Faith

Atheists Praise Latest Victory: 60-Year Nativity & Religious Display Tradition Banned in Santa Monica

Christmas may still be six months away, but that hasn’t stopped atheists from successfully pursuing a ban on nativity and religious scenes at Palisades Park in Santa Monica, California. Back in December, The Blaze first told you about the war that secularists have been waging against a “Christmas Story” scene that has been present in the park for nearly six decades.

(Related: Calif. Atheists Successfully Nudge Out ‘Offensive’ Nativity Display)

As we previously reported, each year, a giant two-block long depiction offers visitors 14 nativity scenes that are presented in life-size form. But this week, atheists, who have been on the offensive for quite some time, have finally succeeded in having the traditional display banned.

Santa Monica Bans Nativity Display in Palisades Park, Atheist Applaud

A photo from the nativity (Image Credit: Hunter Jameson)

Last December, recognizing an opportunity to create some angst, non-believers began getting boisterous about the Christian display. The Los Angeles Times has more about the lottery drama that unfolded:

Last year, after requests for display space exceeded the space allotted, the city held a lottery to allocate slots fairly and legally. Atheists won 18 of the 21 plots. A Jewish group that sets up a menorah won another. The Nativity story that once took 14 displays to tell had to be crammed into two plots.

Controversy raged, with many residents arguing that the traditional Nativity scenes should be preserved and others saying that the lottery was important to ensure neutrality. Some residents said they would prefer ocean views to any displays at all.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to ban the traditional, display (the vote was 5-0, with two members of the council absent and, thus, not casting their votes). At the meeting, 30 atheists and Christians testified, representing their views on the matter, but in the end, all faith symbols have been nixed from the park during future holiday seasons.

Santa Monica Bans Nativity Display in Palisades Park, Atheist Applaud

Image Credit: Santa Monica Nativity Scenes

City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie told the council that the drama has created some major First Amendment issues. Considering the overwhelming debate and free-speech angst, Moutrie said that banning religious displays is the best foot forward. In addition to the First Amendment issues, the attorney cited the likely escalation in cost for the city if, indeed, the lottery continues.

“Our research shows we can legally ban all unattended displays in parks,” Moutrie proclaimed.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s (FFRF) Annie Laurie Gaylor spoke out in support of the ban, admitting that atheists exploited the system and intentionally sought to have the display removed.

“The freethinkers…played the game of the religionists and they outsmarted them. They showed the Christian people of the city what it feels like to have a public park promoting views that offend your personal conscience,” she proclaimed. “These views were on public property that were supposed to be owned equally by everyone.”

Santa Monica Bans Nativity Display in Palisades Park, Atheist Applaud

The faith community, speaking through the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Commission, already submitted a petition to have the ban rescinded. The group, which represents 13 churches, presented 1,721 signatures against the act. However, the City Council was unswayed and the regulation is slated to take effect for all Santa Monica parks.

Rabbi Isaac Levitansky of the area’s Chabad, who organized the only Jewish display in the park, voiced his disappointment with the decision, while reiterating a pledge to continue promoting his faith.

“I feel bad that the city council and the city attorney could not find a medium to have the displays in public,” he proclaimed. “We will be putting around 60 public menorahs around Simcha Monica and if one goes down, two will go up.”

Comments (268)

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  • DrunkenDuck
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:18pm

    Is anyone really surprised? Santa Monica is a “hotbed” of democrat-party liberalism, student liberalism (nearby UCLA), Jewish liberalism (excluding my 22 per-center Jewish friends), and Hollywood wanna-be poser liberals. When I lived there they passed an ordinance favorable to helping or attracting the homeless to Santa Monica. It was very admirable until it backfired and every business and city street was inundated with the homeless, with drug deals going on in front of every 7-Eleven and MacDonald in the city. You were accosted when walking on every downtown city block constantly. When you pumped gas you were nearly always approached and sometimes aggressively threatened. The liberals actually started complaining in a political correct way of course.

    Report Post » DrunkenDuck  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:56pm

      Haha sounds like San Fransicko!
      http://gothamist.com/2011/10/18/public_pooping_masturbating_making.php

      Report Post » girlnurse  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:46pm

      Take a trip to Santa Monica and see what offends you more…a Nativity scene for a few days a year or the homeless throughout the area everyday of the year while tourists and locals ignore them.

      This is the peoples‘ republic of Santa Monica that we’re talking about. They banned shop owners from giving plastic bags to customers and the area is filled left over hippies and lefty kooks.

      Report Post »  
    • Drives Like Jehu
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:51pm

      This is so funny coming from a community with “saint” (gasp…a religious reference) in its name. They had better change their precious city name to Demonio Monica.

      Report Post » Drives Like Jehu  
    • Cesium
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:19pm

      I don‘t understand this need to display religious symbolism in publicly funded places unless it’s a war memorial and all the names on the memorial are of the same faith..If my jewish grandfather died in the war and was put under a cross my family would be damn offended… You own a building, you own the land you put your plastic religious crap on it or flamingos or whatever… What need does a public park have for crosses, or menorahs.. next thing you know you’ll have statues of muhammed, shiva, Joseph Smith…flying spahgetti monster This is America! You want to display your religious propaganda you work hard, you buy your own land and then you stick it there… If you own the park, then you get to stick your supernatural crap there if you want…

      Report Post »  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:52pm

      Why would anyone even want to be an Atheists ?

      Atheists come on here and belittle people, there mean and nasty, they attack people on here. Atheists on here use multiple profiles and user names.

      Atheists call anyone that disagrees with them ignorant, yet they don’t know the history of their own country, they don’t know the Bible, and the worst is, Atheists don’t even know the science behind life on earth or what it take to even start life. They lie, even when an Atheists knows the truth about some thing, like, history or the Bible, they will still lie and then justify it, because it’s for their cause.

      Charles Darwin is someone Atheists know nothing about. Darwin’s daughter died very young. Darwin was openly angry with God for the death of his daughter. Question: How can you be angry with something you don’t believe in ?

      Almost all Atheists I have ever met or spoken with, except very few, are Sadist. Atheists get pleasure from inflicting pain on others, especially on those that disagree with them. And then Atheists hide behind, “You are trying to force your religion on me.” I have friends that are Atheists, and Nativity scenes on public property don’t bother them, because they don’t believe in God.

      Atheists need your prayers, and I mean everyones. Atheists have really put themselves in a really bad spot.

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • binge_thinker
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:40pm

      We “lose” one but we’ll see how this goes on appeal, but we Win many, many more.

