NATIVITY SCENES VANDALIZED NATIONWIDE

Catholic League ^ | December 10, 2004 | William Donohue

[NYer]

Below is a list of vandalized nativity scenes this Christmas season:

·        Vandals damaged a life-size nativity scene in Merced, California. 

·        Baby Jesus was stolen from a McKinney, Texas family’s yard.

·        Over a dozen statues were stolen from a nativity scene in Pasco County, Florida, and three of the inflatable snowmen were slashed. 

·        A nativity scene was stolen from the yard of a Pataskala, New Jersey family. 

·        A family from Whitehall, Michigan also had its entire nativity scene stolen. 

·        In Camillus, New York, a 75-pound nativity scene was stolen from a church. 

·        The nativity scene in Chicago’s Daley Plaza was vandalized and baby Jesus was taken, even though the statue was locked down.

·        Baby Jesus was also stolen from the Metcalf Mortuary in St. George, Utah.

·        A church in Fairmount, New York had its nativity scene stolen.

·        The baby Jesus was stolen from a large nativity scene in the historic Hancock Cemetery next to Quincy City Hall, Massachusetts.

·        The Mountaineer Inn in Asheville, North Carolina had its nativity stolen by vandals.

·        A family from Lockport, Illinois had its nativity scene stolen.

·        A handmade nativity scene was destroyed by vandals on the property of a family in Lincoln, Nebraska.

·        A nativity scene set inside Plexiglas was smashed to pieces in Mineola, New York.

·        A front-yard nativity scene was damaged in Farmington, Illinois.

·        Students at Taylor University in Indiana went on a rampage, vandalizing several Christmas decorations, including the nativity scene, and started a bonfire.

Catholic League president William Donohue commented as follows:

“This is the worst we’ve seen, and most nativity scenes have yet to be erected.  It speaks to a problem that deserves a public discussion.”

[NYer]

St. Bonaventure (d. 1274), in his The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, writes:

"It happened in the third year before his death, that in order to excite the inhabitants of Grecio to commemorate the nativity of the Infant Jesus with great devotion, [St. Francis] determined to keep it with all possible solemnity; and lest he should be accused of lightness or novelty, he asked and obtained the permission of the sovereign Pontiff. Then he prepared a manger, and brought hay, and an ox and an ass to the place appointed. The brethren were summoned, the people ran together, the forest resounded with their voices, and that venerable night was made glorious by many and brilliant lights and sonorous psalms of praise. The man of God [St. Francis] stood before the manger, full of devotion and piety, bathed in tears and radiant with joy; the Holy Gospel was chanted by Francis, the Levite of Christ. Then he preached to the people around the nativity of the poor King; and being unable to utter His Name for the tenderness of His love, He called Him the Babe of Bethlehem. A certain valiant and veracious soldier, Master John of Grecio, who, for the love of Christ, had left the warfare of this world, and become a dear friend of this holy man, affirmed that he beheld an Infant marvelously beautiful, sleeping in the manger, Whom the blessed Father Francis embraced with both his arms, as if he would awake Him from sleep. This vision of the devout soldier is credible, not only by reason of the sanctity of him that saw it, but by reason of the miracles which afterwards confirmed its truth. For the example of Francis, if it be considered by the world, is doubtless sufficient to excite all hearts which are negligent in the faith of Christ; and the hay of that manger, being preserved by the people, miraculously cured all diseases of cattle, and many other pestilences; God thus in all things glorifying his servant, and witnessing to the great efficacy of his holy prayers by manifest prodigies and miracles."

[EggsAckley]

This has got to be a concerted effort by some group of people. Wonder what the DUers know about it.

[NYer]

“This is the worst we’ve seen, and most nativity scenes have yet to be erected.  It speaks to a problem that deserves a public discussion.”

Catholic Ping - please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[the Deejay]

The nativity scene in Chicago’s Daley Plaza was vandalized and baby Jesus was taken, even though the statue was locked down.

The thugs came armed with bolt cutters.

[the Deejay]

Wonder what the DUers know about it.

