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War on Christmas 2012 Kicks Off! Christians Sue Santa Monica to Fight City’s Atheist-Inspired Nativity Scene Ban

Oct. 11, 2012 5:57pm Billy Hallowell

These days, there seems to be a “war” on practically everything. Women. Football. Terror. The list goes on. The term has become a political buzzword that’s often used by one ideological collective against opponents to expose purported inequities. While the semantics surrounding these sociopolitical battles come and go in terms of their popularity and prominence, there’s one “war” that pops up annually without fail — the “War on Christmas.”

If you’re unfamiliar with this particular terminology, consider reading TheBlaze’s recap of atheist and secularist-led attacks on nativities, crosses and other religious sentiments during the holiday season in 2011. But today, on October 11, 2012, we’re announcing the official kick-off of the 2012 “War on Christmas” season (typically, the battle rages from October to December each year, with select cases continuing into the next year).

Santa Monica City Council Bans Nativity, Religious Scenes in Parks

Image Credit: Santa Monica Nativity Scenes

This year, the epic battle that marks the official start of the season surrounds an atheist-led crusade that actually dates back to the 2011 holiday season. The fight, over a large-scale nativity scene, commenced in Santa Monica, California, last year when non-believers successfully thwarted the display of the nearly six-decade-old nativity tradition.

Last fall, for the first time in 60 years, the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes committee was prevented from erecting its giant, two-block long display that offered visitors 14 life-size nativity-themed scenes. Atheists, who wanted to stop any and all religious sentiment in the park, complained about the Christian themes presented and the city subsequently decided to hold a lottery for the community as a whole to compete for spots.

Atheists seeking to erect ”solstice greetings” to counter the Christmas story message ended up winning the majority of the spaces. This left the nativity display, which had previously spanned throughout the park, with only three tiny spots. But the drama didn’t end there. In June, looking to avoid further controversy, the Santa Monica City Council voted to prevent any and all religious displays on public property.

Image Credit: Santa Monica Nativity Scenes

“In a highly disappointing action, the Santa Monica City Council voted 5-0 June 12 to ban all December displays, including the Nativity Scenes and menorah, from Palisades Park,” the Christian group wrote on its web site this summer.

This action essentially means that the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes organization would be banned from securing any of the spaces. Now, the Christian group is fighting back and seeking a temporary injunction — and its members are willing to go to federal court to secure one. KCAL-TV has more:

Attorney William J. Becker Jr., who represents the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes committee, filed suit in U.S. District Court on Tuesday and called for the city to restore the nearly 60 year-old tradition.

“The city violated the First Amendment by denying religious speech in the park, which is a traditional public forum, so the complain seeks an order from the court declaring the city’s actions to be unconstitutional,” Becker said.

“It is not the government’s function to avoid controversy at the cost of fundamental rights. Indeed, the Supreme Court has firmly rejected this rationale for interfering with speech,” Becker wrote in a letter to the council on June 6.

Santa Monica Nativity Scenes hopes to be able to erect the Christmas display again this year if, indeed, an injunction is secured.

–

Related:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (71)

drs1969
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:47am
Atheism is a branch of Jewish Bolshevism. The Fed, Brandeis, and Lenin came into power the same decade.

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noneed4govthelp
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:35pm
Religion is a set of beliefs.If you believe nothing exist, that is still a belief.So isn’t the government endorsing the atheist belief.The only way for the government to remain neutral, is to provide space for others to practice their beliefs.They could leave an empty space for the atheist.

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noslave
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 10:32pm
wouldn’t it be a lot cheaper to just shoot the few atheists??
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ModerationIsBest
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 8:08pm
I don’t see anybody offering to have this display put on their own private property or church property.

Nope, gotta be on public property.

Once again Christians showing how unpersonal their so called personal relationship is.

It’s so personal that EVERYONE has to know about it.

