Dec 6, 2011
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A Christmas display outside the courthouse in Leesburg, VA featuring Santa Claus crucified on a cross was torn down by an angry resident in spite of arguments by elected leaders that the display was Constitutionally-protected free speech.
“I am shocked that the county would allow such a thing as a crucified Santa on the courthouse lawn,” Elizabeth McGuirk, a mother of three told Leesburg Today. She it would “seriously disturb my children.”
“Disgusting, outrageous and absurd,” Supervisor-elect Ken Reid told MyFoxDC.com. “This fellow crossed the line. I’m worried about kids seeing this at the parade Saturday.
The display was erected by Jeff Heflin, whose application was submitted and approved by the Loudon County Board of Supervisors.
“The county would not dismantle it, the county gave it permission for it to be there,” Supervisor Steven Miller told the local newspaper. “We had the same thing happen a year ago when Ed Myers put up some vulgar parody lyrics of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Well those came down within an hour and that’s vigilantes.”
The Loudon Times reported that Heflin described his display as “art work of Santa on a cross to depict society’s materialistic obsessions and addictions and how it is killing the peace, love, joy and kindness that is supposed to be prevalent during the holiday season.”
“It was meant to show the over-commercialization of Christmas,” said Jonathan Weintraub, of the NOVA Atheists. “I agree. It is over commercialized. People should keep their hands off the display, all the displays.”
The display was torn down by an unidentified local resident, according to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Dept. So far, no one has been arrested.
Gisela Bresler wrote a letter to the county leaders condemning the exhibit, calling it a mockery that dishonors the Christian religion.
“As I was coming to the Courthouse this morning, I was confronted by one of the most repulsive and disgusting displays of the misuse or our free speech that I have ever had the misfortune to witness,” Bresler wrote in a letter published in the Loudon Times. “In front of the Old Courthouse building there is a display of a cross with a Santa suit draped over it and the Santa has a skull for a face.”
“Perhaps the person or organization that displayed this monstrosity wants to make a point that Christmas is dead, or that Christ is dead,” the letter continued. “The point is that free speech is a two-way street. It is fine for whoever decided to display this obnoxious thing to have it displayed, but it is also correct for those who are insulted by it to speak against it. I am, therefore condemning this and I am repulsed by the fact of it.”
FOX News Talk
Christians, this is wrong on multiple levels! First of all, Santa is not real. We should stop telling our children lies. There is no justification in the Bible for this. Second of all, we were never commanded to erect a wooden cross for any religious purpose. Jesus is not on the cross anymore. And the list goes on and on. As a matter of fact, if a Christian chose not to celebrate Christmas at all, he would certainly fall within Biblical guidelines. Anyone with a Christian worldview should be able to walk up to this strange display and have an open discussion with their child about the shallow nature of American culture. I would welcome it as a chance to teach my children how the Gospel transcends all these icons. My two-cents worth.
What about the rights of the children to believe in Santa? I am pretty sure a 5 year old would not immediately recognize this as an expression against the commercialization of Christmas. This is just going to scare them. I personally believe art should be thought provoking but not shocking with total disregard to the beliefs of the majority that will see it.
I should add that I do not advocate the belief in santa but I have no right to bash that over any one else's head if they wish to teach it to their children. Also as a Christian I worship Jesus not the cross, the cross is symbol of the suffering Christ paid for my sins.
Read the story about St. Nicholas….I liked the link. St. Nicholas Day was yesterday. St. Nicholas Day and Christmas merged together at some point. We should have exchaned gifts yesterday, not at Christmas.
Looks like a Halloween display gone terribly wrong.
I'm not a practicing Pagan, but once belonged to a Pagan group on a state campus. On campus, events both religious and otherwise are held freely. In preparation for a worship event (we were making a prayer circle for Samhain, an ancient holiday that formed the roots of Halloween), a Christian group threatened to surround our prayer circle and loudly "pray" in order to disrupt our event. Muslim worship centers are routinely terrorized in the United States. Please do not assume that Christianity is the only religion that is persecuted, and do not think for a second that Christianity doesn't enjoy a vast slew of social protections that other religions are not afforded.
Seems brilliant to me. I think the guy who put it up made his point, and it got a lot of attention. Well done. I don't really find it offensive, and I'm a Christmas loving consumer. It's amazing to think how making santa a skeleton could cause such outrage. The occupy movement takes up entire streets. This display looks like takes up just a couple square feet.