Plenty.

[ProudVet77]

It is happening a lot more this year. As long as we are going to classify some crimes as "hate crimes", it's time this was so listed. Any anti-religous activity is on the same moral plain as anti-black or anti-gay etc...

[SkyPilot]

Tolerance defined by the Left is only for homosexuals, race baiter's, and socialists.

God (an any reference to Him) reminds them of their depravity, emptiness, hopelessness, and the incredible wasteland that their lives have become.

The first line in the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is:

"It is not about you."

Life is about God, and His life and purpose for our life.

[EggsAckley]

Almost seems to parallel the vandalism happening at RNC headquarters. Too many of them, all happening in a short time period.

[sweetliberty]

"This has got to be a concerted effort by some group of people."

Yeah, it is. Satan's minions.

[the Deejay]

My first thought went back to the
RNC headquarters vandalisms.

[sweetliberty]

"Any anti-religous activity is on the same moral plain as anti-black or anti-gay etc..."

In my opinion, it is much worse.

[Diverdogz]

Considering the million plus nativity scenes on display, the rate of vandalism is remarkably low.

[Isabelle]

Pure evil Satanist!

[EggsAckley]

Organized, co-ordinated, and probably "reported" to the group. There is probably a list that they chuckle and gurgle over. DU mentality.

[mlmr]

A million outdoor nativities? I doubt it. There are none in this area. All the Churches have given up.

[the Deejay]

There is probably a list that they chuckle and gurgle over. DU mentality.

Exactly, Eggsactly.

I hope everyone of 'em, rots in hell.

[MistrX]

Now that the Bush/Cheney campaign headquarters are all closed, the Dems have found something else with which to keep themselves busy.

[zzen01]

If the left continues this the THEY will be responsible for the launch of Civil War II. If the Judiciary and Legislature (Congress) do not wake up then they will find themselves in the crossfire!

[Viking2002]

Yeah, it is. Satan's minions.

Satan's minions bleed. If you catch them in the act, demonstrate it to them. Savages.

[Jorge]

The left's anger at losing the election seems to be directed more at Christians since polls showed moral issues brought out the large religious right in larger numbers.

They hate Bush and they hate the red state "morality" they think helped re-elect him.

[Gritty]

How long before churches start to burn?

[Diverdogz]

I hope everyone of 'em, rots in hell.

Isn't the Christian attitude supposed to be to love them anyway, to try to SAVE them...or turn the other cheek?

[the Deejay]

No, these Lib, God-hating thugs
are going way beyond the pale
lately. I hope they rot in
hell.

[the Deejay]

How long before churches start to burn?

Appears, not long.

Not long before churches are outlawed, either, as long as Christians don't take a stand and push them back.

[Diverdogz]

I'll skim through the New Testament in search of the clause where it tells Christians how to treat people who are "beyond the pale". I don't remember "wishing they rot in hell" as an appropriate sentiment, but maybe if I keep looking....

[CindyDawg]

Not all thiefs are human though. A neighbor down the street had a large nativity scene on their yard. At night baby Jesus would be on the hay. In the mornings a dog would be laying there.

[Quix]

A lot of this could be chalked up to the demonic forces and the mentalities proffered and encouraged these days in the body politic, the media; the society at large.

But I'm beginning to suspect that there's some focused, directed, specific puppet master orders behind such nonsense.

I'd say "God have mercy on their souls" but some are sadly beyond that.

[muawiyah]

The list is incomplete. In any case, there really shouldn't be any vandalism.

[Quix]

I mean, step back folks, take a look at the whole . . .

--SKERRY declares that our military should be under UN control.

--the ACLU intensifies it's assaults on Christianity right and left.

--University assaults on Christian students are at an all time high.

--There's never been an assault on CHRISTmas in the USA as this year in our 200+ years of existence.

I just can't come up with any other conclusion but that the puppet masters have determined to turn up the heat and speed up the process toward satanic Godlessness and a rush to a world government ready to mandate such on the citizens of the world a la Biblical predictions. Nothing else matches the data, to me.

