offensive.
It claims the term is too Christian-centric and confusing and suggests using “first name” or “given name”.
The University of Kent has also advised students to abandon the wording on “grounds of respect” and for practical reasons because, it argues, it only applies to Christians.
Using “surname” was said to be acceptable but discouraged as it may come from “sire-name” and is therefore derived from a father.
The uni suggests using “family name” to avoid causing upset.
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The recommendations appear in the Inclusive Language guide on the uni’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity website pages.
Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern’s head of public policy, said the university was “displaying an irrational fear of using the term ‘Christian’ as if it is something to be ashamed of”.
He added: “Christianity has provided the moral and spiritual foundation for Western civilisation. This move to police language is another symptom of the abandonment of Christianity.”
Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, said the advice illustrated that the “woke movement” was trying to cleanse the English language of terms it deemed offensive.
He said the phenomenon had been imported from American colleges.
He said: “You might even say we’ve been colonised . . . policing language is a hallmark of every totalitarian society.”
Kent University said it aimed to create and support a balanced, inclusive and diverse community.
It added: “These are guidelines not policies.”