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.”
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Could this Nation reject Christ any further? If we truly have Freedom of Speech tell me why the County Courthouses and other Courts are being forced into removing the Ten Commandments…isn't that Freedom of Speech? Christians nor the founding of the Country are no longer respected. God said at some point everyone will bow down before Him…that day could be sooner than we think!
That is one frightening Christmas display. There is the issue of Freedom of Speech, but what ever happened to morals & dignity?
If I saw it I'd tear it to shreds in a heartbeat.
I don't see anything wrong with this. The artist is trying to make a point of the excessive greed & consumerism in this world.
"Oh but it could affect the children when they grow up " – really? And telling your children Santa is real will have no affect whatsoever, I don't think so.
The artist has the right and permission for it to be there, just like you have the right to hate it with a passion.
I'm all for a cruicifed mayor display. I am sure that should not offend muslims, islamic or any other country our nation has bombed or invaded.
The True Hebrew Messiah was 'born during the God of Israel's set apart appointments which is laid out in Leviticus 23 Called Feast of Tabernacles His conception was during the Feast of Dedication. Which is Hanukkah (also the festival of lights he was to become the light of the world). The Hebrew Messiah kept the Feast of Dedication ( John 10:22) Also, he became flesh and tabernacle among his people Israel John 1: 14 He never said to remember his birthday. We are to remember his death during passover. 1Cor 5:7, Luke 22:19. The TRUE Hebrew Messiah was not born December 25th. The Greek Messiah was born December 25th along with SUN GOD, Mithras, Nimrod, Baal, RA, Tammuz, Molech.
You do not have the right not to be offended. Free speech is free speech. Hate it but fight to protect it.
This is typical of the elected in our country, from Hussein down to county officials.
We do not have the right NOT to be offended. Free speech is free speech. Love it…hate it…but fight to protect it.
GOD comes before everything.Man or the state doesn't come before GOD. If your going to separate church and state you might as well be an atheist or a pagan.
I'd have told my kids "Cut backs. They can't afford separate displays so this one covers Halloween, Christmas and Easter."
Someone should have put a Pilgrim hat on it.
People are absolutely, incredably sick, twisted people. So you can display Santa hanging from the cross on Courthouse lawn, but a cross can't be displayed or navity scene to recognize why Christmas is celebrated? OFFENDED I AM! SHAME ON YOU!
Perhaps they should have posted a sign saying…….This is the demonic evil of athieism on display for all to see. I am proud of the woman who tore this thing down.
Yeesh hasn't anyone seen the Nightmare Before Christmas?
Ahhh ha ha! *love*
it lacks decency.
Christians only care about free speeh when they are the ones talking.
Would the NAACP and the ACLU consider it freedom of speech if I were to place a crucified MLK display in my front yard?
I say the town gets all the 3, 4, 5, and six year old kids to a town meeting so the "artist" can explain why Santa is dead and a skeleton. If he wants to make a free speech statement, finish it and explain it to those little kids. I truely beleive in and have protected free speech, but not at the expense of innocence.
Does anyone remember what Christmas is all about? Separation of church and state has been sadly taken out of context as well. Sad for those who know what has been lost…even sadder for those who will never know.
g Freedom of speech, huh? How about this? You athiest, agnostic God hating hypocrital, liberal, hateful f@(%ing piece of shyt I hope youburn in hell for eternity! Especially you jeff!
I will say this only once- You will NEVER EVER take my GOD and my BELIEFS and TRADITIONS away from ME and MY FAMILY! Do You Understand Me?
I think that Jeff should go back out there and put it back up. How many times have I had to hear about how Halloween is a satanic holiday that shouldn't be celebrated? Well it is not.. it is a pagan holiday (just like christmas) and shouldn't be celebrated by Christians.
Oh man, this is really ticking me off! Can't you tell? If I saw that I would rip it apart and set it on fire!
Would it still be "Free Speech" if it was Mohammad on the cross?
Here's some "Constitutionally-protected free speech:" F*** Leesburg, VA.
I'm offended….take it down now! Isn't that how it works? Oh…except if you're a Christian–the rules of offensiveness are very confusing.
It's time to put up crosses….we'll just call it 'expressing ourselves as artists'…works for them..
The atheists supporting this display are the first ones to complain about a display promoting religion. I agree that Christmas is over commercialized. Do I have to offend people to make my point? Of course not.
The poor soul that erected this will have to explain his/her actions on Judgement Day. I will be praying for you and may God bless and keep you.
You appear, like many posting here, to be confusing God with Santa. Most secularists support Santa…I was under the impression most christians did not as he took away from the true meaning of the season….?
Regardless, the youth that erected this did it for neither of those reasons – he did it to speak out about the consummerism and commercialization of xmas, and instead bring it back to practicing the "goodwill" of the season. Granted, he did it in a rather graphic way, but he is just a teenager. I wonder why god would judge him for something like like?
This was intentionally done to incite a riot nothing more nothing less by Atheists and the individuals that allowed this knew this was going to happen and even provoked it by allowing it to be put up. Those responsible for this stupidity should be voted out of office or fired….
I'm angry that things like this happen. I get mad about every bullshit thing I see.