[sevry]

How long before churches start to burn?

Liberals hate what they hate. But then that isn't so far different from the 'Bible-only' Protestants of just a few generations ago. They tried to outlaw Catholicism in the US.

Maybe what's needed if a full NRA membership and training for caretaker staff. But the better way, obviously, is prayer. And Protestants would refuse to pray the Rosary. They refuse in the neo-Catholic churches. And that's as Protestant as you get.

[the Deejay]

I'd say "God have mercy on their souls" but some are sadly beyond that.

My sentiments exactly.

[NYer]

Tolerance defined by the Left is only for homosexuals, race baiter's, and socialists.

You forgot the Muslims.

[ezoeni]

Not to mention we are in a war with Islam and they’re religious views.

Christians and Muslims at it again with the liberal left running around nipping at the heals of the right.

What interesting times.

Merry Christmas – Load em if ya got em

[the Deejay]

At night baby Jesus would be on the hay. In the mornings a dog would be laying there.

How sweet is that?

Brings tears to my eyes, just seeing it in my mind's eye.

[ElkGroveDan]

Isn't the Christian attitude supposed to be to love them anyway, to try to SAVE them...or turn the other cheek?

As my sainted mother used to say, "After a while you run out of cheeks to turn..."

[Gritty]

.. the 'Bible-only' Protestants of just a few generations ago. They tried to outlaw Catholicism in the US.

I must have missed that in American History class. Can you kindly supply some details and references?

[highlander_UW]

No, these Lib, God-hating thugs are going way beyond the pale lately. I hope they rot in hell.

I don't...I hope they open their ears to the Holy Spirit and seek eternal salvation.

[the Deejay]

As my sainted mother used to say, "After a while you run out of cheeks to turn..."

She's exactly right!

[Doc On The Bay]

BY NO MEANS, Should ANY CHURCH , "Give up!!"

ANY DECENT CHRISTIAN should "Stand Watch," & IDENTIFY the PSYCHOPATHS who would Destroy the Symbols of "Christian Faith!!"

The Widespread Extent of the Destruction of Christian Symbology indicates an "Anti-Christian Conspiracy!---"

To Date, the "Christian Faith has NEVER "Engendered such a Violent Response!!"

VIRULENT "Anti-Christian Responses" have Usually originated in "Belief Systems" INTOLERANT of Other Beliefs!! (cf. "Islam!")

IF, in fact, the followers of "Islam" are the Psychopaths who are Destroying the "Symbols of Christianity," then We Are "AT WAR" with "Islam!!"

'To This Date, there is NO indication that the "Followers of Islam" have EVER "Contributed one Single Thing" to the "Progression of our Species!!"

"Despite Our Hopes," "ISLAM" has NEVER BEEN other than a "Force of Destruction" in our Culture!!

Doc

[Quix]

Just got this in email. It seems very fitting, to me.

In God We Once Trusted
Oracle Commentaries
12/11/2004

Though it has been said many times ­ much more eloquently than I can say it ­ America's first foundational premise is that there is a Creator-God, and it is this Creator-God who alone gives mankind his rights, not human government.

Governments that grant them (Such as the United Nations) can also take them away. But God-given rights take precedence over any government.

This is the entire basis of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

This is why our founding fathers made such statements as the following: We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion ... Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate
to the government of any other.

­ John Adams, 2nd U.S. president)
It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

­ Patrick Henry
.. Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. National prosperity can neither be obtained nor preserved without the favor of
Providence.

­ John Jay, first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent, our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian. No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation (State or National) because this is a religious people ... this is a Christian nation.

­ U.S. Supreme Court, 1892
We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being .. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs; it follows the best of our traditions. For it then
respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs. To hold that it may not would be to find in the Constitution a requirement that the government show a
callous indifference to religious groups.

That would be preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe ... We find no Constitutional requirement which makes it necessary for government to be hostile to religion and to throw its weight against efforts to widen the effective scope of religious
influence.

