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Update: Navy Base Cuts Live Nativity From ‘Holiday Tree’ Ceremony, Moves to Chapel Following Atheist Complaints

Dec. 17, 2012 8:20pm Billy Hallowell

Earlier this month, TheBlaze reported that, following a complaint from the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF), an atheist activist group, the U.S. Navy cancelled an annual live nativity tradition on a Bahrain base. But now, just days after furor surrounded the decision, Military.com is reporting that the event is back on and rescheduled for Christmas eve.

Initially, the MAAF claimed that the presence of a nativity scene in a majority-Muslim country was dangerous to servicemen. Additionally, the group alleged that the military was violating the U.S. Constitution by allowing the event to unfold. As previously noted, the nativity, which was slated to unfold at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, is a tradition that has been going on for the past few years.

“It’s unconstitutional, it’s bad for the military and in a Muslim country it’s dangerous,” Jason Torpy, a spokesperson for MAAF, said in an interview with Fox News earlier this month.

When the controversy first emerged following the MAAF complaint, the Navy purportedly sent the atheist group the following statement:

“Upon further review, the CRP (Command Religious Program) will be removing the Living Nativity Program from the general base secular holiday festivities and co-locating it more appropriately with some of our other private religious and faith-based observances at the chapel at a separate time.”

The Navy, bowing to demands that the nativity be removed from general base holiday celebrations, has made good on its promise and rescheduled the display inside of the chapel.

Navy Moves Live Nativity Display to Chapel Following Atheist Claim That Its Unconstitutional & Dangerous

A before (left) and after (right) of the fliers advertising the Christmas celebration (Photo Credit: ChristianFighterPilot.com)

“The Nativity scene being held on…Dec. 24 will be very similar to the originally scheduled program,” base spokeswoman Jennifer Stride said, declining to explain the initial reasoning for the event’s initial cancellation.

The MAAF is accusing conservative media outlets of distorting the original story and claiming that the group never wanted the event cancelled; instead, the atheist organization explained that it pushed for the procession to be cut out of the base’s general holiday celebration.

Regardless of how the issue is framed, the initial plans were cancelled and the event was moved to a more private locality due to the secularist complaint. Here’s how the MAAF has responded to the controversy on its web site:

This is the win-win outcome requested by MAAF and originally reported in this article. The prevailing right wing narrative, “Navy Cancels Nativity over Atheist Complaint” was misleading at best when posted and is now proven to be factually incorrect. [...]

The way the right-wing media tells it, we secularists literally raise Hell every time we hear the word Christmas. Not so. Christmas is a federal holiday because of its broad appeal and secular celebration of American values like family and charity. Many non-Christians enjoy Christmas carols, presents, decorations, and the general holiday cheer. Some even enjoy religious Christmas celebrations so long as they are outside the context of official government endorsement and mandatory military events.

So, there you have it. The official base celebration involves lighting a “holiday tree.” The Christmas nativity tradition — the main cause for the celebratory season — has been cut out of this portion of the base’s observance and has been moved to the chapel and away from the communal space.

(H/T: Military.com)

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Related:

Navy Bans Live Nativity on U.S. Base Following Atheist Complaints

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Comments (64)

Remember_Benghazi
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:36pm
Secularism wins, once again. Thank you, Thomas Jefferson, for your foresight.

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VanGrungy
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:06pm
did you know that Atheists claim the Government and all taxes as their church and alms giving?

That’s how they think

islam is a government… atheists have taken our government away…

why do you think it’s so easy for the muslims to infiltrate.

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- revel222
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:40am
  I am temporarily in Abu Dhabi at Christmas and there are more Christmas decorations and ceremonies and Christmas shows than any American could imagine. You can buy Christmas trees anywhere. The stores are decorated. There are nativity scenes to be found without question. Bahrain is not far from here and we are talking about a base. A lot of Americans would probably think “oh’, it’s because they are in a Middle Eastern country”. Well, I am here to tell you that there is more freedom to express your religion here than in our own country anymore. Is this what you’re after?
  
  Report this comment
- revel222
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:08am
  Bahrain has many Americans living there now. It is a blended culture. You wouldn’t imagine this going on: (Gulf Weekly News)
  
  • The American Women’s Association has announced its 29th annual fall Craft Fair, themed ‘Holiday Festival’, to be held on October 27 in the Palm Hall of the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The Mercure Grand Seef Hotel is facilitating this event for the AWA.
  
  • The fair will offer festive decorations that include hand painted ornaments, festive home décor, angels, wreaths and candle pots, painted glass, porcelain items, original paintings, charity greeting cards, prints, homemade pastries, silk paintings, clothes, toys and more. The AWA Bake Shoppe will provide with cakes and sweets.
  
  A lot of people sit at home thinking the Middle East has remained he same by watching TV. TV is not accurate. They only show you what they want you to see. Get out on the internet and see the world. It is not all Afghanistan and Iraq here and turmoil. Santa is even in the malls with his toy shop. You are being brainwashed and controlled by these people. They want you to eventually give in which is the first step in controlling you. Watch out…gun control is next and then your property.
  