      Pledge and prayer are back at Weatherford council meetings

      http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/13/4029704/pledge-and-prayer-are-back-at.html

      Prayers will return to Franklin County meetings,

      http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/prayers-may-return-to-franklin-county-meetings-with-guidelines/article_18dc5222-7914-5fd3-8830-9572f1ac74f4.html

      Mayor Michael B. Coleman will host the city’s 13th annual Interfaith Prayer Luncheon today despite criticism from a national group that thinks the event is unconstitutional.

      http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/12/group-calls-mayors-prayer-lunch-illegal.html

      Don’t expect to see Warner Robins Mayor Chuck Shaheen change his ways as a result of a complaint by a group that advocates separation of church and state.

      http://www.macon.com/2012/06/09/2054379/shaheen-defends-ad-with-religious.html

      Suit dismissed against Warren for barring anti-religion display

      http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120607/METRO03/206070453/1361/Suit-dismissed-against-Warren-for-barring-anti-religion-display

      City Council brings back prayer

      http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/12/05/30/city-council-brings-back-prayer

      County Leaders Not Ready to Halt Prayer Before Meetings

      http://www.wdef.com/news/story/County-Leaders-Not-Ready-to-Halt-Prayer-Before/tFnt8U4DxU-s2VCf9vISeQ.cspx

      Knights of Columbus Joins Legal Defense of

      Report Post » binge_thinker  
    • paintbrushbright
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 12:04am

      The new religion of atheism in on the upturn! They are truly the unbelievers but have formed an alliance with self righteousness that sets them as the do-gooders of mankind. To overpower the freedom of religion with the excuse that it hurts their feelings. They have moved their power over our God with their own judgment with the help of a liberal judge that would also break down with wet tears if a cross crossed his path. They won this round and we Christians will forgive them for being offended but the next time this comes up we might not turn the other cheek and call for help from another religious group! Muslims.

      Report Post » paintbrushbright  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:05am

      LOL@ MacDonald. Somebody wandered away from their nursing home and wound up in a Star-buck.

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 12:15pm

      NOO. I can’t take it. Not the nativity display. Anything but that!!! My eyes!! ………………….get over yourselves.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • Balpit
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 1:13pm

      According to Annie Laurie Gaylor:
      “They showed the Christian people of the city what it feels like to have a public park promoting views that offend your personal conscience,”

      How does baby Jesus throw your personal conscience into wack? Because you don’t follow Christianity?
      Oh, so it‘s OK to be offended by a religious belief you don’t follow?
      Oh, wait…that privilege is for militant atheists only!
      If a Christian (or anyone else) dared follow that “be offended by religions you don’t follow” philosophy which the militant atheists embrace, they’re be tarred and feathered, then drawn and quartered for being intolerant.

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 3:29pm

      Time for private property owners to step up and put displays on their property. At this point no displays of any type should be erected in the park.

      Report Post »  
    • twill2118
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:48pm

      Your right Santa monica reminds me of sodium and gomora , those people are twisted. Wish they would turn and look and turn to salt. I am sick of them and their crap. You know they don’t believe or want to then shut up, don‘t look don’t listen. there are so many of us with religion and all believe in one GOD. So why is it they walk all over us time and time again. I am sick of it, it starts there parking lot, like taking prayer out of school and where is that not knowing woman in the ground. So why do we leave it like it is why are we not fighing for it to come back for our kids do we not have say anymore how our kids are raised? DO we not pay taxes where our kids go to school? Then why has the government not built different schools for them? Different malls, eating places? I am so sick of it. they want their own this and that then BY GOD let them raise their own money for it build their own crap religion free. Just like the ones who want to seperate them selves from anyone considered white well let them do the same. I say we need to go to change.org and start a petition is someone gives me input I will start it and we can all post it and get it circulated. we need to take a stand I am sick of us sitting back and letting this happen and just complaining.

      Report Post »  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 16, 2012 at 4:07pm

      They call themselves the “New athiests” Look at this website and watch the first short video of the four horsemen and keep in mind Christophr Hitchens (the one smoking and drinking whiskey) is now DEAD. Poor Chris…Needed a continuous escape and I mean he couldnt even do a short video without smoking and drinking whiskey….now he’s in hell:(
      http://newatheists.org/

      Report Post » girlnurse  
    • shogun459
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 10:14am

      CESIUM

      What is the Difference between the Atheists that are forcing the removal of christian memorials and symbols nationwide and the Islamists that blew up old Hindu religious monuments? The Atheist is aborting historical monuments and the Islamists are wiping out historical monuments.

      You are totally unaware that Atheist lawyers have successfully sued and Forced the removeing of the Symbols you speak of from the private property and buildings you say they should be display them from.

      Had the Atheists been around and had thier way we wouldn’t have any of the historic sites and monuments in Washington DC many of the great works of art in the world would not exist.
      It’s time to grow up and stop dreaming. These people are destroyers of the first order they are motivated by hate and con the weakminded to thier cause, unfairness in the name of fairness as it were.

      Report Post » shogun459  
  • Nevermind
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:13pm

    GeneralQuarters
    You will find in your experience, that atheists know very little about philosophy or history.

    *******************

    And most will find Christians seldom follow their own faith. I recall the line “ judge not lest ye be judged” and you are judging athiests as having a lack of historical knowledge. So either follow what the bible says and be a christian or dont expect others to take your faith seriously since you clearly cannot follow it yourself.

    God dont want no part time soldiers and the world needs less cafateria christians like you picking and choosing what parts to follow. And you wonder why peopel see christians as a joke. As Ghandi said “ I like your Christ but i dont like your christians for they are nothing like their Christ”

    Report Post »  
    • GeneralQuarters
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:22pm

      You quote one line, out of the bible no less and out of context, as usual and we are supposed to believe and follow you?

      Report Post »  
    • GeneralQuarters
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:23pm

      Faux atheist!

      Report Post »  
    • DJ in AZ
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:03pm

      That’s wonderful that you like Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It’s a step in the right direction.

      Report Post »  
    • 2SENSEWORTH
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:18pm

      Hey NEVERMIND – like so many like yourself you wrote, “I recall the line “ judge not lest ye be judged”. That’s half the thought quoted in Matthew 6:1 & 2. The next line, verse 2 says, “For in the way you judge, you will be judged…”

      I’m OK with that and wonderfully the Bible right there give us liberty to judge with that one consequence – we will be judged in the same way we judged. Do your homework before you half quote something again.

      Report Post » 2SENSEWORTH  
    • Baerlin
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:41pm

      We do judge, each and every day. And that is not the context in which the Lord meant this text. Please stop quoting what you know nothing about and read the entire text. Those who feel they don’t need God in their lives are lying to themselves. Who tells you it is wrong to steal if the world says the rule is survival of the fittest? If that is the rule of the world, then I will steal from you to make sure that my family survives. Haven’t you understood that yet?

      Report Post » Baerlin  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 12:08am

      @general

      I doubt he knows that it is out of context. If he had read the rest of the chapter he would have known it is instructions on how to properly make moral judgements. lol

      Report Post »  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:08am

      Oh Atheists don’t know much about history or philosophy. OK. Now I know. I guess my years of studying those subjects were my mistake. Can you spell “confirmation bias”, jackass?

      Report Post »  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:17am

      @lqtm

      So you know a lot about philosophy huh? care to tell me on what grounds you deny G-d?

      Report Post »  
    • shogun459
      Posted on June 17, 2012 at 10:23am

      Nevermind
      Throw out the Cliff Notes Bible your using it’s not helping your credibility AT ALL.

      Really should read the real Bible all the way through a couple of times and take notes then try again.

