It's beginning to look a lot like Christm...er..

[Who2Dey]

I find this amusing
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...t-dispute.html.

Nativity scenes and other private winter displays will no longer be allowed in Santa Monica's Palisades Park after the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to bar them.

For nearly six decades, private, life-size scenes celebrating Jesus Christ's birth have been a fixture each December in the park that runs along the coastal bluffs. In recent years, displays have also celebrated the winter solstice and Hanukkah and have promoted atheism.

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.

PHOTOS: Battle over Christmas displays

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.

City Atty. Marsha Jones Moutrie told the council that the city had received expressions of concern about 1st Amendment issues, including letters from two "K Street" law firms, a reference to the Washington thoroughfare known for lobbyists. She also said city staff had received "threats, physical and legal." She added that the lottery would become increasingly costly and difficult to administer given the heated emotions surrounding the process. "Our research shows we can legally ban all unattended displays in parks," she said.

About 30 speakers testified for or against the displays, with several people invoking the nation's historic links to freedom of religion and others contending that the displays drew tourists who aided the local economy. Several identified themselves as members of local churches or as atheists.

Council members said the tradition should continue, but on private property. "We're not shutting down speech in Palisades Park," said Councilwoman Gleam Davis.

The vote was 5-0. Two members were absent.

[NDfanatic]

It's not surprising in Southern California.

[XenoMorph]

Good for them.... Public parks if the public says we dont want something we dont believe in littering are parks then it shouldnt be there...

Although this will probly get move because it deals with religion.

Nativity scenes can be set up at churchs.... where they belong.

[SteelCitySouth]

Originally Posted by BengalsFan024

Good for them.... Public parks if the public says we dont want something we dont believe in littering are parks then it shouldnt be there...

Although this will probly get move because it deals with religion.

Nativity scenes can be set up at churchs.... where they belong.

This^^^

[Jasonew6]

So, do atheists exchange gifts on Christmas?

Should atheists get that day off from work?

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

So, do atheists exchange gifts on Christmas?

Should atheists get that day off from work?

Seeing as christmas has become more of a general holiday (right or wrong)... my guess is yes, many exchange gifts.

And since it's a federal holiday, yes should get the day off if their company gives the day off. (some companies don't do all federal holidays)

[SteelCitySouth]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

So, do atheists exchange gifts on Christmas?

Should atheists get that day off from work?

LOL...Atheists can do what ever they want to do as it applies to their family traditions. If they want to celebrate Christmas they can do so. If their employers give them the day off they can take it. None of that requires them to believe in a god.

[Ron Mexico]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

So, do atheists exchange gifts on Christmas?

Should atheists get that day off from work?

It's not as if Christmas is a religious holiday. It's incredibly pagan, just like all other holidays that the Christian church stole. What you likely do is you celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas....something that was added in later. What I celebrate is time with my family and friends.

So.....why do Christians exchange gifts on Christmas? Was this something that Jesus requested, or pagan tradition added in?

[SteelCitySouth]

Originally Posted by Ron Mexico

It's not as if Christmas is a religious holiday. It's incredibly pagan, just like all other holidays that the Christian church stole. What you likely do is you celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas....something that was added in later. What I celebrate is time with my family and friends.

So.....why do Christians exchange gifts on Christmas? Was this something that Jesus requested, or pagan tradition added in?

...I liked Johnny Cupcakes better.

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by Danno

Seeing as christmas has become more of a general holiday (right or wrong)... my guess is yes, many exchange gifts.

And since it's a federal holiday, yes should get the day off if their company gives the day off. (some companies don't do all federal holidays)

I think they probably celebrate Festivus.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Rattler

I think they probably celebrate Festivus.

[Ron Mexico]

Originally Posted by SteelCitySouth

...I liked Johnny Cupcakes better.

You're maybe the tenth person to tell me so. MorningStar was the first....ha....so welcome to the club. Johnny Cupcakes will probably return at some point, I just wanted to switch it out for a while.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

So, do atheists exchange gifts on Christmas?

Should atheists get that day off from work?

Did the twelve apostles exchange gifts?

Did the twelve apostles get the day off from work?

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Rattler

I think they probably celebrate Festivus.

as an atheist if thats the correct term....


We celebrate christmas as a time to be with family and friends buy gifts for the young ones and extra.

I have never seen a Jesus birthday cake on christmas.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Wingnut

Did the twelve apostles exchange gifts?

Did the twelve apostles get the day off from work?

Considering the story of the 12 apostles is based on the 12 constallations that travel around the sun...

No they never get a day off or gifts.

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by BengalsFan024

as an atheist if thats the correct term....


We celebrate christmas as a time to be with family and friends buy gifts for the young ones and extra.

I have never seen a Jesus birthday cake on christmas.

There was no bakery at the inn either.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Rattler

There was no bakery at the inn either.

Lol in fact ive never seen a map with that town on it either.

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by SteelCitySouth

LOL...Atheists can do what ever they want to do as it applies to their family traditions. If they want to celebrate Christmas they can do so. If their employers give them the day off they can take it. None of that requires them to believe in a god.

Christmas is celebrating the Birth of Christ..We give gifts because the wise men gave gifts to our saviour..We sing because the Shepards and angels sang the night he was born..If you don't want to see my nativity scene then I don't want to see your Santa!

[Ron Mexico]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

Christmas is celebrating the Birth of Christ..We give gifts because the wise men gave gifts to our saviour..We sing because the Shepards and angels sang the night he was born..If you don't want to see my nativity scene then I don't want to see your Santa!

Santa is not religious symbolism. A nativity scene is. Put that stuff on church grounds.

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by Ron Mexico

Santa is not religious symbolism. A nativity scene is. Put that stuff on church grounds.

yes, Anything that is an ido is religious..Santa is an idol..He is a type of pagan worship..Santa tells me based on my works i get good stuff..My saviour tells me by His sacrafice not my works I get good blessings..So yes Santa is a pagan god.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

yes, Anything that is an ido is religious..Santa is an idol..He is a type of pagan worship..Santa tells me based on my works i get good stuff..My saviour tells me by His sacrafice not my works I get good blessings..So yes Santa is a pagan god.

OMFG

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by Danno

OMFG

Why are you laughing?

[Ron Mexico]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

yes, Anything that is an ido is religious..Santa is an idol..He is a type of pagan worship..Santa tells me based on my works i get good stuff..My saviour tells me by His sacrafice not my works I get good blessings..So yes Santa is a pagan god.

Santa is not a pagan god. He is a man of slightly historic, but majorly folkloric beginnings, and THE symbol of Christmas. No one worships him as a god, and if they do, they're just as off base as the people that worship Jesus Christ as one.

But tell me more about what Santa tells you....

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by Ron Mexico

Santa is not a pagan god. He is a man of slightly historic, but majorly folkloric beginnings, and THE symbol of Christmas. No one worships him as a god, and if they do, they're just as off base as the people that worship Jesus as one.

You said Christmas..Christmas has Christ in it..Why do you say Christmas if your an athiest.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

Christmas is celebrating the Birth of Christ..We give gifts because the wise men gave gifts to our saviour..We sing because the Shepards and angels sang the night he was born..If you don't want to see my nativity scene then I don't want to see your Santa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT-Mms2t1hA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=911UMnXrvnk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3HlALpOQ-U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZN3mO6pjjM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8apVWdjoz70

Christmas is the repurposing of ancient pagan celebrations so the early Roman Catholic Church could compete about 1600 years ago. Christmas is still filled with pagan symbolisms and customs, including the gift giving and singing. Jesus wasn't even born of December 25th.