Churches uses live Nativity displays in response to ban

In response to a city ban on permanent Nativity displays in Palisades Park, a public place, some church organizations have staged a live, temporary Nativity scene using people to portray Joseph, Mary and other figures from the Bible. / CBS/CBS2/KCAL

In Santa Monica, California, this year's Nativity displays at a park will literally come alive.

In response to a city ban on permanent Nativity displays in Palisades Park, a public place, some church organizations have staged a live, temporary Nativity scene using people to portray Joseph, Mary and other figures from the Bible, CBS Los Angeles reported. A different church will stage a live Nativity scene until Dec. 23.

"We want to have a positive effect here in the community, because the nativity scenes have been a positive thing for the whole community, anyway, and we want to keep it that way," said Pastor Keith Magee of Trinity Baptist Church.

In June, the Santa Monica City Council barred private displays in the park in response to atheists' complaints of having religious displays on public property.

• Judge to deny L.A. churches' bid for nativity scenes

"It's a legal principle. It's our Constitution that, in order for the religious groups and people like me, who are not religious, to be free, we need to separate the church and the state. It's good for all of us," an atheist recently told CBS2/KCAL9.

Prior to that, Nativity displays have been a tradition at Palisades Park for years. Last month, a Los Angeles judge denied a request from churches to have the city open the park's spaces to private displays.

"It's a sad, sad commentary on the attitudes of the day that a nearly 60-year-old Christmas tradition is now having to hunt for a home, something like our savior had to hunt for a place to be born because the world was not interested," said Hunter Jameson of the Santa Monica Nativity Scene Committee.

CBS Los Angeles reported that several churches are suing in response to the city's ban, while the city is asking the court to reject the lawsuit.

[TheShadowNose]

Actually it DOES say "year of our Lord" where it is dated at the end.

[thanatosds]

So-let me get this straight. This individual,or group of individuals, wants a separation of church and state? So how does he accomplish this? Naturally, by taking his religious beliefs (atheism) into a state court. Makes sense to me!@#$%%&**(). That only seems to bring church and state closer than ever. Not to mention the fact that it looks like they (atheists) now have the right to put on display their religious opinions. Isn't that some kind of double standard? We can't pray in schools for fear of offending someone due to their beliefs so,what's next? We wont be able to say the Pledge Of Alliegence or sing the Star Spangled Banner due to racism or nationalism?

[Phred63]

FYI, the ban took place because of acts of vandalism by christians against atheist displays. The christians then claimed the city was violating their rights and trying to keep them from expressing their beliefs, because you know destroying the atheist displays, that was free speech obviously.

[stopkillingourwilderness]

hey, while you are out there, why not feed the hundreds of homeless who live in that park? WWJD, right?

[rnrstar]

What is the matter with doing these on church property? Oh yeah, when it's held there it doesn't have the veneer of being supported by the government. Is their religion so weak that they must get the assistance of government to prop it up?

[Phred63]

Let's see if I can explain this to you. You see, at one time, even the government at least played service to christianity. And so did most Americans. Then a select group, let's call them pharisees, decided to use their religion to holdthemselves above everyone else, and reasonable saw this, and many started to realize what they were taught in church might not be the truth, some rejected religion outright, others started reading the words of jesus for themselves and learning the truth, the result being the pharisees found themselves laughed at as much as they were listened to, and instead of being able to simply bully and intimidate people into going along, they found it neccessary try and force people to go along by act of violnce of law through government. because they really, really hate being laughed at by smart people.

[thanatosds]

What a lame response. The only way it would have the "veneer" of government support is if it were on display at the White House or at a court or civic center or some other officially recognized site. But you of course have the right to speak your peace no matter how ridiculous it sounds. Their religion is not so weak as to need government support, but rather so strong that they are not afraid to show it anywhere and everywhere they go, unlike some people who are so weak as to be afraid of making their religious beliefs known out in public but rather chose to hide behind some anonymous response in a public forum.

[sickofwhiners]

I might agree with the churches but for one thing. They would be the first ones out there protesting if a Muslim display was set up in the same park. If they are ok with other religions doing the same thing, I am okay with them doing it.