“They’re just jealous because they don’t have three wise men and a virgin in the whole organization.” —Mayor Vincent J. `Buddy’ Cianci, on the ACLU suing to have a nativity
scene removed from gov. property
Hereinafter, we will consider the fracas over Santa Monica, CA nativity scenes and the atheist backlash.
Most of the Christmas nativity scenes that churches had placed in a Santa Monica coastal park for decades have been displaced by non-religious displays — and the churches are crying conspiracy. 1
“Conspiracy” oh, oh, better get your aluminum hats out!
The Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee…has traditionally claimed 14 of the 21 display spaces…But atheists got all but three of the spaces this year because of a new lottery system. The coalition got two spots to display Jesus, Mary and the wise men. The third went to Isaac Levitansky of Chabad Channukah Menorah…Adding to the loss, the atheists have used only three of the display areas to promote their message. One reads: “Religions are all alike — founded upon fables and mythologies. — Thomas Jefferson.” “Happy Solstice,” reads another. And a display with photographs depicting King Neptune, Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and Satan reads, “Million Americans know MYTHS when they see them. What myths do you see? American Atheists. Since 1963. athiests.org.”
Firstly, how apropos that the atheists came out on top due to a blind, random chance happenstance: a lottery.
Secondly, we see three typical atheist tactics: 1) Claim the equal right to display, get what they want, not use them the majority of them as the point was to complain and not to actually do much of anything. 2) While theists of all sorts are joyfully celebrating, atheists want to put in their malicious two cents as they have nothing positive to say but are always on the attack.
3) The spaces that atheists did use are loud and proud displays of well within the box atheist group think talking points de jour and are logical embarrassments.
Let us consider these:
1) “Religions are all alike — founded upon fables and mythologies. — Thomas Jefferson.” So much could be stated for one, on an atheist view religion, fables, mythologies, etc. came about as things that assisted human survival. So, who are the atheists to demand, as self-appointed un-natural selectors–arbiters of evolution, that humans, from 1st to 3rd world countries, cease and desist in believing them? In nature, nature being all that there is in an atheist universe, all that matters (for some unknown reason) is survival. You can survive by ascertaining empirical truth or by being utterly deluded and it matters not which path you choose. Of course, what greater mythical fable is there but that nothing caused nothing to become something. Or that eternal uncaused matter became everything. Or that life came from non-life. Or belief in crypto-zoological creatures such as the “common ancestor.” And, and, and, etc., etc., etc. Thomas Jefferson wrote the following to Peter Carr:
If you find reason to believe there is a God, a consciousness that you are acting under his eye, and that he approves you, will be a vast additional incitement; if that there be a future state, the hope of a happy existence in that increases the appetite to deserve it; if that Jesus was also a God, you will be comforted by a belief of his aid and love.
Also, deist or not, Thomas Jefferson attended Christian worship services which took place at the Capitol Building—something for which today, he would be sued and impeached.
2) “Happy Solstice,” reads another.
This denotes that atheism does have a “spiritual” side, that this side is Neo-Pagan Atheism and that the Bible is correct about those who replace awe in YHVH with awe in nature:
…unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things…who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 1:18-25).
3) And a display with photographs depicting King Neptune, Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and Satan reads, “Million Americans know MYTHS when they see them. What myths do you see? American Atheists. Since 1963. athiests.org.” This is a vociferous admission of the fact that American Atheists lack knowledge of that which they besmirch. The myth is clearly evident and it is that nothing brings about something, that accidental happenstances bring about information, etc. King Neptune was displaced by the one true God YHVH. Santa Claus was indeed mythologized from the real Saint Nicholas who is known for Christ inspired charity. God is a philosophically necessary being whilst Neptune and Santa are not. Moreover, natural theology/natural revelation points us to a personal God and not to Neptune or Santa—see:
On the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Invisible Pink Unicorns, et al.
Many atheists reject God at very, very early ages—generally due to rebellion against their own childish theologies, bad experiences with overbearing parents and religious groups, etc.—and so their view of God, their theologies, remain childish and undeveloped. Thus, we get atheist talking points which correlate God to Santa, Tooth Fairy, invisible friends, “Sky Daddy,” and even the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Invisible Pink Unicorns—see:
Atheism’s arguments against theism, or Atheism’s “atheology”
In this regard, there is a YouTube playlist dedicated “Santa Syndrome case studies” wherein evidence is brought forth that show a correlation between young age rejection of Santa Claus and young age rejection of God.
Now, back to the alleged conspiracy: why is conspiracy being alleged?:
… 13 people bid for spaces…Two individuals got 18 spaces…Damon Vix is behind the effort to allocate the spaces by lottery. Last year, he put up a sign with the Thomas Jefferson quote and selections on U.S. Supreme Court decisions about the importance of separating church and state. Vix now helps other atheists acquire the park spaces, including American Atheists Inc. and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. This is what the anti-Christian atheist activist Damon Vix had to say:
“For 60 years, it’s almost exclusively been the point of view of Christians putting up nativity scenes for a whole city block,” Vix said.
True story: before this writer came to accept that Jesus is the Messiah, he felt the same exact way. Yet, even before accepting Jesus as Messiah he grew up and did so via pure logic. Since the majority of the citizenry of the USA are Christian it is simple mathematics that “it’s almost exclusively been the point of view of Christians putting up nativity scenes”—particularly during Christmas, by the way. Moreover, Christmas is a Christian holiday and so Christians decorate for Christmas. The end of December marks no atheist holiday at all. Yet, since atheism is an anti-Christian support group which is premised upon a negative assertion, atheists feel that 1) any and every religious display is a personal affront and 2) they must ever be on the offensive by offending those who are attempting to joyfully celebrate.
Overall, it seems that the atheists won most of the spots not due to random lottery but intelligent design.
Check out this case study of “Santa Syndrome”:
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