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California Atheists Snap Up Nativity Spaces

Christians get just 2 of 21 spaces in Santa Monica park

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 13, 2011 5:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Santa Monica's Christians are crying foul over a lottery system that has left 18 of the 21 park spaces that usually hold Nativity scenes in the hands of atheists. A Jewish group snagged another spot, leaving the California city's church with just two spaces and only enough room to display three of the usual 14 scenes, the Los Angeles Times reports.

A local atheist who put up a display last year that included the Thomas Jefferson quote "Religions are all alike—founded on fables and mythologies"—says he encouraged other atheists to compete for other spaces this year. A spokesman for the city's churches accuses the atheists—who are mostly out-of-towners—of stifling their freedom of expression by conspiring to force out Nativity scenes.

In Santa Monica this year, you'll be more likely to see a sign wishing you a Happy Solstice.
In Santa Monica this year, you'll be more likely to see a sign wishing you a Happy Solstice.   (Shutterstock)
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By trying to push the Nativity scene out of the park and silence us, these people are infringing on our freedom and 1st Amendment rights. - Nativity organizer Hunter Jameson

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 172 comments
Truth777
Dec 16, 2011 11:36 PM CST
The root cause of Atheism is Satan.
hopeandchange
Dec 14, 2011 2:39 PM CST
For all those atheists that would like to see a clear explanation of Christianity without all the legalism and guilt usually associated with the study,  I recommend a book by C.S. Lewis called "Made for Heaven". It's a thinking persons book but written in the old academic style so some find it a little wordy.  But for the person that honestly wants a clear explanation of what Christianity is about, I can't think of a better one.  The ultimate gold standard for this type of study is "Mere Christianity"  but its an extremely scholarly read written in a style that puts many people off unless they have a seriously long attention span.
VOTR_RON_PAUL_2012
Dec 13, 2011 9:08 PM CST
If atheist want to be athieist let them,but if christians want to believe they should be able to with out interuption from atheist. Live nd let live.     Jesus 1st for me Ron Paul 2012 2nd

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