Christian Groups Pushing "Operation Nativity"
Friday November 21, 2008
If only I were making this up. The folks over at CBN (that's the Christian Broadcasting Network) are reporting that there's a movement picking up steam called "Operation Nativity," sponsored by the Christian Defense Coalition and some other conservative groups. The project encourages individual citizens to place nativity scenes in places like city halls, state capitol buildings and other public buildings. The general idea is that as long as the individual hangs around and stays with their nativity scene, it's considered temporary and therefore is perfectly okay. In fact, there is much celebration in the article about the fact that someone put up (and stayed with) a creche in front of the Supreme Court.
Apparently, promoters are also telling people to get on out there and display nativity scenes on their private properties as well. Maybe they didn't get the memo that it's perfectly legal to do this anyway, so any protesting in that venue seems a bit silly, but hey, whatever makes them happy. Once again, there's that whole Dominant Religion Lens Factor in place -- what the promoters fail to see is that most of us don't care if the Christians next door have a nativity scene. It's just that if a government entity allows one belief system to have a display, they should allow all of them to have one. Contrary to what CBN might have the world believe, there's really no Big War on Baby Jesus.
Of course, the Reverend Pat Mahoney, who's one of the head honchos of the Operation Nativity project, reveals the real reason behind the movement: "Mahoney said it's an important way to witness... "That Christ child who was born is the only one who can bring peace and hope and comfort in the hearts and lives of humanity."
If you're feeling really saucy, you could join your Christian friends and neighbors on the courthouse steps with a Pagan scene, instead.
Apparently, promoters are also telling people to get on out there and display nativity scenes on their private properties as well. Maybe they didn't get the memo that it's perfectly legal to do this anyway, so any protesting in that venue seems a bit silly, but hey, whatever makes them happy. Once again, there's that whole Dominant Religion Lens Factor in place -- what the promoters fail to see is that most of us don't care if the Christians next door have a nativity scene. It's just that if a government entity allows one belief system to have a display, they should allow all of them to have one. Contrary to what CBN might have the world believe, there's really no Big War on Baby Jesus.
Of course, the Reverend Pat Mahoney, who's one of the head honchos of the Operation Nativity project, reveals the real reason behind the movement: "Mahoney said it's an important way to witness... "That Christ child who was born is the only one who can bring peace and hope and comfort in the hearts and lives of humanity."
If you're feeling really saucy, you could join your Christian friends and neighbors on the courthouse steps with a Pagan scene, instead.
Comments
Greetings / MM:
I agree that Christians wish to dominate and then rid the country of views other than their own. The question that I have is this - What would be a good equivilent to the Nativity Sceene?
MP
Well, there are plenty of cultures and religions that have holidays around the time of the winter solstice. Why not a giant menorah, or a big Kwanzaa thing, or a Pagan manger welcoming the rebirth of the sun? There’s any number of possibilities.
patti
or maybe a Festivus pole, too…
And many many many of the old religions had a dying and resurrecting god/king. Dispense with the Christian trappings and make a nativity for one or all of them. Or dedicate the nativity to the death of the old year and birth of the new with whatever is significant to you. Christianity took so very many of its customs from pagan roots, just take ‘em back! lol
I have abour 4 pentacle wreaths made and I am SO ready to march them around my local government buildings! When will these people get it through thier thick skulls that pagans are not the enemy? And that our voices deserve to be heard as well? Happy Yule to all the pagans out there!
America is founded on the principal of religious freedom-it’s your choice to be for or against. I chose to believe that Christ was our creator taking on human form at Christmas to salvage His creation that sin had ravaged. If you don’t want to believe that, that’s fine, but I do and it changed my life. Enjoy your folly and I will enjoy my faith and when we check out of this life, we will each have our just reward. Merry Christmas and God Save America from its blindness.
“Let he without sin cast the first stone”. Hmmm…. looks like Sam might want to check out his own glass house before he lobs stones at anyone else’s. After all, doesn’t the Bible say, “Judge not, lest ye be judged” ?
Celtic Joie a great quote you use from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” Prayerfully read all of St. Matthew 7 and it will change your life. Praise the Name of Jesus who is the Rock in verses 24-27!
Sam, with all due respect, we are content to let you believe what you choose, so why not let us alone to believe what we choose? I’m very happy that you found something that changed your life, but so have many of us Pagans. I was raised Catholic & read the Bible many times. I had no awe-inspiring wow moment. Practicing Wicca gives me that that on a daily basis. Live & let live, friend, & blessed be.
I forgot to add above: at my workplace, we have compromised. The Christians get a creche & we place a star on the top of the tree & place a (non-burning) Yule log below. The point is we respect each others’ right to believe as we choose. I work with people of many religions & somehow it’s never the Pagans who challenge someone else’s rights …
Oh what fun! When Christians try to fight back about nothing, it’s always entertaining to watch.
If I had to pick one thing about Christmas that I liked, it would be a nativity scene though. I’ve always loved them, they’re so serene. Except for those silly plastic ones. Anyways, Jesus was born in the Spring, so it doesn’t really matter.
Anyways, great article.
I respect all of you misguided folks and said so initially, you can choose whatever to please. As and engineer, I can warn you of a developing problem in a compromised structure, but it is your choice to fix it or ignore it. God gives us all the opportunity to know what awaits us if we ignore His will and it is up to us to accept or reject at our own peril. Christians did not invent the message, it was given to us by the Holy Spirit and thats why after 2000 years people can’t extinguish it. The reason we are still having this discussion is because God is still extending His mercy to whosoever will believe. I accepted the invitation and it saved my life, and now have the Lord as my S\shepherd through all my struggles. It is a great assurance plan but if you refuse to operate on God’s frequency which requires humility and faith, it will be like trying to hear satellite signals on a crystal radio set. Jesus Loves us all even if we don’t love Him. How’s that for nonconditional grace? I seem to be in the minority in this discussion but it doesn’t matter if none believe the truth, it is still truth and likewise if everyone believes a lie, it is still a lie. Let those who have ears, hear O Lord.