All the comments on here make me laugh, what the heck is a matter with all you people? This is what upsets you, really? The 600 comments posted here blaming liberals and Obama for a stupid Skeleton in a Santa suit summarizes what's wrong with America.
Whether it's Santa on the cross, or the Easter Bunny, or Jesus, what's the difference? They're all fictional characters.
It says at the top 666 comments.That must mean something, right? Can't possibly be a coincidence.
Oh wait… shit I ruined it.
Only a liberal would be stupid enough to come up with this.
What is so shocking is your tax money paid for this what are we coming to.
Yes- this display is certainly a commentary on the disintegration of the American Culture.
As vulgar as the display it, it can be viewed as a reminder that Christmas, the presence of Jesus Christ in the flesh, is linked to the cross for the salvation of all mankind.
Honestly. I'm not even sure how this is a particularly religious issue. The crucifixion or persecution symbolism has been routinely used in literature and art for millennia, and it's Santa Claus, after all. I don't recall him being a religious figure. He advertises for Coke, after all.
In the article the artist spells out exactly what he meant when he made this piece, and I find it rather eye-opening. Here lies Father Christmas, his visage symbolizing goodwill toward fellow human beings at a time when many major religions share a major holiday in Earth's darkest season. He has been sacrificed to the season's new gods, Walmart and Television.
If anything, this art piece displays a need to revive the traditional beliefs of Christmas, not a condemnation of them. Even if you think the art is tacky, you should be rallying around the message. Perhaps these discussions illustrate the problem more than anything: You're all so concerned with Atheist vilification over some plastic on a lawn while ignoring the fact that Christmas no longer means anything to much of America except shopping, movies, and presents.
When you log off tonight many of you'll think about last minute presents and what movie you'll watch on Christmas eve. When you wake up, your children will lament that Santa didn't get them the latest iPod and they'll go to play their new video games. You'll have a dinner, go home, and go about your lives, too stressed from travel, shopping, and family that you won't think twice about the homeless, the poor, and the unfortunate. Perhaps that Christmas Eve movie should be A Christmas Carol. Welcome to the Victorian era.
I want a love button. You have stated eloquently the very core of this issue. I have found that when one is shocked and hit to the core about art a deeper core issue needs to be addressed. I agree this is not particularly a religious issue.
thank you so very much
Someone needs to put up a nativity scene today!
Someone needs to put up a nativity scene today!
This is to funny! lmaooo
I don't know why but it sure seems to me that people forgeth our FIRST ammendment in our Constitution. Here it is: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. There is nothing in this that says we can condemn or persecute a person for their religious beliefs. We do have a right to stand up for what is constitutionally our right. Somehow people have been badgered about the freedom of speech so much too many think we Christians don't have a right to talk about our religion. There is NOTHING that tells us differently. And if our congress tries to amend this right we all need to fight them tooth and nail!
I thought it was good… Ather All Its Jesus day anyways. But Once I think about it lambs out of the stables at night is a given that it was summer.
Here is a special little angel¸¸.✫¸¸.·´¯`✫´¯`✫¸¸.·´¯`ღ
♥.♥*`•.¸¸♥ƸӜƷ♥.¸¸•♥.♥ to watch over¸.·´¯`✫
*•(¯`'•.¸ //(~_~)\ ¸.•'´¯)•* you today in ALL¸.·´¯`✫
(¯`'•. ╔╗╔╗╔╗╔═╦¸.•'´¯)……that you do today!
(¯`'•. ╠╣║║║╦╠═║¸.•'´¯)………. ¸.·´¯`✫
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ƸӜƷ ✫¸¸.·´¯`✫´¯`✫¸¸.·´¯` ♥ GOD BLESS YOU♥
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42Nf04plGk
Here is a special little angel¸¸.✫¸¸.·´¯`✫´¯`✫¸¸.·´¯`ღ
♥.♥*`•.¸¸♥ƸӜƷ♥.¸¸•♥.♥ to watch over¸.·´¯`✫
*•(¯`'•.¸ //(~_~)\ ¸.•'´¯)•* you today in ALL¸.·´¯`✫
(¯`'•. ╔╗╔╗╔╗╔═╦¸.•'´¯)……that you do today!
