Peace Sign A Symbol Of Satan?

(AP)  A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.

Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.

"Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up," he said in a telephone interview Sunday.

Lisa Jensen said she wasn't thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing."

Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said she's not going to take it down until after Christmas.

"Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied," she said. "What if they don't like my Santa Claus."

The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board "will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive."

The subdivision's rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.

Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members.

[billion888]

i always belived the peace symbol were the acceptance of jesus christ by native american indians

[pakaal]

While I understand the benefits of being in an HOA, situations like this reveal the obvious problems it can cause. I think the biggest problem was that the overzealous President of this particular HOA, Bob Kearns, decided to try and use an innocuous symbol to push a narrow-minded political agenda.

[pakaal]

If you're as tired of seeing bushrocks1 message posted ad nauseum, please do what I did and report it by clicking on the "report this comment" link at the bottom of the message.

[duffyshort]

The mind control police are at work in Colorado. This is like the things that happened in Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union. Our federal government works harder at managing what people think than they do taking care of business in the middle east or in our management of the budget. It's like the novel 1984....This thinkspeak attitude filters down from the top. These nuts need to be neutered......RR

[sailorsgrave]

Man I'm really torn here..... I don't like HOA's or hippies.

[frankly6]

Pray to God that he will protect us from peace. Christ came so that we could be free to wage perpetual war.

[frankly6]

Down with peace! It's the tool of devil worshipers.

[kc19671]

This is a prime example of why homeowners associations are absolutely ridiculous. And that some people are small minded or have nothing better to complain about. Even if this was the homeowners way of protesting of the war in Iraq, (I don't think it is!!) isn't that the right of an American? Isn't that the reason (FREEDOM OF SPEACH) that we as Americans stand up and fight for our Freedom? Even for those who don't appreciate it or even deserve it. Is that not why we bleed, loose limbs, die for? "Freedom"

Stop and think before you decide that your neighbors don't have the right, the Freedom to hang a Christmas wreath of any kind on their home, just because you don't like it. That's the reason we fight and die for freedom. The right to live free, speak free, and express ourselves freely. And as for those who think it is a symbol of the devil, get a life. Wouldn't praying for them be more "Christian" than casting rocks? Just a thought for you.

[afmca]

This Colorado town is CLUELESS !!!! It is unbelievable how close minded and ignorant people can be concerning the U.S. Constitution. FREEDOM OF SPEECH -- duh !!! Satanic symbol? Would these people please go back and watch a film on Woodstock? Must be Republicans, they love to censor news they do not want to hear about. Would these people rather have a wreath with a big mushroom cloud in the middle to symbolize their love of war, death, and destruction. btw ... ask their children/soldiers in Iraq if they are fighting and dying so that their parents can act like gestapo agents at home?

[karateman39]

This is the reason I will never live in a neighborhood with an HOA. I refuse to have someone tell me what kind of mailbox to have, what type of fence (out of three) I can have, cars have to be in the garage, nothing in the driveway, etc. I will do with my house and my property as I see fit, within the zoning codes.

This homeowners association sounds like they want to control what people think when the put language like "divisive". Who decides what is divisive? I do not see a peace sign as divisive or a symbol of Satan (morons). I think she should take the wreath down and spell out peace with Christmas lights on her lawn or house. That surely cannot be considered divisive. It is the spirit of the season.

Oh wait, I forgot. heaven forbid we put anything up that portrays Christmas lest we offend anyone driving by who does not subscribe to the belief. (those type of people can stick it where the sun doesn't shine)