      Report Post » shogun459  
  • girlnurse
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:09pm

    The funny side of this (if there is one), is how scared the athiests are that they are seriously threatened by plastic baby Jesus. Like every time they look at Him, it makes them think about their sin. Lets see, are there really such things as flying fairies or Santa Claus? No, yet they don’t fight against those….they say there isno God–then why worry? They only want to bannish what causes their heart to sink and their minds to contemplate their guilty sin…..otherwise why wouldn’t they just move along and not even think about it IF there is no God???????

    Report Post » girlnurse  
    • GeneralQuarters
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:19pm

      I agree, atheists have to believe in God to hate Him as much as they do.

      Report Post »  
    • RealLiibertarian
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:43pm

      @Girlnurse- even if hedonism were a religion, it has as much right to exist as such, and be in the public square as your Christianity. You don’t get to choose which religious beliefs are acceptable and which may have access to the public pulpit.

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:51pm

      The second someone wants to start dictating laws based around the tooth fairy and Santa Claus, I will have a problem.

      Also, please think clearly about statements such as, “Atheists have to believe in God to hate him so much.”

      Uh, whatever you claim your God can do doesn’t scare me It makes me laugh. Your God doesn’t scare me, it’s his mindless followers who try to infringe on my life by passing laws that conform to their Bible that scares me.

      Report Post »  
    • TexasGodGunClinger
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:54pm

      Agreed, Girlnurse. Due to the fact that the United States of America was founded as a Christian nation there are countless displays of Christianity throughout the land. These fill atheists and those on the far left in general, with an irrational hatred. The name of JESUS causes them to experience knee-jerk reactions for the reasons you mentioned.

      I seriously doubt the display of other religious material (Wicca, Occult, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) would cause any alarm.

      The great equalizer is death. We will all be face-to-face with Jesus someday. As written in Romans 14:9-12:

      9.) For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10.) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11.) It is written:

      “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me;
      every tongue will confess to God.’” (Isaiah 45:23)

      12.) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

      Report Post » TexasGodGunClinger  
    • Wolfgang the Gray
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:10pm

      Exactly. I don’t see Atheists trying to ban Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. If they think God is an imaginary figure, then shouldn’t they fight to ban all imaginary figures?

      I have no problem with seeing Menorahs around Christmas time, no do I have a problem with Kwanzza, Tet, or Ramadan. I don’t see the Atheists going after Islam like they are Christianity.

      I just don’t see how the Atheists can try to change a nation that was founded on “One Nation Under God.” No doubt they will try to rewrite history as well.

      “We are never defeated unless we give up on God”. – Ronald Reagan

      “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible”. – George Washington

      Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:30pm

      @WOLFGANG THE GRAY

      “Under God” wasn’t added to the pledge until 1954.

      Nice try though.

      Report Post »  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:14am

      I’m not scared. If you keep putting them outside of public institutions, you‘d better believe we’re coming for your little plastic dolls, and we’ll win in the end. That is one thing I have faith in, that humanity will overcome the ignorance of Christianity the same way it overcame the ignorance of Thor and the notion of flat Earth and the pharaoh gods. Humans are smarter than petty dogma and poorly translated bronze-age books. You people cling, and we will welcome your children or perhaps yourselves to “the fold” (I joke, we are hardly organized except by our common perspective) without resentment soon enough. There is no reason to fear reality. But go on believin’, it entertains me when it doesn’t result in tragedy.

      Report Post »  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 16, 2012 at 4:25pm

      LQTM said: “you‘d better believe we’re coming for your little plastic dolls, and we’ll win in the end…..”
      Those lil dolls are really haunting you ha??? You’re right…those are some scary lil plastic dolls.

      The professing atheist is what is commonly known as an “agnostic” – one who claims he “doesn’t know” if God exists. It is interesting to note that the Latin equivalent for the Greek word is “ignoramus.” The Bible tells us that this ignorance is “willful” (Psalm 10:4). It‘s not that a person can’t find God, but that he won’t. It has been rightly said that the “atheist” can‘t find God for the same reason a thief can’t find a policeman. He knows that if he admits that there is a God, he is admitting that he is ultimately responsible to Him. This is not a pleasant thought for some….Ray Comfort

      Report Post » girlnurse  
  • phillyatheist
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:05pm

    You want a nativity scene? Put it up on your untaxed church property.

    You want to play on public property? Then learn to play well with others.

    Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • GeneralQuarters
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:12pm

      I do and I will! Subject to public view!

      Report Post »  
    • Breezer
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:12pm

      Your attitude is un-American. What’s next on your chopping block? The Liberty Bell maybe?

      Report Post »  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:14pm

      You want evolution? You want to cram homosexuality down our throats? You want to have your public queers fests in the streets? You want to teach our kids the virtues of being queer? Keep it in your house…its a religion of hedonism and an abomination.

      Report Post » girlnurse  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:15pm

      just how kindergarteners sound when asked to play nice with others – stamping feet and huffing. very mature. you guys crack me up.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:27pm

      GIRLNURSE – i only want evolution because it’s science. creationism would be such a short course anyway. “Godditit. but let‘s discuss the problems with evolution while we’re here..”

      as far as the gays go – i guess to the religious everything is a religion. even homosexuality. amazing the lack of logic that occurs when Jesus is inhabiting the majority of your brain. leave some room for thinking.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • CougarNick78
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:39pm

      Take your free mind, and space, and go to Russia where you effing belong, you totalitarian. I bet you’d support the *******, since they hate Christians as much or more than you do. You’re a pathetic POS and no doubt some poor a$$ clown of a college kid.

      Report Post » CougarNick78  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:39pm

      @philly
      “…learn to play well with others.”
      Remind me again, who is telling who what they can and can’t do on public property? Cause from where I’m standing your the ones not playing nice. You say “What he does I disagree with. Make him leave. I don’t want him here.“ In all honesty it sounds as though your ”permitting” people to do what they want on public property is done begrudgingly.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:46pm

      COUGAR – i’m a 38 year old business owner.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:54pm

      @philly
      That should say:
      Your “permitting” people to do what they want on PRIVATE property…

      Report Post »  
    • b429
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:59pm

      PHILLYATHEIST = the only sane person. Seriously, it’s scary to think that people like the rest of you actually exist.

      Report Post »  
    • DJ in AZ
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:17pm

      You’re a Grinch, aren’t you. It ticks you off that people worship something that you don‘t or won’t try to comprehend. You can’t stand it that most people believe in a Father in Heaven and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Instead of following the Constitution and allowing all men to worship as they please, you have thrown a fit and can’t bear any of it…so you try to ruin it for everyone else.

      Nice try, but the majority still believe, and will worship Him. And you will continue to see the displays, and be a very angry person. I‘m sorry you can’t believe, and know, that God and Jesus live. You can still know for yourself if you will study the word of God and pray about it.

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:56pm

      @DJ IN AZ

      You can still worship, you can still pray.

      Please, put up a nativity scene on every piece of private property you own. I could care less, I think they’re nice to look at(albeit completely pointless). I wouldn’t care if every single house around me had a nativity scene on it. That’s not good enough for religion . They need to have it on public property. Private displays on private property isn’t enough. They want a government endorsement of their religion.