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- Rotro
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 8:44pm
  It’s a warm heartfelt story. You don’t have to believe it or Christianity to understand the message.
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 9:00pm
  I recommend militant atheists and radical democrats to NEVER visit the National Archives in DC. Why? Because it displays the Declaration of Independence which states that our Creator endowed us Men with certain unalienable Rights! In fact, I dare for a federal judge to censor and remove that Declaration. These folks during the revolution, our Representatives in Congress Assembled, also publicly appealed therein to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of their intentions! Maybe the ACLU should have been around to set our founders straight. These founders publicly sought God’s blessing and protection on their endeavor to be free and independent. Thank God we ain’t take the route godless France took in her revolution.
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 9:02pm
  I move another motion to destroy our Liberty Bell also. Scratch that, I recommend that militant atheists and radical Democrats never visit Independence Hall, they might get offend by the scriptural engraving on public property.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 9:36pm
  It’s hardly a heartfelt story when the ending is that billions of people die in a series of cataclysms and then to top it off they then burn in eternal agony.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 9:48pm
  Yet Colt, they codified none of that in the Constitution.
  
  Report this comment
- RealLiibertarian
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 10:12pm
  Colt- ever consider that ‘Creator’ does not necessarily mean the Judeo Christian Deity? There many religions with creation mythologies. Don’t be so arrogant to think that everyone reads it the same way that you do.
  
  Report this comment
- Git-R-Done
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 10:49pm
  Moderation – If you don’t like the displays, then don’t look at them. You always tell us Christians to do that so now you should take your own advice.
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:03pm
  @RealLiibertarian In 1776, 98% of Americans were Protestant Christian. I highly doubt they meant Jupiter or the flying Spaghetti, or to also include them therein.
  
  George Washington said, in his Inaugural Address (1789), “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens… With slight shades of difference, YOU HAVE THE SAME RELIGION, manners, habits, and political principles.”
  
  Andrew Jackson boldly stated, “That book [the Holy Bible], Sir, is the Rock upon which our republic rests.”
  
  Va Bill of Rights, written by Father of the Constitution (Madison), Father of the Bill of Rights (Mason), states, “It is the mutual duty of all to practice CHRISTIAN forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.”
  
  James Madison said, “Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.”
  
  The first national Thanksgiving Proclamations were those issued by the Continental Congress between 1777 and 1784. http://www.pilgrimhall.org/GivingThanks3c.htm The first one says, “…that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST”
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:10pm
  John Adams, in his Inaugural Address (1797), stated: “With humble reverence, I feel it to be my duty to add, if a veneration FOR THE RELIGION OF A PEOPLE who profess and call themselves CHRISTIANS, and a fixed resolution to consider A DECENT RESPECT FOR CHRISTIANITY among the best recommendations FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE, can enable me in any degree to comply with your wishes, it shall be my strenuous endeavor that this sagacious injunction of the two Houses shall not be without effect. With this great example before me, with the sense and spirit, THE FAITH and honor, the duty and interest, OF THE SAME AMERICAN PEOPLE pledged to support the Constitution of the United States, I entertain no doubt of its continuance in all its energy, and my mind is prepared without hesitation to lay myself under the most solemn obligations to support it to the utmost of my power.”
  
  Jefferson, in a letter to Henry Lee (1825), said the Declaration of Independence “was intended to be an expression OF THE AMERICAN MIND”.
  
  A cover letter by John Hancck (1776) was attached to the Declaration of Independence, as it was sent to the British authorities, read, “Altho it is not possible to forsee the consequences of human actions, yet it is nevertheless a duty we owe ourselves and posterity IN ALL OUR PUBLIC COUNCILS to decide in the best manner we are able and to trust the event to That Being who governs both causes and events, so as to bring about his own determinations.”
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:19pm
  In 1854 the House Judiciary Committee said, “in this age, there is no substitute for Christianity… That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.”
  