­ U.S. Supreme Court, 1952
In the light of our history and founding principles, how dare such cursed organizations as the ACLU pretend to represent the meaning of the U.S. Constitution or interpret its intent. Religion, particularly Christianity, is not only embedded in our founding documents, but also established by consistent historical
profession by our government institutions.

Even the current decisions of our Supreme Court on the myth of separation of Church and State are clearly out of step with the established historical views of the Supreme Court. Most of the current Supreme Court justices are not interpreting law, but seeking to rewrite our most sacred and important foundational premise of law ­ that they
issue from our Creator-God, to whom virtually all of our great leaders of the past appealed publicly.

Why is it that George Washington instituted a day of Thanksgiving to God?

Why is it that the U.S. Congress in 1895 passed the law to have "In God We Trust" placed on all our currency"?

Why is it that it is written over the entrance of the Supreme Court building, "In God We Trust"?

Why has it been from the beginning that presidents and other national and state leaders are sworn in with their hand on the Christian Bible"?

Why do they close the oath with, "So help me God"?

The latest obscenity that has been attempted by a small minority of anti-God citizens ­ with the help of the ACLU's continued crusade to stamp out all public expression of faith in God ­ is a situation in North Carolina and Georgia. Grieving families of loved ones killed in
automobile crashes place crosses along the highways at the place where they were killed.

The anti-God group is protesting that placing a cross on government owned right of way constitutes a violation of the "separation of Church and State."

What is next for these people? Will they go to government cemeteries for our military, such as Arlington National Cemetery, and demand that all crosses be removed from the graves of our fallen heroes?

What is it going to take for the vast majority of God-fearing Americans to wake up and say, "Enough is enough"? We need to make it known loudly and clearly, religion is our foundational heritage. If you want to live here, welcome. But if you want to remove the very thing without which our great country will self-destruct, Get out!

As the second U.S. president, John Adams, clearly warned: "... Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

The fact that there has been a calamitous decline of both of the above in our nation is the reason we are having so much trouble trying to govern these days. It is the reason our courts are overloaded and jails overcrowded.

Wake up Americans. God is giving us His last warnings. Return to the founding principles of our forefathers before there is nothing to salvage.

Hal is at home recovering from knee replacement surgery. This column was first published in December, 2003. We ask for your prayers for Hal's speedy recovery.

Hal Lindsey

[the Deejay]

I agree 1000% with all you stated in your post # 40.

WELL SAID!!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Could a Nativity scene be considered IDOL WORSHIP ?

How many other things in religious life could be considered idolitry ? The Christmas tree maybe ? as i dont condone destroying some ones property or stealing it im unsure in Bible terms what could or would be considered and idol !

[Quix]

YUP. SO TRUE.

And, AMEN!

[mlmr]

I am not sure that most of the desecration is from Islam. Mostly, from the unchurched and hateful, is my guess.

[dennisw]

Could this be  .... Satan!

[oceanperch]

Christians are Humans. Humans are sinners, but we strive everyday to live our lives as Christs vessels.

IMO The haters of Christ and Christians can vandalize everything symbolic they want but they cannot take our Love of Christ his teachings, faith or hope away.

Meanwhile remember Christians are human too.

[NYer]

Though it has been said many times - much more eloquently than I can say it - America's first foundational premise is that there is a Creator-God, and it is this Creator-God who alone gives mankind his rights, not human government.

Well, I am frankly surprised to hear such an admission from Hal Lindsay, who deals more in the supernatural than reality. However, his statement is correct. To this I would add Santayana's famous quote: "Those who do not learn from history are forced to repeat it".

Everything old is new again. All that we are now experiencing has happened before, in the great empires. Where are those empires now? Rome? Athens? They all collapsed under the weight of secularism. Turn your back on God and He will turn His on you. It's really quite simple.

[Cloud William]

..."God have mercy on their souls"...

Yes, and the sooner, the better.

[oceanperch]

Fancy meeting you here. : )

It is a rest day for us in between shifts and I have had the pleasuer of two naps and working on a third.

Busy week ahead.

Enjoy your Sunday. Peace be with you.