      Why do you think it wasn’t until the 1950s that “In God We Trust” and “Under God” were made our motto and added to our pledge? Because it wasn’t enough for religious people to worship privately in their daily lives. They want special recognition from government, that what they’re doing is okay and good. It’s a sick joke how religion talks about being a personal walk with your savior, but they spend more time with outward expressions and caring more about someone else’s walk.

      Report Post »  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:18am

      This is the law as our founding fathers established it, and the faithful have sought to undermine it for years. Uphold the constitution and keep religion a private thing, don’t impose it on others, and definitely don’t put it in front of government buildings. That directly violates the first amendment and I, for one, support upholding the constitution, having studied it in great detail during law school.

      Report Post »  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 1:08pm

      @lqtm
      [That directly violates the first amendment]
      Sigh… No, it does not… The first amendment does not give you the right to make government your church or to use government as a propaganda machine to display/impose your religion on others. It is an individual right, not a right to use public property as you please. Nor the right of the government to pick and choose what is displayed on public property at the expense of another persons rights.

      [having studied it in great detail during law school.]
      Apparently not enough to know anything about the Supremacy Clause, Civil Rights laws, or 14th amendment. Your rights end where the rights of others begin.

      “We in the United States, above all, must remember that lesson, for we were founded as a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. And so we must remain. Our very unity has been strengthened by our pluralism. We establish no religion in this country, we command no worship, we mandate no belief, nor will we ever. Church and state are,and must remain, separate. All are free to believe or not believe, all are free to practice a faith or not, and those who believe are free, and should be free, to speak of and act on their belief.
      At the same time that our Constitution prohibits state establishment of religion, it protects the free exercise of all religions. And walking this fine line requires government to be strictly neutral.” -RR

      Any display of religion, by government, is not a neutral position.

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 1:39pm

      lqtm, my bad, completely misread your post…

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • edmundburk
      Posted on June 16, 2012 at 3:43am

      @PHILLYATHIEST-are you one of the guys from its always sunny in philadelphia?

      Report Post » edmundburk  
  • ShyMan
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:57pm

    Winning a court battle to take down plastic dolls takes tremendous courage. I’d pat myself on the back too.

    This country will never be free until the government stops decorating the lawn with plastic babies and camels.

    Onward atheist soldiers.

    You know it’s a righteous cause when the same courts that allow the viewing of child porn and the murder of children in the womb also rules against the display of what atheists call fictitious.

    Yes, we can trust the courts. Don’t ya just love lawyers?

    Oh the future looks bright.

    Report Post » ShyMan  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:23am

      You’re funny. Do you feel better about your opinion now? Apparently we have different opinions of what it means to be free. Fine by me, live in your fear, God-fearer.

      Report Post »  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 16, 2012 at 4:39pm

      Plastic baby fearer..
      Yes I am a God fearer…you should be too.

      “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10
      We are an ant on a blade of grass….You have been fearfully and wonderfully made…imagine the ant on that grass really thinks that blade of grass is the whole world and he commands it.
      Don’t be ignorant LQTM..all the gay sex in the world or whatever sin you love isn’t worth it. Ask yourself WHY you are fighting so hard against God? If there really is no God-why do you care so much?

      Revelation 12:9 ESV

      And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

      Report Post » girlnurse  
  • GeneralQuarters
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:46pm

    You will find in your experience, that atheists know very little about philosophy or history.

    Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:50pm

      and you, know very, little about sentence, construction.

      also, that’s not even remotely true.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Phillyatheist provides evidence that he knows very little about anything.

      Report Post »  
  • drphil69
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:46pm

    Ha ha ha… they’ve got the last laugh. Of course, when they are admitted to hell for all eternity…

    Report Post »  
  • GeneralQuarters
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:19pm

    I hate the stupidity of the so called separation of church and state when the ignorant make claims to it with absolutely no historical knowledge of what it means! Learn your history fools. The separation only applies to the state creating its own religion run by the state. NOTHING MORE!

    Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:27pm

      the Courts and it’s Justices disagree with your interpretation of the Constitution. i’m sure you know better, but whatya gonna do?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • GeneralQuarters
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:42pm

      “No nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion – nor can it be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I, as chief magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example.”
      Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:47pm

      i’m sorry, your point is…?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:56pm

      @Philly
      The Constitution refers to an “establishment of religion”. Since it stands to reason that everything included in the Bill of Rights was put there to prevent something foreseeable to the founders there must be something that inspired them to include this measure. It isn’t hard to deduce that this inspiration came from the existence of a state religion in Britain, the Church of England, which is still headed by the Royalty to this day.

      The Church of England isn’t only the state endorsed religion, at the time of the Revolution it was actually headed by the British head of state. While the King or Queen still presides over the church today, in function they now have little real political influence.

      The main purpose of the Establishment Clause was to prevent the creation of a government run religion. The establishment of an official religion that isn’t state run could be considered a secondary effect though one could also derive that more directly from anti-discrimination laws. But not only does the establishment clause not permit government to prevent religion from appearing on public ground, the free exercise clause forbids it.

      As for the courts and judges, they were also the ones who said the government didn’t have the power to ban slavery in certain states. Court decisions have been wrong before because judges are just as human as anyone else. That plus the judiciary has become overly politicized with judges seeking to push their own ideas on us.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:01pm

      TZION – of course the Courts can be wrong (Citizens United anyone?), but i’ll take them over the alternative. if we base our laws off of referendum, then we’d be in a heap of trouble.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:53pm

      @philly
      I’m not suggesting referendum either. But as long there are people who see the Constitution this way they’ll keep fighting it court until their view wins out. Is religious imagery REALLY worth all that? You’ll never be able to win permanently because religious people will always seek to reclaim their right to practice their religion freely.

      Why can’t you just live and let live? I don‘t exactly appreciate that every November Christians start dressing up trees and houses with lights that can’t be ignored. I find it annoying that everyone starts obsessing over the guy in red whose relevance to the holiday I can’t even begin to fathom. But I deal with it. And notice, Santa, reindeer, and the Easter bunny are never a problem because some atheists want all the enjoyment of Christian holidays without the tedious need to actually be part of the religion.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:04pm

      TZION – i think we’re in agreement. although i’m not upset about any of the Christmas stuff, i personally like it.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • AmPat
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:26pm

      Strange how you believe the courts are right on this matter. I wonder if the Almighty court you pray to got it right on Slavery? If so, before or after abolition??? They were for it before they were against it.

      What are you atheists afraid of? If you don’t believe in a God, why are you so threatened by Him?

      Report Post » AmPat  
    • Heffe44
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:41pm

      @GeneralQuarters

      “The thing about quotes from the internet is that it’s hard to verify their authenticity”
      -Abraham Lincoln

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:27pm

      “This quotation appeared in a handwritten manuscript by the Reverend Ethan Allen (1796-1879). The story was related to Allen by a Mr. Ingle, who claimed to have been told a story that Jefferson was walking to church services one Sunday,

      “…with his large red prayer book under his arm when a friend querying him after their mutual good morning said which way are you walking Mr. Jefferson. To which he replied to Church Sir. You going to church Mr. J. You do not believe a word in it. Sir said Mr. J. No nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion. Nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I as chief Magistrate of this nation am bound to give it the sanction of my example. Good morning Sir.”[2]” The story comes to us third-hand, and has not been confirmed by any references in Jefferson’s papers or any other known sources. Its authenticity is questionable.