  In Cotting v. Godard, 183 U.S. 79 (1901), the Supreme Court stated:
  
  The first official action of this nation declared the foundation of government in these words: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “While such declaration of principles may not have the force of organic law, or be made the basis of judicial decision as to the limits of right and duty, and while in all cases reference must be had to the organic law of the nation for such limits, yet the latter is but the body and the letter of which the former is the thought and the spirit, and it is always safe to read the letter of the Constitution in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. No duty rests more imperatively upon the courts than the enforcement of those constitutional provisions intended to secure that equality of rights which is the foundation of free government.”
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:22pm
  In a letter to Charles Thomson (1816), Jefferson wrote regarding his book, The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth:
  
  “No one sees with greater pleasure than myself the progress of reason in its advance toward rational Christianity, and my opinion is that if nothing had ever been added to what flowed from His lips, the whole world would at this day been Christian… Had there never been a commentator there never would have been an infidel. I have little doubt that the whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator, and, I hope, to the pure doctrines of Jesus also.”
  
  John Adams said, “The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’.”
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:23pm
  Lindenmuller v. The People, 1860 Supreme Court of New York, “It would be strange that a people Christian in doctrine and worship, many of whom or whose forefathers had sought these shores for the privilege of worshiping God in simplicity and purity of faith, and who regarded religion as the basis of their civil liberty and the foundation of their rights, should, in their zeal to secure to all the freedom of conscience which they valued so highly, solemnly repudiate and put beyond the pale of the law the religion which was dear to them as life and dethrone the God who they openly and avowedly professed to believe had been their protector and guide as a people.”
  
  Washington, in a letter to Brig. General Thomas Nelson (1778), declared, that “the Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”
  
  I STAND WITH OUR FOUNDERS.
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 2:32am
  @GIT-R-DONE
  
  Please name a time where I ever such a comment and please explain what the reference is about.
  
  I think you’re projecting here.
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 2:42am
  @COLT1860
  
  Please show me anything in our Constitution, or Declaration of Independence that says we should be ruled by Biblical law or Christianity.
  
  I never argued that some of our founders were Christians. Some were deists and some were free thinkers but they all came together and decided that we had to have a secular form of government that wasn’t ruled by religion.
  
  You people seem to constantly miss that point.
  
  What’s so hilarious is to see you people fight to say that all of our founders were devout Christians and then when it gets pointed out that they as Christians, owned other human beings and treated women like second class citizens you say, “Christianity doesn’t teach that!”
  
  Oh, yes, it does, very much so.
  
  I love seeing you quote Jefferson as if he is a common day Christian, when he’s not. Jefferson viewed Jesus as a moral teacher(which he certainly wasn’t).
  
  “It is too late in the day for men of sincerity to pretend they believe in the Platonic mysticisms that three are one, and one is three; and yet that the one is not three, and the three are not one . . . But this constitutes the craft, the power and the profit of the priests. Sweep away their gossamer fabrics of factitious religion, and they would catch no more flies.”
  
  Individual thoughts are regardless to me, I care what got put into the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and the only reference you’ll find is to a “Creator.” My parents created me, as yours did y
  
  Report this comment
- grmlain
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 5:16am
  It has been going on at that park for over 60 years now. The bigots that hate free speech and Christians are just out to destroy everything that our country has stood for since its beginning. Putting this up for Christmas is part of Christmas. If you do not like it do not go to that park!! Pretty simple. The bigoted anti Christian hate groups are just trying to force their ways upon the rest of us and we do not want their hatred forced on us. You bigots can go out in the woods and do whatever you all do but leave the majority of the good people who enjoy Christmas and Thanksgiving to enjoy it the way it has been for many decades in America. Puttying up a Nativity scene is not forcing anything upon you or your kind, just look the other way or walk away or do not go there. I would not go to your gatherings or whatever you do so just do the same. That is what is supposed to happen in America before the morons and libs decided they should be able to force their ways upon everyone else. What I do is my business as long as it does not cause you physical harm and the same goes for you. It is called common respect. Do not tell me or the majority what we can do or not do and we will not tell you that you cannot do whatever you do. For some reason libs always seem to think they can do what they want but everyone else is supposed to stop doing what they want because the libs do not like it. LIBS the great destroyers of America and Freedom!!!!
  
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- colt1860
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:58am
  We should not be “ruled”, but guided and influenced by that grand Being who created us and entrusted us with certain unalienable Rights and duties. Our founders believed we should hold His sacred Word in reverence. Our greatest struggles for Rights were led by godly men, and religious societies.
  