(¯`'•. ╠╣║║║╦╠═║¸.•'´¯)………. ¸.·´¯`✫
(¯`'•. ╝╚╩║╚╝╚═╚═╝.•'´¯)¸¸.✫¸¸.·´¯`✫´
¯`✫¸¸.·´¯`ღ
ƸӜƷ ✫¸¸.·´¯`✫´¯`✫¸¸.·´¯` ♥ GOD BLESS YOU♥
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42Nf04plGk
Christmas HAS become over-commercialized. But this is no way to show it. I don't think of this so much as an attack on Christianity, but as an attack on the commercialization of a sacred holiday. I would not like my grandchildren to see this, but I hope all those who are so offended by this look deep inside and see if their actions may have caused the artist to feel this way. Christmas is on Dec.25 th, not Nov. 25 th. Christmas carols on the radio just after Halloween, Black Friday starting at 10:00 pm on Thanksgiving, people walking by a fallen old man at Walmart during the sales……..let's all try to make the season what it SHOULD be.
It's not really Santa on a cross. It appears that the skeleton in the Santa suit is propped on that to hold it up. It's more like a stand than anything. I'm not really sure what the point behind it is but I bet seeing Jesus on a cross scares little kids. In fact, I know when I was little and going to church, I got freaked the hell out every time I looked up and saw the Jesus on the cross statue. I think I had nightmares about it once or twice actually.
But I don't know what the point of this Santa skeleton thing was – maybe the person wanted to see how far he could go in getting a permit? There is only one side in this article. I'm not saying it's right but I don't see the big deal. Although little kids might cry and think Santa's dead. That's not very good.
This is my hometown and I am ashamed at it, Leesburg should be better than this disgusting garbage.
Ten displays were allowed. This displayed the commercialization of Chistmas and the loss of the spiritual meaning of Christmas. There are nativity scenes.
Ten displays were allowed. This displayed the commercialization of Chistmas and the loss of the spiritual meaning of Christmas. There are nativity scenes.
I can see the "artist's" intent… and get that it he was wanting people to remember it was "Christ" not Santa Claus who was born & later crucified NOT Santa… and perhaps the Leesburg board thought people may see this and think "get it" too. However great this might be in an art gallery… it definitely is disturbing to children and it is the town's responsibility to look at it from all perspectives before approving this kind of display. If its about separation of church & state… HELLOOOOOO… this is a very RELIGIOUS display. SMH
WHO ELECTS THESE PRICKS!
Wow….it looks like a deranged Halloween decoration! Sort of violation of the Nightmare Before Christmas, don't you think. Disney should sue! Not really art…..art takes time and thought. A makeshift cross, a cheap Santa costume and a skeleton face do not art make. Art takes time and thought. Can't believe anyone with intelligence would ok this as art….Kudos to whoever took it down…..politics and religion aside, this is blight no matter how you look at it.
The worlds going mad. Mother Nature is destroying the earth. Sex is open to all. Even sick sex. Babies stolen from their beds. Parents killing their children and children killing their parents. Rape, torture and murder running rapid. All I know is I am reading my Bible every day. Thanking God for all of my blessings. Begging forgiveness for all of my sins. Praying for His protection over my family, my friends all of the wonderful military service members that are fighting to keep Americans safe.
Also, I pray that those that do not believe in God's greatest sacerfice. Sending His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to suffer such a horrifically painful death on the cross; then rose on the third day wipeing away all of our sins will in some way find the way of the Lord and be saved. Don't hesitate you nonbelievers. The Golden Gates of Heaven are not far from opening and Jesus is going to be seen floating down from Heavens surrounded by his Angels. Us believers are the only ones that will be entering those pearly gates of Heaven. Praise Jesus because I am ready! Hope you are too!
As someone who lives in this town I feel that it is important that the whole story be told. The town of leesburg would put up a beautiful nativity each year and everybody loved it or atleast no one complained for decades, they also used to have a Christmas parade and would drive Santa through town on a firetruck giving out candy. Until, a lawyer from the ACLU drove through town and got dollar signs in his eyes, he doesn't even live here! He sued and in settlement the town agreed to open ten plots on the courthouse lawn, where the nativity had been, to town residents wishing o make any religious display. We've had the church of the Jedi, pastafarians, the church of the brotherhood against the aclu, even the church of the almighty f word was taken in stride, and all sorts of other light hearted protests against the rediculousness of the situation so before you go judging my town look at why this has happened, and I for one do not appreciates fox news exploiting my town for profit just like the aclu.
