The woman in the picture above holding the sign is protesting the atheists actions by pointing out that this season really is supposed to be all about Jesus.
Atheist groups objected to use of the park by churches to espouse a religious message and applied to the city of Santa Monica for their own spaces.
Officials used a lottery to dole out spots in the prime location along Ocean Avenue. The atheists turned out to be the lucky ones: Of the 21 plots in the park open for displays, they won 18. The Nativity story that once took 14 displays to tell — from the Annunciation, continuing to the manger in Bethlehem and onto infant Jesus' journey to Egypt and back to Nazareth — had to be abridged to three and crammed into two plots.
Read rest of article:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/atheists-hijack-christmas-nativity-display-in-santa-monica-critics-say.html
18 out of 21 wins for the atheists....pretty good odds for the atheists, wouldn't you say? I wonder how this "lottery" was performed? Seems like the odds were heavily weighted against Christians, no?
Hi Susan, Here's a compilation site called
ReplyDelete"Anti-Christmas and
Anti-Anti-Christmas Sentiment
in American Society"
here; http://www.akdart.com/christmas.html
Is it just a sign of the times that tolerance for Jesus Christ' believers right to worship is too offensive? Yet it has been thus since He walked the earth, not very different than then. We have been in the "last age" since Jesus was sent by his Heavenly Father those 2000 odd years ago.
The difference to our USA society of today is so many still believe that we live in a "Christian" nation and get offended when they're reminded that it's not by these public tug of wars for the spotlight/podium.
Frankly the heathen Solstice December date isn't even properly Jesus birthday, so who can blame the atheists for wanting it back? After all it is a thorn in their sides to have to entertain the possibility that there might really be a God they need to obey? If Jesus wasn't real they wouldn't be offended would they?
Santa (aka Satan) doesn't offend them in the very least.
Yes, believing in Jesus is offensive to man's intellect, but healing humbleness of salvation comes in obedience to The Creator.
Wow, that's alot of links, Muse... and I agree that Christmas isn't actually the true time of year for Jesus' birth. I still love seeing Christmas lights and decorated trees. There's a verse in the Bible that says (paraphrasing, I don't remember the actual wording, so hopefully you know the verse I'm trying to remember):
ReplyDelete"To those who are holy all things are holy, and to those who are perverse all things are perverse"
I see Christmas as a time of year when people will be most open to talking about Jesus, or at least that's the way it used to be, maybe that's changing if the atheists have their way. But I know that God will use everything for good. Eventually He will prove the atheists wrong, and will humble them in due time. :)
I like the way you see Christmas time Susan, even though we do all know that it's not a biblical holiday,
ReplyDeleteI used to get a bit uptight about it, I don't know...still working this one out.
I was able to have a nice conversation with a family member yesterday about God, it was nice:)
Hi Ma,
ReplyDeleteI kinda swerve back and forth a bit on this one too, but I remember a passage where some of Jesus's disciples were concerned about someone doing something in Jesus name, but that he wasn't "one of them" and Jesus said:
Mar 9:38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us."
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For the one who is not against us is for us.
I think we can be overly "uptight" about these things...rather we might win some over if we do like Priscilla and Aquilla
Act 18:24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
Act 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Act 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
There's a woman at work who has been talking with me (I think she is trying to convert me to become a Jehovah's Witness, she's told me she is involved with them). She is so sweet, and I prayerfully ask God to help intervene in our conversations. I hope her heart will receive the full truth about who Jesus really has revealed Himself to be in the Bible, but it will take divine revelation... just as it was given to Peter through the Spirit of God revealing the truth...
Christians use to take up 14 of 21 spots, and when a lottery is held, you get 2.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should be complaining to their God that he dealt them a bad hand.
Hi "anonymous"
ReplyDeleteIt was my understanding that the displays were all a part of the theme of the birth of Jesus, and that atheists wanted it stopped altogether. Seems to me that someone(or plural "s") decided to hold a "lottery" so that the deck could be stacked against Jesus...but He still rules the universe, I'm not afraid.
Great Bible references to this "season" of celebrations. I am the same as you and Ma on feelings about it all. And I have one tree in the yard, and two 2 foot tall mini trees artificials, and one Norkolk Pine in a pot with colored lights! Can't get away from "traditions" of my childhood of remembering Christ's birth on Dec. 25.:)
ReplyDeleteHi Musemater,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to do it "right" but I have a feeling that Jesus doesn't want us arguing over the small stuff. He is in control without our "help". Wow...I really said that??? me who never backs away from an argument that I know I can win???? yeah, sheesh, I know... but I do agree that there isn't good fruit to be gathered from confrontations and arguments and strife, no one wins...and I do love the lights of Christmas time. I think if the atheists do get their way, and I think they will for a short time...it will be a very dark place here with no twinkle lights at Christmas time. I think we can have both (Yeah, I'm all for having my cake and eating it too) by admitting that Jesus is the reason for any season, and enjoying the "Christmas spirit" for remembering Jesus birth, while being honest about the myth of Santa Claus, and that it is just that, a myth, but that Jesus is real, and a little bit of research reveals the truth of that quite easily. ;) I also like spiced hot apple cider and (gasp!) candy canes.
Yes Jesus IS the reason for the season, so let's share the joy of the miracle of His birth especially when people are more open to it! It is God who opens doors, and gives wisdom to enter into them, to His glory and praise! :D