      Here are a few well known quotes from Jefferson.

      “I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians.”

      “Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.”

      Report Post »  
  • LimaBean
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:18pm

    …not surprised.
    Santa Monica retail shops will also sell you a bag for 10 cents a piece. Unless of course you bring your own dingy-dirty “earth bags” (yes, spread that bad bacteria around!) But of course that won’t happen if you wash them…..but wait isn’t that counter productive to “saving the earth”. Social engineering run a muck!
    If the individuals who call the shots for Santa Monica want to act insane, ok. I find I’m taking my business elsewhere more often these days.

    Report Post » LimaBean  
  • AmazingGrace8
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:12pm

    When “they” came for the nativity scenes & religious scenes at Palisades Park in Santa Monica, California…That Was Really Something when “they” won this battle. So alittle time passes and “they” think “lets really show those believers how serious we are about all this Jesus Christ nonsense and ban December 25th as Christmas Day”…logic?….“they” say “We don’t need another “stink’n-paid-holiday” for a stupid belief. ….(crickets chirping) Of course, it could still be a paid-holiday and just re-name it…..(use your imagination like a day of “Re-gifting”..economy will get worse if this president is re-elected). Look how the president re-named the meaning for September 11th.
    And the beat goes on.
    Rush just said he watched the new “Dallas”…..I forgot to watch. Hope we don’t get another “shower-scene” if the show isn’t getting high-ratings. LOL

    Report Post »  
  • junior1971
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:08pm

    Jesus was not a Christian! Why are you all so frustrated over a pagan ritual anyway? Faux Christians all think that if your not one of them, you are doomed to burn in hell. How is that Jesus’ point of view? As for athiest’s, why don’t you just stop crying about nativity scenes and start going after the easter bunny instead?!

    Report Post » junior1971  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:11pm

      well, the Easter Bunny often comes in the form of chocolate. too tasty to protest.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:26pm

      @Philly

      Too tasty huh?

      Bloomburgermeister is coming for the chocolate next.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:30pm

      BILLY – haha! noooooooo!!!! (the smaller ones tend to be the best quality anyway. i‘m sure he’d just outlaw the collasal ones)

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:32pm

      JESUS SAID: “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell”. Matthew 5:29-30

      Report Post » girlnurse  
  • Nevermind
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:06pm

    I love you the right frames these stories as an attack on religion when in fact what the churches are doing is an attack on our constitution. You may not like it but ther eis a seperation of church and state and the “ freed om of reliogion not from” arguement is plain wrong. The US supreme court has recognized a seperation of church and state so you may not agree but tough. YOu may not like “ activist judges” when they go agasint you but have no issue if they were to overturn roe v wade or Obama care so spare me the activist judge crap since you all only get pissy when a ruling ddoesnt go your way.

    If you want to pray to your silly made up gods then go for it, as jesus said keep your religion in your closet meaning private. So follow jesus if you want, go pray and shut up. Dont use peoples tax dollars for your silly fairy tales. Go pray to Zues, Jesus, allah or darth vader but just do it on your own dime . Noone is attack your faith and your faith must be weak if your silly display being taken down hurts your feelings

    Plus worshiping a plastic baby jeses would be idol worship which is frowned upon in the 10 commandments. So follow your own book, dont worship false idols and keep your plactic babay jesus dolls at home

    Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:36pm

      is there a “like” button. i’m looking for it!

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • BigPawz
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:03pm

      @nevermind – please do the world a favor…Before you purport to voice your useless opinion, make your baseless diatribe easier to read and understand. While we recognize your words as those belonging to the English language, the punctuation and spelling contained therein absolutely blow bulls’ balls. One of the negatives of having free speech guaranteed in this country is that Satan-influenced idiots such as yourself actually get opportunity to speak in the hopes that someone pays attention. The only one that should be listening is the federal government so that they can send you to hell on a shutter.

      Report Post »  
  • Heffe44
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:01pm

    @4truth2all

    It’s not God that bothers Athiests… It’s his fan club.

    Report Post »  
    • Caballosinnombre
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:14pm

      Taking down a display is not going to get someone to disbelieve the truth. God is much bigger than a few displays. Let the atheists laugh and froth over themselves. There‘s one Court that won’t be so funny.

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:46pm

      Nice excuse … sorry, I don’t have any money…

      Report Post »  
  • phillyatheist
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:31pm

    “The Nativity story that once took 14 displays to tell had to be crammed into two plots.”

    only 2 plots? cry me a river.

    “They showed the Christian people of the city what it feels like to have a public park promoting views that offend your personal conscience,”

    exactly. this. a hundred times over THIS. can you see why public spaces shouldn’t be used to promote religion? it’s exclusionary. it offends people. as Mitt likes to say, “what’s sauce for the goose…”

    Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • drkmagneto
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:43pm

      I can really see your “tolerant” side shining through. There’s nothing wrong with this Nativity scene. You, the extreme minority are forcing your views and beliefs upon the majority. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I hope they can find a way to put the Nativity scene out in public anyway. If you don’t believe, don’t force others not to. What a bunch of intolerant bigots you people are!

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:45pm

      Yo Philly:

      How can something you don’t believe in or think exists bother you?

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:53pm

      The Constitution says “freedom OF religion” NOT “freedom FROM religion.” Those prepositions can be so hard to understand. So more and more the atheists and their cohorts in “civility,” the ACLU are succeeding more and more frequently to nudge signs of religion out of public view. What are they next going to nudge on–ban churches, synagogues, mosques, or houses of worship from putting up a sign indicating that it is a religious building? will they force all hospitals, universitites, schools, etc. to change their name because the use of a religious term offends them?

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:53pm

      DRK – “You, the extreme minority are forcing your views and beliefs upon the majority.”

      so it’s ok for the majority to force your views on the minority? you should be ashamed of your hypocrisy.

      TRUTH – who said it bothers me? i think the Atheist displays are wrong too. it’s public property, which should be silent about all things religious. public means it belongs to all the people, not just Christians, not just Atheists, but all people.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • SDW2001
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:56pm

      Yeah, it must be so offensive to see a symbol of a religion you don’t subscribe too. I’m just SO hopping mad whenever I see a Menorah or Crescent Moon. The reality is you and yours are nothing but intolerant and condescending. You don’t just disagree with people of faith, you think they are morons. You scream constantly that the mere fact that you have to look at their symbols is a violation of your First Amendment rights. And yet, you are ironically undaunted in your quest to take away THEIR rights.

      The fact is that the First Amendment is supposed to protect expression, not suppress it. There is no legal prohibition at the Federal or State level regarding religious symbols on public property, nor does the phrase “Separation of Church and State” appear in the Constitution. You have a right not to believe in God. You don’t have a right to take my freedom of expression away. You don’t have a right to impose your <4% minority view on the rest of us.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:56pm

      This type of garbage is EXACTLY why I now have a large nativity in my yard … all of December … join me in puttig out your own also.

