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Title: 'Live Nativity Scene' to Be Displayed at Supreme Court, Capitol Building
Source:
Christian Posty
URL Source: http://www.christianpost.com/news/l ... -court-capitol-building-63451/
Published: Nov 30, 2011
Author: Eryn Sun
Post Date: 2011-11-30 13:36:17 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 6107
Comments: 12
The Christian Defense Coalition and Faith and Action are publicly sharing the message of Christmas this season by sponsoring a live nativity scene in front of the United States Supreme Court. Part of “The Nativity Project,” a nationwide campaign that seeks to bring the focus of Christmas back to Jesus Christ, the display not only hopes to proclaim the powerful message of the Gospel but also celebrate religious freedom, countering the hostility toward public expressions of faith. “Sadly, we are seeing an erosion and hostility toward public expressions of faith in the public square. This is especially true during the Christmas season,” said the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, in a statement. “'The Nativity Project' is a reminder that our Constitution provides freedom 'of' religion not freedom 'from' religion. By encouraging people of good will to publicly display Nativity Scenes all across America, we are not only supporting religious liberty and First Amendment freedoms but we are loudly proclaiming the powerful message of Christmas.” Mahoney additionally told The Christian Post that his group hopes to proclaim a message of hope and peace as well. “Peace on earth. Good will toward man.” That was the message that needed to be heard now, more than ever he believed. “The Nativity Project” was first organized by a number of Christians in Boise, Idaho, who were troubled by the fact that manger scenes were no longer displayed in front of the City Hall and State Capitol. “Sadly this has been occurring with frequency around the country,” Mahoney lamented. “Cities and states faced with potential legal action and negative court decisions regarding the public display of nativity Scenes have decided to refrain from setting them.” Praying and searching for creative ways to publicly display nativity scenes, faith organizations discovered a unique and exciting approach to address the problem. Not using any public funds, which courts have cited as a violation of the Establishment Clause when setting up nativity displays, The Christian Defense Coalition and Faith and Action applied for a permit to set up nativity scenes in front of public areas like the Supreme Court and Capitol Building. Individual citizens and groups were allowed to apply for permits to set up nativity scenes in places like City Halls, State Capitol Buildings, courts, town squares and other public areas. “No public funds are being used and the courts have allowed these displays to move forward,” the ordained minister from Virginia explained. Volunteers from both faith organizations will be acting the parts in the live nativity skit, which will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C. and at the Fox News studios in New York City on Thursday. “The traditional crèche, portraying Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child, along with angels, shepherds, Wise Men and animals, remind us of what Christmas is all about,” the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of Faith and Action, added in the statement. "The fact that we have been granted a permit to hold this 'Live Nativity Scene' in front of the Supreme Court ensures the right for every American to set up these public displays in communities all across America. We like to refer to this effort as keeping Christ Mass in the nation's Capital and throughout the nation." As Christians continue to witness direct attacks on public expressions of faith, leaders hope that the live upcoming skit would be one method to ensure the protection of basic free speech rights. “We are seeing a very interesting ‘divide’ developing toward the public expressions of faith,” Mahoney stated to CP. “On one hand, the general public in poll after poll seems very comfortable and supportive of public faith expressions. Things like: the public display of the 10 Commandments, prayers at sporting events, the public display of crosses in public parks, keeping ‘One Nation Under God’ in our Pledge, etc.” “However, the courts and groups like the ACLU and Americans United are mounting an all out assault on public expressions of faith. So in America, you have this very fascinating situation. The general public is very warm toward public expressions of faith, while the courts and elite groups and very uncomfortable with it,” the former director for the Center for Christian Activism noted. “Even though this ‘divide’ is growing greater, the good news is the vast majority of the public stands with us,” he concluded. The “Live Nativity Scene” expects to be on the public sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court by 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
Poster Comment: Good for them.
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#1. To: A K A Stone (#0)
If this were so, then the rights of agnostics and atheists would not be protected, and they are. The First Amendment's guarantee of religious protection is not just about one group trying to pick on another religious group; it is also about protecting one's right to doubt there is a deity, or believe there is not one. The First Amendment came into being stemming from experiences some groups had when their religion was not respected by the country they were from's dominate faith. The last thing the framers of the Constitution intended was there to be any discrimination on a religious basis. Thus the court has consistently ruled to protect the opinions on religion of everyone. They can go do a protest like this if they wish, but they don't impress me with their obvious goal to harass and belittle people for not belonging to a religion.
Mike. You are not the least bit impressive.
Stonie, I was talking about what doesn't impress me. I was not talking about how impressive I am. Still looking for a woody on me are you? Do you have anything with substance on this topic? All you do is criticize me personally in response to my post. Care to wiegh in on what I said in a way that does not get so personal? Go ahead, dare to act mature for once.
Is that your definition of mature Mike?
NO IT ISN'T! It is about freedom of speech and religion. You do have a right in this country to not believe if you so choose. But that isn't what the first amendment is about. I don't think the founders were talking about cults like the muslim one either.
It was a very very mild way to say to fuck off for insinuating I am a liar. I'd just call it good and let it go. When I say a political position, I don't pretend to believe other then what I say I believe. It goes strongly against my nature to do that.
Not believing in religion is how some people feel on religion, and this is protected under the aupices of the First Amendment. It is how the SCOTUS has ruled. I noticed you posted a decision by Justice Hugo Black. If you want, I'll give you what he says on this. I believe in exactly the same position of this now deceased Justice.
No it isn't. Show me the words that you are talking about in the constitution that that makes your point. You can't. It's not there.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
-- Hugo Black, Majority opinion, Everson v Board of Education Hugo Lafayette Black was one of the most articulate justice ever on this point. What you need is some insight that reading on this and thinking about this can give you. Because the First Amendment clearly says one can do as they wish as an individual in regards to religion. Including not giving a care in the world about it or believing in a faith.
Mike. That isn't what I asked for. I asked for the words in the constitution. That was lame. Try again if you think you are up to the challenge. THE WORDS FROM THE CONSTITUTION MIKE!!!!!!
That was a excellent interpretation of the religion clause of the First Amendment. The fact you don't understand Constitutional law enough to see that is on you, not me. The framers' point was obviously that one's sense of religion is their own to deal with; which means if someone does not want religion, it is their Constitutional right not to believe or belong to one. The Constitution is a framework, and thus dopes not need everything covered under each part of it in excruciating detail as law codes. The First Amendment also does not mention Christianity either, yet people like you would act like it does and claim the Constitution meant for Christianity to be the 'special' religion in this country. You should read more on Constitutional law or take a course on it. Because I am tired of arguing in a situation where I feel I am trying to explain to a child how airplanes stay in the air.
From this groups leter: “'The Nativity Project' is a reminder that our Constitution provides freedom 'of' religion not freedom 'from' religion."
#2. To: Ferret Mike (#1)
They can go do a protest like this if they wish, but they don't impress me
#3. To: A K A Stone (#2)
#4. To: Ferret Mike (#3)
Still looking for a woody on me are you?
#5. To: Ferret Mike (#1)
it is also about protecting one's right to doubt there is a deity,
#6. To: A K A Stone (#4)
"Is that your definition of mature Mike?"
#7. To: A K A Stone (#5)
#8. To: Ferret Mike (#7)
Not believing in religion is how some people feel on religion, and this is protected under the aupices of the First Amendment.
#9. To: A K A Stone, Ferret Mike (#8)
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#10. To: A K A Stone (#8)
The "establishment of religion" clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion.
#11. To: Ferret Mike (#10)
#12. To: A K A Stone (#11)
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