Nativity display lawsuit: Atheists vs. Christians

by Scott77 26 Replies latest social current

  • Berengaria
    Berengaria

    Actually James it was the Xtian side that misbehaved. The atheists simply participated.

    The tensions in Santa Monica began three years ago, when Vix applied for and was granted a booth in Palisades Park alongside the story of Jesus Christ's birth. He hung a simple sign that quoted Thomas Jefferson: "Religions are all alike - founded on fables and mythologies."

    In 2011, Vix recruited 10 others to inundate the city with applications for tongue-in-cheek displays such as an homage to the "Pastafarian religion," which would include an artistic representation of the great Flying Spaghetti Monster. The secular coalition won 18 of 21 spaces.

    Most of the signs were vandalized, and in the ensuing uproar, the city effectively ended a tradition that began in 1953.



    Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Suit-seeks-Santa-Monica-nativity-scene-4048969.php#ixzz2Ch79Xtcr

  • DesirousOfChange
    DesirousOfChange

    Supposedly the US has "separation" of Church & State. (I know, I know, the Constitution does not utter the words.) I think that government should have a better way to spend its money these days than on a damn Christian holiday display, let alone having to argue about it in the courts.

    NO to the nativity scene. Let folks do it in front of their churches or their houses. If you have extra money, lower my taxes.

    Doc

  • NewChapter
    NewChapter

    Personally, I don't really freak out at Nativity scenes. I don't mind them---whatever. But I think that there is a deeper issue under this, and possibly a constitutional one.

    A large portion of our politicians don't believe in the separation of Church and State. There is an ever present battle being waged, and certain things become symbolic of that battle. Like Big Bird. Big Bird will live even if govt quits supporting him. It's not Big Bird, but a clash of ideologies.

    This is a clash of ideologies, and frankly, the right thing would be for govt not to support one religion over another. If the Christian right was not painting every Muslim as a terrorist, trying to slip ID into schools, and trying to legislate their morality on the rest of us, perhaps such displays would not rankle as much. But that's what they are doing, so every small battle is elevated.

    I confess, I have not yet read the article, and I will do so, but I just wanted to post on the issue. Some are saying that it is not the Atheists that started the trouble, but the Christians, and the headline was meant to mislead and stir up feelings against angry, petty atheists.

    I have a friend that is a Pagan. Her mayor proposed that their city motto should be The Most Christian City in the USA, or something along those lines. These appear to be small battles, but they are linked to a much larger issue.

  • Scott77
    Scott77

    this is new updates:

    U.S. judge blocks Nativity displays in Santa Monica

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/19/santa-monica-atheists-nativity-scenes-christmas/1714007/

    Scott77

  • MrFreeze
    MrFreeze

    Extreme atheists are almost as bad as extreme Christians.

  • undercover
    undercover

    Extreme atheists are almost as bad as extreme Christians.

    They're just not as organized, nor have tax free status or have to adhere to zoning restrictions for their meeting halls. Their unorganization keeps them from forcing their beliefs to be taught in schools and getting openly recognized so they can run for political office.

    Personally, I don't give two shits about nativity scenes or xmas crap supported by local governments or displayed in public places, but if Christians have the right to display religious displays, then atheists should have the right to display their own message.

  • botchtowersociety
    botchtowersociety
    They're just not as organized, nor have tax free status

    Non-profit atheist organizations have Federal tax free status.

  • botchtowersociety
    botchtowersociety
  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    I am torn on this one. I want to instantly say the atheists were over-the-top and silly.

    But their point is valid. I think there are plenty of churches to put Nativity scenes up in front of. Most public places do the secular holiday decorations with Santa and snowmen and the like. The thing is that this is a Christian tradition for this park. If it were Muslims and Jews complaining, then people might see the point more clearly.

    I don't like the way the atheists did this, but it really is the city counsel that goofed. They should have made way for more "winter-themes" from anyone and say that visual displays from all beliefs were also welcome without political or heated comments included. They could have insisted that all displays be entirely without posted words and that the only printed material would be contained on a set-size sign saying who sponsored the scene and what their website is for more information. That would limit the atheists to the standard evolution scene:

    Or something for laughter like the Flying Spaghetti Monster:

    Those along with some Santa Claus stuff and some Hanukah and Romadon (sp) stuff would have made it all still fun and educational.

  • tec
    tec

    This wasn't about God or no God though. This should have just been about Christmas. If atheists was to protest the Christ aspect of Christmas, then they should forgo Christmas altogether. Otherwise, at least show some respect for those who still celebrate it for what it is supposed to be based upon... without which there would be no Christmas to begin with.

    So it might have been legal, but it was still bad form. Imho.

    Peace,

    tammy

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