      Report Post »  
    • dblaess
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:56pm

      You are correct. This is why the current Administration wants to get rid of private property. If all property is public, then no Christian displays can be put up. Until then I suggest the private Christians get land next to the public land and put up Christian displays. I hope you get what you want and want what you get.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:08pm

      “You scream constantly that the mere fact that you have to look at their symbols is a violation of your First Amendment rights.”

      yes, that’s what we do. that‘s why i’m taking the 20 Churches in my town to court to get them to remove their crosses – they sting my yes. and the 3 cemeteries in my town have thousands of crosses up – and they’re right along the road. i might get into an accident if i happen to look at one. i’m just trying to protect myself.

      (heavy sarcasm)

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • dblaess
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:16pm

      @phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:08pm
      “You scream constantly that the mere fact that you have to look at their symbols is a violation of your First Amendment rights.”

      yes, that’s what we do. that‘s why i’m taking the 20 Churches in my town to court to get them to remove their crosses – they sting my yes. and the 3 cemeteries in my town have thousands of crosses up – and they’re right along the road. i might get into an accident if i happen to look at one. i’m just trying to protect myself.

      (heavy sarcasm)
      —————————————————————————————————————-
      You may mean this as sarcasm. However, there are those in the population who believe this. This is what they want for America.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:21pm

      DBLAES – “You may mean this as sarcasm. However, there are those in the population who believe this. This is what they want for America.”

      please show me one shred of evidence that your statement has merit. your hyperbole is unnecessary.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Vladia
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:28pm

      Philly said:

      “also, you have NO rights to “not be offended by anyone”.”

      (Actually, it should be, you have no right to not be offended, period.)

      and

      “can you see why public spaces shouldn’t be used to promote religion? it’s exclusionary. it offends people.”

      You’re contradicting yourself. Can’t have it both ways, buddy.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:38pm

      VLADIA – you may have missed this – he said he was offended by Atheists (people). you don‘t have any rights regarding being offended by other humans’ presence. religious symbols on the other hand may be offensive, which is fine on private property, but not on public land.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Vladia
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:09pm

      No, I didn’t miss it. The fact remains, no one has any right to not be offended. Period. The cause of offense doesn’t matter. Simply ‘being offended’ is not a license to infringe upon the rights of others.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:18pm

      @philly
      As someone who isn‘t Christian and doesn’t believe Jesus was at all divine, I can’t understand how a nativity scene “offends your personal conscious” or whatever the wording was. Personal conscious is the ability to choose to do as you please so long as you don’t impede on another persons freedom of conscious. No one is forcing you to be Christian, no one is forcing you to attend church, and since you probably haven’t even been to Santa Monica, not only is no one forcing you to look at the scene but you haven’t even seen it yourself in order for it to have “offended your personal conscious”.

      You probably would prefer it that the town change its name too because the name is Christian, wouldn’t you? And what about states like Nevada where over 80% of state’s land mass is federally owned? And remember, the courts you’re so fond of citing have ruled that atheism is a religion and therefore banning all other religions would effectively be establishing atheism. When it comes to rights under the Constitution either everyone has a right or no one does. Since atheism is a religion it is impossible to keep religion off public land. Therefore all religions, atheism included, must be permitted.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:20pm

      VLADIA – this isn’t about the right to be offended. i agree with you about that. the KKK could put up a sign on their property denying the Holocaust, and while it is offensive, that is their right to do so. our Government, on the other hand, cannot. when it comes to public land, the Government is secular, because they represent people of all faiths. not just the majority.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Vladia
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:29pm

      Actually, you’re semi-correct, Philly; obviously we agree on the ‘offense’ issue. Your example of the KKK is an excellent one. However, it’s incorrect. The KKK has the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. They have the right to exercise both in the public square (and they do, with assemblies, marches, signs, etc). There have been lawsuits attempting to ban them from exercising those rights, and the courts upheld the KKK’s right to exercise their rights, disgusting and offensive as the results may be. Freedom of religion deserves no less protection.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:32pm

      @philly
      No one is asking the government to put any religious imagery anywhere. (Well no one except for these atheists, who are asking them put put there ideal of no religious imagery on public land). All these Christians are asking is for permission to use the land during a specified period of time during which they may do as they wish. Since, as taxpayers, they pay to maintain that land, they have every right to make that request and the courts have no right to stop them.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:35pm

      TZION – and that’s exactly how this mess started. the Christians were getting permission to use the public space, but others wanted to use it too. shouldn’t they be allowed to? so they started this lottery, which was a major debacle, and now they are just scrapping the whole thing. there‘s no reason that private land can’t be used to display the nativity scene, and now that’s what will happen.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:01pm

      @Philly
      That still doesn’t solve the issue in states like Nevada. Almost 85% of Nevada is Federal land. Then there’s still more that state and local government own. Nevada likely has less private land than Kansas. Unless you can make public land scarce and guarantee that it stays that way there is no way to do as you say.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:54pm

      What offends you about the birth of Jesus PHILLYATHIEST? You bleat that you’re a business owner (I don‘t believe you for a second but I’ll bite)…tell me…why do you and your staff take Christmas day off? Don’t you find recognizing a Christian holiday offensive? And you atheists seem to have such fragile sensibilities..so easily offended. Santa Monica stinks from the amount of homeless there and yet a nativity scene is what offends you. Your priorities are warped as your selective offense.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 2:33pm

      “What offends you about the birth of Jesus PHILLYATHIEST?”

      other than the fact that Christmas isn’t actually the day Jesus was born, nothing.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
  • Warpspeedpetey
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:30pm

    Irrational atheists demanding that their secular religious views be forced on the rest of us. We should treat religious interests like we do all other interests in this country. Majority religion should rule and minority religious rights should be protected. We could amend the Constitution to eliminate the extra Constitutional Separation of Church and State doctrine invented by the courts. That would put an end to this kind of idiocy.

    Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:36pm

      “demanding that their secular religious views be forced on the rest of us”

      do people even think before they type? no one is forcing a secular religious view on you. you can still be plenty Christian without displaying the Nativity scene all over public property. or is your faith so fragile?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Heffe44
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:59pm

      Lets face the facts Warpspeedpetey… right now you religious nuts are reaping what you sow. You have been forcing your religon on everybody for else for decades and the people of this country finally stood up and are starting to do something about it. You brought this on yourselves with people like David Barton running around telling everybody this is a “Christian Nation” and the 1st amend doesn’t prevent these types of religious dispalys. So they keep taking your butts to court and you keep losing.

      It is time you all look in the mirror and realize your own hand in this. I thought you conservatives were all about personal responsibility?

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:05pm

      HEFFE – way to lay the smack down. you’re right, these folks who are upset about this are told over and over by misinformed crackpots that this kind of thing is legal. so they take their advice, dig in, go to court – and lose. it’s a vicious cycle.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • CougarNick78
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:23pm

      Heffer and Philly, you two boys need a room or some privacy?

      Way to lay the smack down, says Philly the boot licker….

      You trolls are pathetic.

      I hope you have SPF 4000 cuz Hell’s gonna be a tad toasty.

      Report Post » CougarNick78  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:48pm

      @phillyatheist

      If that’s the case then you can be plenty secular with nativity scene scenes displayed on public property or is your disbelief too irrational to withstand it?