  VERY FEW were “free thinkers” or Deists. The super Majority were Protestant Christian. They detested the Pope, Priestly rule, and favored pure Biblical Christianity. Your mistake is in labeling anything under “religion”, and mixing religion and faith as practiced in America, with that practiced in socialist Europe.
  
  You people seem to constantly miss that point.
  
  What’s so hilarious is to see you people fight to say our founders owned other human beings, when in fact, many tried to free their slaves, but their state laws made it impossible.
  
  It’s funny to see you try to debate concerning theological topics. The fact that Jehovah Witnesses dismiss the trinity, does not exempt them from Christendom, or being called Christian by the world. There was a small movement, in Virgina, during our founding, that tried to return to a plain and simple Christianity. Jefferson was an adherent to this following. Funny how you folks try to paint Jefferson as hostile to or dismissive of religion, morality or virtue, when in fact, he advocated for such things, and attempted to make them pure. You guys are diffusional, radical and greatly misinformed.
  
  Report this comment
Moozmom
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:59pm
Reminds me of the hymn, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”. Finally, finally Christians are standing up and saying enough is enough. Great to see. Santa Monica could have so much going for it during the holidays.

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colt1860
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:57pm
I vote for all council members of Santa Monica to work on Christmas Day.

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chickenfried
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:52pm
I don’t believe in atheists

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- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 9:38pm
  I don’t believe in you.
  
  Report this comment
- Git-R-Done
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 10:46pm
  WV – We don’t need you to believe in us. Nobody likes you hatetheists anyway.
  
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AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:45pm
Wow, and in CA. Awesome, there are still some Christian’s there.. People forget that Jesus stood up for us and died on the cross.. so we could live.. Its about time that Christian’s fight back and stand up for Jesus! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Luckily I live in a state where we haven’t been attacked by athiest to much… but I would be the first to tell these unbelievers to take there disbelief and stick it. I will stand up for Jesus!

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- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 9:44pm
  Jesus stood up for you and died on the cross to appease himself so that we wouldn’t burn eternally because he put a magic tree in a garden knowing full well that we were going to eat it and burn forever in hell without himself coming and sacrificing himself to himself. Besides, it wasn’t a sacrifice. He came back 3 days later. Our soldiers sacrifice more when they die because they aren’t coming back.
  
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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 10:50pm
  WV – Just b/c Jesus was resurrected doesn’t mean he didn’t sacrifice. There is something greater than this earth and you can’t stand that thought.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:05pm
  No Git, I have no evidence that something like your god exists. There’s a big difference.
  
  I can’t stand the thought of your god existing though. Your god is disgusting.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:06pm
  Also Git, what did Jesus sacrifice if he knew he was going to come back? 9 hours of pain? Pregnant women go through more than that often times.
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:36pm
  “Our soldiers sacrifice more when they die because they aren’t coming back.”
  
  Many of our good soldiers are Christian. And they are coming back, albeit with thousands of saints, and in the command of our Lord Christ Jesus, to get rid of all the sick, perverse, evil, wicked, disgraceful, unrepentant men of this world.
  
  Following the bitter winter of 1777-1778 and while still encamped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, General George Washington issued a General Order which included this passage:
  
  “While we are zealously performing the duties of good Citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of Religion. To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of Christian.”
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:18am
  “Many of our good soldiers are Christian. And they are coming back, albeit with thousands of saints, and in the command of our Lord Christ Jesus, to get rid of all the sick, perverse, evil, wicked, disgraceful, unrepentant men of this world.”
  
  Colt, that statement shows me the absolute sickening depravity that your religion has put in you. You see the world as so evil that most of the people who have ever existed deserve to burn in eternal torment. Tens of billions of people. It’s absolutely sick. I could understand if you had said I believe God is going to come back and do this but you actually endorse it. Sick.
  
  Report this comment
- filiusdracul
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 9:26am
  WV you say you have no evidence, but you have not put in the due diligence to find God. That is why you will never understand religion.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:14am
  Filius,
  
  I am against your god anyway (assuming its the Chriatian god) so even if it does exist, it wouldn’t make a difference in my thinking.
  