  Report this comment
- coldnorth
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 4:52am
  @ MAAF,
  It’s freedom of Religon, not freedom from religon. You shouldn’t get your pantys in a wad because servicemembers want to gather and express their faith. You’re supposed to be free thinkers? Why does it bother you?
  Besides, plenty of muslims will tell you Allah has no eyes in Bahrain.
  
  Report this comment
VanGrungy
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:56pm
Atheists are Domestic enemies.

they know it too.

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taintso
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:29pm
I guess when the flood gates open for the ****** immigrants into our Nation that was founded on the Christian theology, we will have to tear down our churches etc as not offend the ******* and if we resist the use the Atheist controlled military to destroy us along with the churches.

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RIGHTWINGHATEMACHINE
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:24pm
Another win for common sense and the constitution.

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- TeresaJ
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:55pm
  Still a loss for the moment. It was still moved from the main celebration to a military chapel. It’s like banning the American flag on the 4th of July while still having the fireworks.
  
  Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth. If you are celebrating Christmas, that is what you are celebrating. It is a national holiday. No banning of it in any way, shape, or form is Constitutional.
  
  Report this comment
TASS50
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:20pm
One day they will meet God and then what.

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- RIGHTWINGHATEMACHINE
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:24pm
  Thats not a fact. Just your opinion. You cant prove god exists.
  
  Report this comment
- Pnis
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:40pm
  One day you will meet Odin and realize you were worshiping the wrong god. Then what?
  
  Report this comment
- ScienceIsNotEvil
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:47pm
  If said deity exists I will simply ask why he could not be bothered to do a damn thing about the starving kids on this planet. For a father he sure doesn’t take care of his kids.
  
  Report this comment
- kaydeebeau
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:45am
  @ science? – if God did as you suggst,then you would be screaming at Him for controlling your life and not allowing your freedom. Bad things happen because people chose not to follow what God says is the best course of action.
  
  Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:14pm
“It’s unconstitutional, it’s bad for the military and in a Muslim country it’s dangerous,”
***
News to the MAAF. It is illegal & dangerous to be an avowed atheist in a Muslim country.

You chances as a Jew or Christian are much better than an atheist. Some would consider you as people of the book, respect that to an extent & probably try to convert you. They would have less respect for an atheist. It is iffy, but you are better off being religious. It all depends on how “zealous” they are & what kind of day they having.

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702TruthSeeker
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:05pm
islam is very appealing nowadays, there is an islamic state (Iran) and an entire region of the world where people’s beliefs are respected. christians get pissed on every day and they put up with it…

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702TruthSeeker
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:03pm
all i can say is R.I.P. U.S.A.

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- RIGHTWINGHATEMACHINE
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:26pm
  RIP to theocracy.
  
  Hello to the true USA. Where freedom of and from religion exists!!! Too bad you right wingers cant see that.
  
  Report this comment
- VanGrungy
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:57pm
  rwhm
  
  When it all falls apart, we know now that muslims are right, atheists deserve to die.
  
  Report this comment
- Pnis
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:06pm
  And this my friends is the problem with religion. They are intolerant of other peoples beliefs and when challenged, they immediately resort to violence and death threats. In all my time on the Blaze, I’ve never heard one atheist threatening violence because the Christians were saying horrible things. Yet Christians threatening violence is an occurrence on almost every thread. This is a sign of people who can’t defend their views through logic and debate.
  
  Report this comment
- 702TruthSeeker
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:42pm
  members of our military are dying to protect their right to keep their beliefs to themselves!? priceless… the comment above wasn’t a threat of violence, it’s just a statement saying that this country is dead. Since there aren’t enough atheists, muslims, jews, and other non-christians to keep your rights protected and the christians are being told to keep their beliefs to themselves, how do you think that’s going to work out for you? You are forget that the majority of the people in this country are christians and by ******* in their face every day, you’re not doing yourselves any favors. All you secularists are happy that this is happening, but if you had a single ounce of brain in your scull you would realize that the only reason you can spew your hate is because of all those CHRISTIANS who died protecting that right. so go ahead and cheer, your happiness will be short lived
  
  Report this comment
garbagecanlogic
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:51pm
After 20 years in the military (4 of it in the Air Force), I am becoming embarrased to say that I served.

Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

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taintso
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:38pm
I was proud to have served in the navy 60′s how ever now that I see this it makes me think they are no longer serving God and Country and only serve Government, what a shame.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:45pm
  Thanks to welfare reform many slackers joined the Military to keep that Government check rolling in and were not in it for the Honor of serving.
  