      @Heffe

      The facts are that atheist pervs have been trying to shove their secular beliefs down the throat of a nation historically composed of Christians and founded by those same Christians for decades. As to the claim that “the people are rising up”. No one likes atheists, you can’t even get girlfriends. 75 percent of atheists are men. Coincidentally they are 100 percent of the 72 virgins. Atheists don’t build hospitals, Atheist charitable activity is pitiful, Atheism contributes nothing worthwhile to society. Atheist beliefs are based on logical fallacies and formal contradictions whose end goal is nothing more meaningful than justifying sexual immorality. A bunch epistemically challenged putzes. It is a pitiful lie to claim that atheists constitute “the people”. The people despise atheists and their fascist demands. That’s the truth. The courts invented an extra constitutional doctrine that we can change. The louder atheists get, the more motivated we will be to change that doctrine. Whose fault will that be?

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:10pm

      WARP – you are WARPed. you talk an awful lot about something you clearly no nothing about. please go take your meds and get back to bed. don’t forget to take off your tinfoil hat.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:56pm

      @Philly

      Be specific. Which of my statements is incorrect and what evidence do you have for your claim? I suspect that you are no more rational than any other atheist. Lets see if the next post is an actual argument or a smokescreen to cover your inability to reason correctly. Lets check out your tinfoil hat.

      Report Post »  
    • Heffe44
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:33pm

      @Warpspeedpetey

      Lets start with a little backround. I am Catholic, I went to Catholic School for 9yrs, and attend church regularly.

      Since you asked PhillyAtheist for proof of what he is saying, can you give me proof that your interpritation of the establishment clause is correct? There is a vast amount of judicial presidence to back up mine and PhillyAtheist point of view. Plus, Thomas Jefferson wrote a nice letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1803 giving a full interpriation of what the establishment clause is all about. You see, I can back up my position dating back to the founding of this country… you only have your crackpot opinion.

      And why do you want so badly to pray and practice your religion is public? Doesn’t that go against the teachings of Jesus?

      “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
      Matthew 6:6

      Have a nice day, I’m back to work.

      Report Post »  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:28am

      Your idea of allowing majority religious rule would backfire in the event that Muslims or Atheists became a majority. Also, do you mean Christianity in general or one of the hundreds of variations practiced in America today. Just wondering, as an irrational atheist (I love you people’s constant use of conclusive terminology).

      Report Post »  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:47am

      @LQTM

      How could atheism become the majority? That requires women.

      I refer to Christianity in general.

      I used the conclusive statement because the matter is concluded. Atheists are irrational. Atheism represents an ignorance of correct reasoning. I am happy to demonstrate should you care to enumerate the reasons you disbelieve.

      Report Post »  
    • spellwight
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 3:08pm

      PUBLIC property. The public is not christian. Individual people can be christian… or muslim or jewish or pagan or atheist or trekkies, but PUBLIC (government) property cannot promote one over another.

      Duh.

      Funny how equality tends to irritate christians.

      Report Post »  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 16, 2012 at 1:29am

      Ummm….the public includes all the groups you listed. The public is not a separate entity from them. The government is not a separate entity from them. I know of nothing in the social contract that would prevent us from changing it to reflect that fact instead irrationally equating the public with solely the secular, which composes a tiny minority which is itself a religious group in that it defines itself in terms of religion. Secular people and groups aren’t secular because they like pizza but because they have specific religious views. The entire scheme of separation, at least as it is used now depends on the false idea that their is such a thing as a religiously neutral position.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:29pm

    I’m sure this will make California a much better place to live now. (extreme sarcasm) If the militant atheists would expend their energy to improve their state instead of worrying about Christmas decorations, they might make a positive difference instead of creating more animosity between their citizens..

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:37pm

      if the Christian politicians would stop focusing on social issues (abortion, gay marriage, contraception, creationism, school prayer) and spent time trying to fix the economy and create jobs, then they might start to make a positive difference.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:14pm

      Go go cut down some Christmas trees Philly, that will stop Christmas for sure!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:29pm

      GONZO – maybe i’m confused, but don’t you have to cut them down in order to get them in your house? how would that stop Christmas? it’s a little early to be drinking, isn’t it?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • EarthtoMel
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:14pm

      I am so sick and tired of atheists whining about being “offended.” Boo-Hoo. Grow up!! Life is tough. You ARE going to be offended….that is just the way life is….
      We have many different religions at my workplace…do I run and cry when I see something that is different from my beliefs? No.
      Grow up and quit whining. This is unreal.

      Report Post »  
    • seapea
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:45pm

      For me personally….curiosity. Lots of things going on, curious to see how things pan out. The Bible tells me what to expect in the afterlife. It‘s the present that’s a mystery.

      Report Post » seapea  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:24pm

    Too bad they live on a fault line. Now lest see if they pray to the atheists when a big one hits.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:34pm

      pray to the Atheists? i’m not even sure what that means.

      but i’ll indulge you. how effective is prayer in Tornado alley (the middle of the Bible Belt)?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Do Christmas decorations get your panties in a wad Philly?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:42pm

      God does say that when all other attempts to ‘convince’ man of His plans and purposes fail, then God turns to the natural realm in the hope of getting mankind to hear Him. Earthquakes, famines and floods do get noticed. So do windstorms and wildfires. Californians should be quite familiar with most of these by now.
      I sometimes think that God is simply giving the atheists more rope to hang themselves. They do have free will to reject Him, but their pride and arrogance will ultimately undo them and all who follow their foolhardy ways.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:44pm

      GONZO – no way. i love Christmas. i wrap presents, put up a tree, listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks, and drink eggnog. great holiday, it’s my favorite.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:55pm

      JGRAHAM – “God turns to the natural realm in the hope of getting mankind to hear Him. Earthquakes, famines and floods do get noticed. So do windstorms and wildfires.”

      this deity of your sounds like a a-hole.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Conservative New Yorker
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:58pm

      Only Christians celebrate CHRISTmas. Atheists celebrate the “Winter Solstice”. Get it straight.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:10pm

      CONSERVATIVE – what’s the difference? either way it’s a fun celebration and a great time for family to come together. and i get an hour alone when everyone else goes off to Church. win/win.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:33pm

      @PhillyAtheist
      You DO know that this God of ours gave the earth over to Satan to run, right? Oh, we’ll, maybe not, being an atheist and all, you may not. That’s fine. To each his own. It’s your soul you are risking by not taking the “leap of faith.”
      Except that with a lot of atheists, it is not live and let live, they feel they need to remove everything we believe in, because it “bothers” them. Atheist control freaks don’t even realize they have a belief system of non-belief.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:43pm

      ANONYMOUS – i’m familiar with this Satan you speak of – big guy, red suit, horns and a pitchfork? yeah, i don’t believe in him either. i stand by my assertion that this deity of yours sounds like a real menace. and kind of a “richard”.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • seapea
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:08pm

      phillyatheist….tornado alley resident here. you can find tons of people that will tell you of God’s handy work during a tornado. Whole houses gone, except the closet they took cover in, or the bath tub they took cover in. The stories are endless after a tornado of the miracle of survival after complete devastation of neighborhoods. Are there deaths? Sometimes yes, but when you see mile after mile of destruction, and hear only 1 or 2 fatalities, for me, it is God taking care of his children. This is, as a christian, a concept i pray you will someday know. Until then, enjoy the void.