  I cannot accept the dictates of a cosmic despot when those dictates offend everything I understand of morality.
  
  I came to the realization while watching the Hellraiser films that if I am morally disturbed by demons dragging people to hell for eternal torture, the. I must be equally offended by a God who would do the same. Almost all of the people you have ever met will someday be cast into hell for not following the moral codes set forth by your god. That is evil. So if your god does exist, it does not matter to me.
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:07pm
  @wvernon1981 The fact that you don’t want Hitler or Mussolini to face a final judgement wherein they will have to pay for their evil is SICK. The fact that you don’t want infirmities, perversion, disease, and misery to end is SICK. The fact that you don’t want rapists, murderers, thieves, child molesters, terrorists, dictators, and psychos who got away to stand before judgement to account for their crimes is SICK. The fact that you are alright for the world to continue in its fallen state with death, violence and injustice is SICK.
  
  “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:14, Amen!
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 4:44pm
  No. I dot want them to pay for finte crimes with infinite torture that never ends. It’s absolutely bloodthirsty. I don’t believe in retributive justice at all because it accomplishes nothing. You just want your pound of flesh. That makes you and your god sadistic because you wan to see people suffer for an eternity without end. Do you not have any empathy at all?
  
  Report this comment
- colt1860
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 6:01pm
  Do you have any sympathy for the victims and their families who now have to live without a father or mother, or hath suffered great harm and torture by criminals?
  
  Do you understand that your sentiment is disgusting?
  
  You don’t believe in accountability or responsibility. PLEASE, don’t accuse or report anyone that attempts to murder, rape or torture anyone close to you. It would be sick to have him live in cell all his life, and fed only baloney, and never wear another set of clothes. Poor murderer.
  
  You’re sick.
  
  Report this comment
- wvernon1981
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 9:38pm
  I’m talking abou hell. No someone going to jail for a finite amount of time to either protect people frrom them or to correct them. Torturing someone for eternity corrects no wrongs.
  
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- colt1860
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:20pm
  But torturing someone for finite amount of time is OK?
  
  So what happens to the guy that gets away with rape and murder? That’s it? He lives the rest of his life happy go lucky? There will never be justice? Ever?
  
  What a miserable world to live in…
  
  Report this comment
floridareader
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:21pm
Although for years liberals/commies and atheists have tried to take God away from public life, for what I recall the war against God and Christmas gained strength between 2008 and 2009, when Barack Hussein Obama appeared in the presidential race.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/us/02atheist.html?_r=0
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2008/10/signs_wonders_the_atheist_bus.html

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I Aint PC
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:15pm
The more the atheists push to have all Biblical references removed, the more credibility they are giving to the meaning of those references. If an atheist was a true atheist, then the sight of something they do not believe in, would not have any meaning to them and would not bother them. If the sight of something Biblical offends an atheist, then they are admitting that they believe the Biblical object means something, and denying their own atheistic beliefs. The sight of “nothing” does not offend me, even though “nothing” is the belief of the atheist. If seeing “nothing” bothered me, then I would be strengthening the argument for atheism.

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:14pm
.
There is also talk of an airline strike on November 20th.
The evil liberals will do anything within it’s power to destroy Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The conservative American people, with the help of God, should do everything within our power, to prevent it from happening.

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2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:52pm
I’m all for Christmas but the picture of the nativity scene looked more like a scene from Star Wars. Are we sure this was actually a nativity scene or is George Lucas running low on money again?

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:46pm
Christians are still the majority. Those in Santa Monica (and everywhere) should unite politically and vote out the mayor and the council and spread that idea to National Politics.

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Thornyrose13
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:41pm
The easiest way to avoid the problem is for people that wish to put up religious displays to place them on private property. This removes the separation of church and state issue. The second thing is, as an atheist, I wish other atheist do not make such a big deal of this. It’s a temporary display, once a year, celebrating a legal holiday. There are plenty of non-religious elements to Christmas that I do not see why people shouldn’t also use the religious elements too. It is, after all, a holiday derived from Christianity(which itself usurped various pagan festivals and holidays to “Christianize” them. Finally, it’s a matter of fair play. If Christians do set up Christmas displays on public grounds, then if other religions wish to set up displays based on their religion, they should be allowed to do so.
It is a shame that people on both sides insist on waging this war, especially during the one time a year people actually halfway try to be nice to each other. Some atheists act like the grinch. Some Christians try to shove their religious views, via such displays, like they are fighting a literal war. I suggest the majority of us ignore them and just enjoy the holidays whatever our beliefs.