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nonofmybiznez
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:05pm
I was thinking we should just cancel Christmas. I hate what the holiday has become. The presents and the shopping are so far from the way I would prefer to celebrate Christ’s birth. I would prefer to stay home and cook a good meal and enjoy our family and praise God. Spend time with those you love and make sure you love your neighbors too.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:26pm
  it is only this way because a nation of sheep have gone along with it for generations. Take a stand – but it wont be easy. Do what you think is right and start a trend…That is the spirit of Ron Paul – lol
  
  Report this comment
stopprintn
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:56pm
I had an old Master Srgt. that woulda cramed a Cristmas tree up one of these freethinkers arses. Ya cant call a Christmas tree a Chrismas tree, or a terrorist a terrorist. Why not just run up a white flag each morning and leave the frigging stars and stripes in the walllocker. This crap really ruffles my feathers.

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- Dan_o
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:13pm
  There’s a reason the word ******* exists. A ******* thinks the constitution has a separation of church and state clause when it really says gov’t shall not establish a religion.
  
  Report this comment
- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:38pm
  I guess we have to wonder what exactly are we fighting for ?
  Certainly no longer is it our rights and freedoms or our heritage and customs they are being all stripped away.
  
  Report this comment
rickc34
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:56pm
Satan and his horde have been attacking followers of God since the Garden of Eden. And where are they now? The Church is still going strong and Satan and the left are still attacking, but we win in the end and they lose everything. So sad. Atheist, Homosexuals , Muslims same thing so full of hate.

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- RIGHTWINGHATEMACHINE
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:27pm
  Speaking of hate. Did you go back and read your own comment? Bc there was more hate in it than not. Hypocrite!
  
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- Yuuperguy
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 8:47am
  Maybe you should read your Bible again, nowhere does it say Satan was in the Garden of Eden. It says
  “the serpent, the most clever of all creatures.” tempted Eve. Never says it’s Satan, or for that matter what the sex of the serpent was. (Other religions describe the serpent differently but never as Satan) Not attacking your religion, just your interpretation of it. As for the Nativity, what’s wrong with holding it in the Chapel? It’s not as if the Atheists are putting up a display of their own on government property. I don’t see the problem.
  
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M40-A1
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:44pm
Who would have thought all it takes to defeat the U.S. Navy is a bunch of cowardly atheists. To all of you atheists; I’m sick and tired of you shoving your beliefs down my throat. Go to hell. Oh, you are! Never mind.

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- Pnis
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:02pm
  Yep, being an atheist is pure hell. Sleeping late on Sundays, fornicating, using birth control, drinking, eating meat on Fridays during lent…
  
  Report this comment
- RIGHTWINGHATEMACHINE
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:29pm
  You have it backwards. The hateful right wing religeous zealots are the ones more often than not shoving their religion down peoples throats!!!
  
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Small World
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:42pm
As a christian the atheist offend me..so now what ?? Don’t these people know Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus !!! Why do they celebrate the birth of Jesus??? I am so confused .

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- Pnis
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:58pm
  It isn’t about Jesus. It’s about gifts and food and family and drinking. The majority of people could give a rats @ss about the religious aspects of Christmas.
  
  Report this comment
- Small World
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:14pm
  Jesus is the only reason for the season.
  
  Report this comment
- alinmatt
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:34pm
  @smallworld, I thought the celebrating of the winter solstice was a pagan thing. You know, the birth or rebirth of the sun god. Christians just hijacked it.
  
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G.E.R
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:41pm
The display should’ve been at chapel with the rest of the religious crap in the first place

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Truth and Justice
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:34pm
Athiests hate when people have a good time!!!

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:39pm
  The only fair and just solution then is to let the atheist take everybody else’s duty, and the Christians on base to simply go on leave en masse.
  
  Report this comment
dublinthewagons
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:31pm
Well did they use the holiday tree to hang the athist from?

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- Small World
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:43pm
  Love it !!!
  
  Report this comment
DougHuffman
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:31pm
I did my time while Rickover and Zumwalt were alive and we called our shipmates O & E by their given names. The grrlz are welcome to this canoe-club. SCROOM

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soybomb315_II
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:30pm
Indeed, it may be a better idea for the chapel to handle it. Government never does anything right – including religion

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SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:30pm
I guess a don’t ask don’t tell tree is out of the question also.

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FISH_BONE
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:28pm
Why not put up a Festivus Pole and invite Achmed over for some Feats of Strength?

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toiletclogga
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:24pm
Freethinkers my ass!

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- HorseCrazy
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:01pm
  yes more like party poopers or close minded fools. I am so tired of this garbage.
  
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- alinmatt
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:43pm
  I’m going to guess that neither one of you two have ever genuinely challenged your Bible. Try reading it from an objective perspective. Try reading it with the same skepticism you would give to the book of Mormon or the Quran.
  
  Report this comment
perry1980
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:23pm
If you Don’t or can’t say Christmas Tree then don’t even bother putting one up

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- Steelhead
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:36pm
  Christmas trees , easter eggs and horse feathers- these are all make believe
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:15pm
  Steelhead
  A prayer at the very least is as good as an affirmation.
  
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