As someone who lives in this town I feel that it is important that the whole story be told. The town of leesburg would put up a beautiful nativity each year and everybody loved it or atleast no one complained for decades, they also used to have a Christmas parade and would drive Santa through town on a firetruck giving out candy. Until, a lawyer from the ACLU drove through town and got dollar signs in his eyes, he doesn't even live here! He sued and in settlement the town agreed to open ten plots on the courthouse lawn, where the nativity had been, to town residents wishing o make any religious display. We've had the church of the Jedi, pastafarians, the church of the brotherhood against the aclu, even the church of the almighty f word was taken in stride, and all sorts of other light hearted protests against the rediculousness of the situation so before you go judging my town look at why this has happened, and I for one do not appreciates fox news exploiting my town for profit just like the aclu.
Many Loudoun citizens apparently do not understand the Constitution. The Methodist Church has a beautiful creche less than a block away. I have one in my yard, and you can too. We don't need any displays at the Courthouse.
The Courthouse belongs to ALL Loudoun citizens – not just the ones who express a viewpoint you agree with. The people who vandalized a display they didn't like, broke the law and should be treated accordingly.
If you want to express your personal religious beliefs then I would suggest your own front yard is the appropriate place.
<https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-god-article/a-christmas-letter-from-jesus-by-rev-jim-luck/288691241168498>
Dear Christians, Isn't it God who judges and not you? Aren't you, in fact, admonished by God to not pass judgment on the threat of eternal damnation? If you read Romans 2:1 it says: "Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoeuer thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thy selfe, for thou that iudgest doest the same things." I'm worried deeply for your souls. Repent now for your judging of the people who put up the display and the people on this site, and toward non-Christians everywhere. Run home this instant and pray for HIS forgiveness. God will surely smite you if you don't (his words, not mine).
I think almost everyone is missing the point. I'm not entirely sure what the county or artist had in mind. But here is my thoughts when I first saw the picture above.
Christmas was originally a Christian Holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ, Gods gift to humans. Roughly 250 years after Christ's death came the beginnings of Santa or St. Nick. However, as time has passed little by little each year Christmas has become more about Santa and less about Christ. I don't see a person making fun of Christian beliefs. I see a man saying with the current state of Christmas. It's as if Christ is no longer on the cross because he's been replaced by Santa. I would venture that most of you who have left comments are just as guilty as the merchants of over commercializing Christmas. How many toys and other gifts do you buy your children? How much money do you spend? Do you put on the name tag " From Christ" or do you put "From Santa"? I'm just as guilty I put "From Santa".
God gave us his son. His son gave us life through his death and resurrection. St. Nicholas gave us Santa. He loved children and gave money, food and clothing to the families that were poor. So you tell me, each Christmas who do you really put on the cross.
This is all just my opinions and thoughts. I don't know you and you don't know me. Only I know what's in my heart as only you know what's in yours. I'm not asking you to tell me what's in your heart. I'm just asking you to truthfully look. You might be surprised at what you find. As Christ said, "Let he among you that is without sin cast the first stone."
Maybe I'm way off base with this analogy. But as I said. "It is just my opinion and nothing else."
THIS IS SO BLASPHAMOUS I HAVE NO WORDS….JUST A LOT OF PAIN IN MY HEART. JESUS DIED FOR US ON THE CROSS AND NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND THIS KIND OF LOVE HE HAS FOR ALL….WHETHER YOU LOVE HIM OR NOT. HE LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. HOWEVER, THIS IS BEYOND DISRESPECT AND SOME DAY THIS MORONIC PERSON AND THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ACCEPTED THIS TO BE DONE WILL PAY A HEAVY PRICE. I TRULY FEEL FOR THEM.
The person who tore it down is my hero!…When are Christians gonna start standing up for Christ?
I think the people are all very misguided and truly need to open there eyes and stop being so ignorent.
My question would be "Since when is terrorizing children legal and considered free speech?" All a display like this is going to do is scare young children and cause parents the suffering of explaining why someone would want to make them look at a "dead" Santa Claus.
It's real simple people, if you don't like something, grow up and move on, things like this just prove how juvenile you are. If you want to put crap like that up, do it on your own lawn, not one the rest of world has to see and by proxy suffer exposure to your delusions through.I hope the guy that did this runs into someone with small children in a dark alley one night soon, maybe a little knock about will get his head right.
Christmas is not actually Christian.. it is Roman Catholic. (pagan) It always has been.. There are many Protestant Christians out there that do not celebrate the Christ-Mass. This is actually humorous to me (as a Christian), I think it sends a positive message about the lies of this evil holiday.
Christmas is not actually Christian.. it is Roman Catholic. (pagan) It always has been.. There are many Protestant Christians out there that do not celebrate the Christ-Mass. This "Crucified Santa" is actually humorous to me (as a Christian), I think it sends a positive message about the lies of this evil holiday.
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