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- summerdawn
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:33pm
  I agree – I’m tired of some Atheists who try to force their NON BELIEF on others – its as bad as some Christians trying to force their BELIEF on those who don’t want to be witnessed to. I do not share the mainstream religious view, but appreciate the fact that they have a belief in something MORE POWERFUL than themselves – no matter what name they call it! I’m not a Christian, but I DO NOT have a problem with nativity displays… If the display brings out the good in the believers then I’m all for it! I think the city SHOULD allow the display, but also section out the park if needed to allow displays for other beliefs, ie: Jewish, Atheist, Buddhist, Pagan, etc. The Atheists in question need to remember the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
  
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Lois150
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:39pm
Merry Christmas!

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- db321
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:49pm
  Last Christmas, in Texas we had a Atheist group trying to take down a Nativity Scenes – Here is how Texans fought back – Bring it to Texas you sons of Satan Atheists!
  
  http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/thousands-rally-to-save-nativity-scene.html
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:39pm
  You rock DB321….. : )
  
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Daveed
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:34pm
The support the Christians. You go God’s people! I will be praying for blessings for you all overflowing abundant blessings from the throne of God, in his son’s name, Jesus Christ. Amen

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ConservativeCanucklehead
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:28pm
“… the Santa Monica City Council voted to prevent any and all religious displays on public property.”

What can be wrong with that?

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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 10:48pm
  It violates freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
  
  But since when do you Marxists believe in those concepts anyway?
  
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- ConservativeCanucklehead
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 11:17pm
  Uhhh, no … it doesn’t. Not at all.
  
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Ilikepeople
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:27pm
They’ll dig gutters, you’ll fall into them which, then they think they have a pile to keep them afloat, and the people who struggle to not fall in the gutters – they’ll live off the money you make them.

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Ilikepeople
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:23pm
All the people who dug all the gutters – it was their sin, because the light of the lord goes through everyone, and they just don’t have much fruit to absorb the light. Just like even today.

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Freebird
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:22pm
“In June, looking to avoid further controversy, the Santa Monica City Council voted to prevent any and all religious displays on public property.”

It wasn’t enough to limit a Christmas tradition to a reduced amount of space.This year they’ve decided to eliminate all “religious displays”.

I’m sure the atheists will argue their displays aren’t “religious”,and therefore should be allowed.

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sndrman
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:20pm
h

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momrules
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:20pm
Same old hate God, hate Jesus Christ, hate Christians and Christmas from the same old atheists.

They remind me so much of Muslims. They even have very deep pockets from some source that pays them to hate year round, kind of like the Muslims have C.A.I.R. and the Muslim Brotherhood.

I will simply say God bless you to all Christians that are fighting this scourge. God will remember you and He will remember them.

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- Tractorboy
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:48pm
  Why do all the atheists get so upset about this? it’s just a scene of a birthday party!…….Fellow Christains please pray for discernment for the leaders of our country, and those who will be..God Bless
  
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Shrugged
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:12pm
Athiestism is a religion, so I hope they are also banned from any displays. After all, the solstice was a part of a God fearing society where the sun had a diety image. . . . .

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- I Aint PC
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 7:19pm
  The city of Santa Monica will have to put something up in the park. If they leave it empty, they they are endorsing atheism- which is belief in “nothing”.
  
  By the way, Santa Monica means St Monica. She was the mother of St Augustine. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_Santa_Monica_mean
  
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damon_k
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:09pm
The atheists and others who feel as they do always forget the Constitutions free exercise clause in the first amendment. Read political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/

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Git-R-Done
Posted on October 11, 2012 at 6:05pm
What else do you expect from crazy hatetheists who get offended by every little thing on this planet.

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