      Report Post » seapea  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:30pm

      SEAPEA – appreciate your comments. doesn’t it bother you when you hear people saying “God was looking after me today”, yet his/her neighbors perished in the same event?

      phillyatheist  
    • seapea
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:05pm

      No, Phil it doesn’t, unless they died without knowing Christ. It’s what any Christian wants for their brothers and sisters in the world. It is God‘s will that determine’s when it’s time to call some home. I accept His decisions in the matter. I don’t expect you to understand this, but for Christians, the ones that died are actually in a far better place than the ones that lived. Do I pray for longivity in this life, of course I do. But that’s human nature. Even knowing the bliss that comes with death…as a mere mortal…we seem to want to live on and on. However when God decides today’s the day, I will probably be slapping my forehead saying what took so long?

      Report Post » seapea  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:14pm

      “as a mere mortal…we seem to want to live on and on”

      why is this, do you think?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Cesium
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:24pm

      @Girlnurse… How is science religion? you makatta no sensa! Wheresa brains eh?

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:31pm

      Only atheists will go to heaven if their is a God anyway! You think God gave humans the ability to reason only to become a bunch of illogical blindly following sheep? That’s the real test!!! …Use your God given gift to reason and evaluate but instead throw it down the tubes for simple minded solutions in religious texts? straight to hell!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • edmundburk
      Posted on June 16, 2012 at 4:03am

      @HAFFEE44- don’t you DARE call your self a catholic! your satans spawn!

      Report Post » edmundburk  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:15pm

    What ever happened to Madalyn Murry o’Hair ?

    Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:19pm

      Now, that would be a story and headline to exploit !

      Report Post »  
    • blackyb
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:26pm

      Her stupidity is living in Santa Monica. They are all probably so doped up down in that area they don’t care one way or the other.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • seapea
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:07pm

      Ummmm….she’s dead.

      Report Post » seapea  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:15pm

    Really? You really think you can outsmart the Creator of the universe? You may get something banned but it changes nothing-you don’t have what it takes to destroy God, and my fgreatest solace is knowing they will find out the hard way He exists. They try so hard, and not one believing soul changes their mind, no matter what they do. They can never “win”.

    Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:38pm

      “my fgreatest solace is knowing they will find out the hard way He exists.”

      if this is what gets you through the day, you must be twisted.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • NJBarFly
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:09pm

      God is only a figment of our imagination. It’s pretty easy to destroy him. Just realize he’s a fairy tale!

      Report Post » NJBarFly  
  • Hiswill
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:15pm

    Santa Monica, don’t take this sitting down. Put a Nativity scene on every corner, every church lawn, all private property corner lots. Fill up the free space as much as possible with Nativity scenes to remind people in this country we are a Christian nation and founded on Christian values.

    Report Post » Hiswill  
    • Mapache
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:23pm

      And put Nativity sets up in July! That will really annoy them.

      Report Post » Mapache  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:40pm

      HISWILL – that’s fine by me. at Xmas time, every Church in my town does this anyway. i think it’s cute. just keep it off of public property.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • brooksave
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:13pm

      This Atheist group sure does seem very upset…Do you think they will start burning down churches next? I can’t imagine putting so much effort into something that brings joy to others and only for a little while (December). Surely they could have thought about doing somethin better with their time…I can’ wait to see how many nativity scenes go up in Santa Monica….Sure it will be more than 14….now they will have to avoid many streets….

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:16pm

      “I can’t imagine putting so much effort into something that brings joy to others”

      sure you can. imagine an entire state coming together to vote on whether a certain group of people have the right to the “joy” of marriage.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 1:12pm

      [we are a Christian nation and founded on Christian values.]
      Christian values like slavery and exterminating Native Americans?
      And exactly which christian values in the bible are found in the constitution?

      Report Post » Pontiac  
  • ArcticDodge
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:14pm

    I find the hatred and intolerance from atheists to be offensive. We need to ban atheists from all public areas to preserve my rights to not be offended by anyone or anything at anytime.

    Report Post »  
    • Warpspeedpetey
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:31pm

      Right on.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:42pm

      “We need to ban atheists from all public areas to preserve my rights to not be offended by anyone”

      so you’re equating a person to a Nativity scene? sorry, people cannot be banned. it just doesn’t work like that. also, how would you know who the Atheists are? we’re not branded (yet) and we don’t all look alike. also, you have NO rights to “not be offended by anyone”.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • seapea
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:52pm

      “we’re not branded (yet)”

      Thinks there is a glimmer of hope for Phil.

      Report Post » seapea  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:13pm

    If you’re offended by a peaceful depiction of Christ there is something inherently wrong with YOU. Start by fixing THAT problem first.

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:05pm

    How is a menorah a replacement for the nativity Rabbi??

    Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
  • Mapache
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:03pm

    I think then, the Catholic Church should sue Santa Monica for using the name Santa Monica, after all, it is the Catholic Church that declares saints. Maybe the Church needs to Trademark the names so all these God loathing entities in San Francisco, San Bernadino, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Corpus Cristi, San Antonio, San Andres, St. Lucie and all the other such named entities can change their names to Happytown, Smithfield and other such names….Just saying.

    Report Post » Mapache  
    • FIREPROOF
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:35pm

      Though I am entirely against what has happened there in Santa Monica, It is NOT the catholic church who “declares” who is or who is not a saint! It is Jesus Christ! by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone we are saved by His atoning death on the cross. Only believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ according to scripture, asking Him into your heart and repenting determines if you ARE one of His saints. The Local church cannot determine who is a saint… Just saying

      Report Post »  
    • DimmuBorgir
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 3:46pm

      actually fireproof, it is the catholic church that decides if you’re a saint or not.

      Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
  • ohboyohboy
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:02pm

    Atheist, communists, socialists, unionists, gay rights activists — they’re all in-your-face liberals or democrats. It’s “my way or the highway, Jack.” They are as intolerant as Muslims.

    Report Post »  
    • WarEagleVII
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:46pm

      And they are all Useful Idiots.

      Report Post »  
    • drkmagneto
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:46pm

      I concur wholeheartedly. Isn’t this like “reverse Democracy”? Too many weak-kneed City Officials getting brow-beaten by these intolerant bigots. Shameful!

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:33pm

      of course, there’s also this little thing in a Democracy called “the law”. if the majority wanted to bring back slavery, the law would prohibit that from happening.

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Phillyatheist – You‘re not smart enough to realize that we’re NOT a Democracy, we’re a Constitutional Republic. I also doubt that you’re smart enough to tell the difference.

      There’s also no law that prohibits religious displays or expressions on government property.

      Report Post »  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:09pm

      GIT – you know i said i wouldn’t talk to you, but i’ll break my own rule here.

      laws are clarified through cases. when cases continue to have a consistent ruling, they clarify the meaning of the law. this is what has happened with religious displays. when challenged, previous case-law is examined, which is why lawyers are always citing previous rulings. haven’t you watched Law and Order?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
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