Sam I am very happy you have been saved by the message of your God and He guides your life. I grew up roman catholic, and still love the teachings of Jesus. He preached love, understanding, peace, forgiveness, as well as the fact that he accepted all people, lepers, prostitutes, money changers, tax collectors, and woman, whom I might add were also followers and preachers of his message. The problem I have is the fact that christians forget this, and use his message for the wrong reasons. I can only speak for myself but my path has taken me into a deeper understanding of myself, my world and total understanding of other people. I don’t think anyone here is against you or is wanting to debate your religious choices. I don’t think people here care if you believe in a paperclip as your god. That’s freedom of religion and where ever we go when we die, from heaven to a place called summerland, I feel secure in the fact that we will all be happy with our gods, be them a paperclip, one almighty man, or many goddesses and gods.
blessings to you and a long and happy life
” The reason we are still having this discussion is because God is still extending His mercy to whosoever will believe.”
Actually, Sam, the reason you’re still having this discussion is because I’m trying to extend you the courtesy of allowing your to share your opinion on this page.
However, now your opinion-sharing has crossed that boundary into prosetylizing. I’ll leave your last comment in place, but any further attempts at preaching to other readers will be deleted. Those who wish to know more about your relationship with God are certainly welcome to email you off-thread, but it’s time for this discussion to return to the topic at hand.
patti
@ paganwiccan: It’s been awhile since I celebrated Kwanzaa @ home, but I wanted to share this w/ you.
Kwanzaa stuff:
Kinara–the candleholder for the 7 candles that represent the seven principles; is symbolic of our roots, our parent people — continental Africans.
Mishumaa Saba– (The Seven Candles)
These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.
Mazao– The Crops
These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor. (gourds, fruit, etc.)
Mkeka– (The Mat)
This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.
Muhindi– (The Corn)
This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.
Kikombe cha Umoja– (The Unity Cup)
This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.
Zawadi– (The Gifts)
These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.
Here’s a link to .
BB…
Ugh!! The link didn’t post…
The Seven Principles can be found here:
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.shtml
At the risk of sounding redundant, I have to agree that Operation Nativity is the ultimate exercise in overkill. This spiritual territorial marking has got to stop. My God/dess…
I think it’s funny that even though it’s still printed, advertised and marketed as CHRISTmas that Christians still find the need to to “fight” for their cause. Jews have been persecuted 6,000,000 times more than they EVER HAVE and you don’t see them pushing to have menora’s and The Star of David displayed everywhere for their holiday celebrations.
I’m sick of so-called Christians that feel it’s their personal mission to make sure everyone see’s what they see in life and understands “how hard it is for tehm.” They should come over here to Iraq and try being a Wiccan in a Muslim country. Let them tell me about intolerance then! Before we (American Armed Forces) arrived here, you would be EXECUTED for being in possesion of a bible, book of shadows, kabalah or any religious literature other than the Koran. (and as a Marine I don’t give a damn how “Quran” is really spelled! lol!)
It’s sad to see that some people still don’t understand the basis of their own religion. “Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself.” Yes, even Wiccans know the bible too! Let them wage their silly protest and freeze their butts off in the cold standing guard over their plastic nativity…and I’ll freeze mine off defending innocent Muslim families from extremists and insurgents.
Happy Holidays…and Blessed Be.
A Proud Marine
When are christians going to wake up and realize that they have nothing to be afraid of and we don’t want to be saved? If only they would realize that it is their intolerance and “hollier than thou” mentality that drives many people to turn away from christianity. A person doesn’t need to display their faith everywhere in an attempt to say” I’m still here, take that all you hell bent nonbelievers” just like people don’t have to come on bulletin boards and insult the people there just to make your comment about faith.
In my eyes all gods are right simply because someone believes them to be. After all isn’t anything real just because one solitary person believs it is? If one person belives that we have purple cows then that is the truth, if only to them. People need to wake up and realize that our worl is filled with different people who have different opinions and personalities and that that is okay. Once people realize that a person is just a person and nothing more, beyond individual beliefs, the better our world will be for it. And I’m notr just talking about the christians. I have met many people from many faiths who will argue with someone that they are right. I say who the hell cares? What i believe doesn’t affect you and vise versa, so screw all that and see me for the person i am and not the god i believe in or the person i choose to love or the cloths i choose to wear and we can start a happy life of coexistance on this rock we call home.
Blessed Be to everyone and if anyone was offended by the tings i said maybe you needed to be.
Peace,
Firelion
Does it ever amaze anyone other than me, that the folks jumpin’ up and down on “Christ the solid rock I stand” seem to forget they are supposed to live by the 10 commandments as well? They have 10 “rules” and yet can’t live by the one we do? “harm none”? We live in a Country based on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM? Not just the right to be “their” religion? Not to mention that little thing called “freedom of speech?” Merry Yule everybody:)
Neither sign belongs on PUBLIC property (1st amendment). Display whatever you like on PRIVATE property. The government is NOT allowed to show preference to any religion or to no religion (i.e. a display saying “God does not exist” is also a violation.) Christians are constantly violating the first amendment, (in other words…breaking the law!) whether it’s religious displays on public property, forced prayer in public schools, or trying to teach creationism in biology class. Every time they get challenged in court, they lose. All they’re doing is making lawyers rich.