No room in the inn -- or in the manger -- for Jesus
Posted December 2, 2006
West Virginia has come up with a new way to secularize Christmas -- a Jesus-free manger scene.
Years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that nativity scenes can be displayed on public property -- as long as they're part of a diverse holiday display. Translation: if you throw in Frosty, a few reindeer and a menorah, the creche is constitutional. The more exclusively Christian the display is, the more likely it is to flunk a legal challenge. It's probably been 15 years since the Supreme Court upheld creche displays, but word spreads slowly, apparently, in some parts of the country.
By the Associated Press
ST. ALBANS, W.Va. - Christ is missing from Christmas in this small town. The community's holiday display has a manger with shepherds, a guiding star, camels and a palm tree, but no baby Jesus, Mary or Joseph.
The parks superintendent said Jesus was left out because of concerns about the separation of church and state. But Mayor Dick Callaway said it was done for purely technical reasons: "It's not easy to put a light-up representation of a baby in a small manger scene, you know."
A tip of the hat to the Rt. Rev. Rabbi Judah for pointing out the story.
Archived Comments
It never ceases to amaze me how much people love their pagan holidays.
"Peace on Earth"? NO! Jesus didn't come to bring peace! He came to bring a sword!
Again I say that it is a SIN to celebrate Christmas! The Puritans banned it altogether. Anyone celebrating it in John Owen's England was thrown in jail for heresy.
In America it was outlawed until the 18th Century. In Boston anyone missing work on Christmas day would be fired. Any student that did not attend school on Dec. 25th would be expelled. It was only the arrival of large numbers of Irish and Northern European immigrants that brought acceptance here. Note that these people descended from the Druids - heathens who worshiped trees, which is what Christmas is really about.
Finally the Bible calls those who decorate trees in silver and gold "HEATHENS"! Indeed anyone who celebrates this pagan holiday is damned to Hell for all eternity!
Amen and amen!
Good going Bart: I'll bet everyone who just read your post will skim through all the channels tonight in search of the two witnesses.
Once again, I suspect that the great legal principle of "plastic reindeer" will prevail: If the display has them, it's okay on public property; if it doesn't, it's not.
Bart, eternal damnation for decorating a Christmas tree? Ridiculous. If there is a hell as we know it, it is reserved for hate-mongers and zealots like yourself and Islamic fundamentalists. If you really want to please Jesus, then get off your butt, go outside, and lend a helping hand to those that don't have the luxury of sitting in a warm room whilst typing away at some nonsensical blog.
Christmas is Jesus BIRTHDAY! Thats why we have a HOLIDAY DECEMBER 25! I am an AMERICAN and me and my family are celebrating CHRISTMAS this year like we allways have! The Birth Of Our Lord and Savior (JESUS CHRIST). This is my American Holiday and we will not give this day away to religious protesters! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can you have a Christmas display with Jesus? Why make excuses Mayor Callaway you left the main character out. The same happen when he was born, (No Room in the Inn). Wake up weak knee people. It time we take a stand for Jesus. Put the Devil under our feet not in the drivers seat.
Bart, and anyone else who is confused about this whole Jesus thing...
Have you read John 3:16?
Maybe you think it is sinful to celebrate Christmas... But are those who celebrate it really any more sinful than you or I? Luke 13:1-5.
As a Christian, (i.e. A person who accepts the deity of Jesus Christ, believes his death, burial and resurrection, and confesses his Lordship over my life.) I ask for Mercy from God, not justice. If God were to give me justice, then my life would be over, and I would be in torment. His mercy allows me another day, and as a follower of his, I need to show that mercy. I believe this is the calling of all Christians.
Boring Bob. Have you read the rest of John 3? Jesus ONLY died for those that believe. And that word "believe" there does not simply mean that they think he is the Son of God. It means you follow his teachings.
Jesus says in Revelation that idolaters will be cast into the lake of fire. Christmas is nothing but pagan idolatry. Ergo, yes you will suffer eternal damnation for honoring a f'n tree! A TREE!
Of course you don't cry out for justice, you aren't one of the Elect.
They Elect cry out for justice and God is promised to deliver it. That is what "vengeance is mine" means.
All of you tree and Santa worshipers will all spend eternity in Hell. DEAL WITH IT!
Hey Bart: Just where in Revelation does Jesus say that Idolators will go to hell? If you know very and scripture I think peach said something in a different thread that you might be interested--something about satan !!!
Sometimes Bart makes me laugh so hard, I almost fall out of my chair.
Well I assure you that you won't be laughing hard when you are lurking around in Hell you mocker and scoffer!
Hey Bart: does those scriptures you seem to be so fond of quoting say anything at all about judging others, or profanity in every day language, or what's that Golden rule thing that you never quote--that never implies to you--just wondering.
I agree with you! Thanks for the article.
Dear Joshua: Our Thanks to you--I just read from The Good report and I can tell anyone and everyone that God has a great destiny in store for you. We all could wise up and take directions from one of such a tender age. I will keep you in my prayers. Thanks -peach
In my comment the (out)was omited. How can you have Christmas display without Jesus. Please correct this.
Thanks,
Arbadella Reed
I do believe now the the great apostasy the Bible talks about is now in the present every day living. I am looking for the 2 witnesses in Revelation to be on TV any day now.