I live in Leesburg and drove past this yesterday…I have never been happier to see something torn down. What a disgrace to all human beings! My daughter is to walk in the town Parade Saturday, with he girl scout troop, no way that would have stayed there!
ok I live in Ohio I am going to put up a variety of crosses 1 of the current santa on display, 1 of a black santa on display , 1 of Jesus , 1 of Bin Laden, 1 of our current president, 1 of the pope. where does this all end. the santa we speak of is very offense It is in really pour taste. I think it does say free speach and very very poor judgement.
I have no problem with freedom of speech. I do, however, have a problem with those who excuse vandalism.
As one of the nine people on the Board of Supervisors in Loudoun County where these outrageous displays keep appearing, the legal choices we were given are: 1) ban all displays, 2) allow all displays regardless of content up to the number of spots available, or 3) install a govt sponsored display that covers all the secular and religious elements for the season. This all pretty much started as an attack on the nativity scene. So, the community two years ago asked for choice#2. So, that is the policy and the religious symbols of Christmas show up as well as the mockeries and obnoxious displays. Given the uncivil and intolerant few who keep up the yearly ridiculousness, the next board is likely to spend tax dollars for an official govt display. In this case, the "free market" isn't working. It's a sad state when people spend so much energy on negativity and devising ways to mock others who have different beliefs. I Think that the world would be a much better place if that energy were directed to helping others in need. Do something good for a change.
This is so wrong but it is what the world has come to. Jesus said that the world would hate us because the world hated Him.
You won't find me living in a state with voters that would vote in such officials that would allow such a display of vulgarity. God will show his disgust also.
What message are you sending our kids when you have MORONS like atheist who want to control our celebration of Christ. Christmas is for the kids. All atheist can kiss my a s s.
Since when did Christians find Santa to be an acceptable part of the true meaning of Xmas? Maybe in the traditional sense, but doesn't Santa and all the commercialism associated with him detract from the true meaning of xmas? Reading previous posts from some of Todd's rants, most of the posters seem to be pretty adamant that Santa has nothing to do with xmas. Why the change all of a sudden?
Why isn't this considered a hate crime?
Real bunch of sickos.
Real bunch of sickos. Bob Frantz on WTAM1100 Cleveland had this on tonight when I was on my way home from a community meeting.
Had Bob Frantz WTAM1100 cleveland discussing this tonight on my way home from a community meeting. Frantz was just livid over this. Also Frantz is for saying Merry Christmas.
Had some callers who are Jewish mention they are not offended by "Merry Christmas". Go figure.
Had Bob Frantz WTAM1100 cleveland discussing this tonight on my way home from a community meeting. Frantz was just livid over this. Also Frantz is for saying Merry Christmas.
Had some callers who are Jewish mention they are not offended by "Merry Christmas". Go figure.
well at least they didn't crucify Allah, the outrage would be overwhelming.
If this is the second year in a row a permit to display a piece of art on public property by an artist that wishes to display his art at the Christmas season and denigrate the holiday deserves a closer look at the approving authority. This sounds like someone has an axe to grind at the government level besides the "artist". If this is art I wonder what the criteria really is. Perhaps someone could request a display denigrating Mohammed during Ramadan. I bet the policy would get a lot clearer a quickly.
I wonder if someone went to that court house and submitted an application to put up a 10 Commandments display… if that would be approved? I think we can guess what that answer would be.
can I get one for my front lawn?
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual Christian and secular holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, along with themes such as family, goodwill, giving and compassion. It incorporates Christian religious ceremonies with the traditions of ancient winter festivals such as Yule and Saturnalia. Christmas traditions include Nativity scenes, the exchange of gifts, the arrival of Santa Claus, Christmas cards and decorations and the display of Christmas trees.
Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day. Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. These dates are merely traditional and neither is thought to be the actual birthdate of Jesus.
Christmas is celebrated in most countries around the world, owing to the spread of Christianity and Western culture, mixed with the enduring popularity of exisiting winter celebrations. Various local and regional Christmas traditions are still practiced, despite the widespread influence of American and British Christmas motifs disseminated by film, popular literature, television, and other media.
Atheists can kiss my a s s.
Welcome to the rhetoric of the next civil war. A classic battle of good verses evil. While "evil" currently has the upper hand, the patience of "good" is running out.
People are offended by a ridiculous but legal display. How many of you have spent more time at your church than your Mall? The commercialization and enforced gift card culture is destroying the love and joy that Christ taught.
We need to start ignoring these court rulings and stop appeasing these small minority of people who get offended by anything religous. Why are we even giving these people the time of day? We should be telling them, "If you don't like it than don't look."
God will not be mock.
Strange. People want to remove all visible signs of religion from the public arena, although they seem to give a pass to Muslims. What would happen if the Christian Cross, the Hebrew Star of David, and the Muslim Crescent were banned from public display? Well, there would still be one icon left. The icon of the aethiest. What is that you might ask. That is the empty space which stands for what aethiests believe in. Nothing. Nada. Nil. Zip. Zilch. Null. An empty Void. Now I have to ask… would that not violate this so called seperation between Church and State? Is this the kind of political correctness so many have died for? The founding fathers were Christians (with rare exception). The displayed Judeo-Christian icons everywhere, and based much of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence upon Judeo-Christian ethics and morals. Yet Dear Leader stands up and says we are not a Christian nation? That Muslims have been at the very foundation of this great nation. Oh, yeah? Where? This is like a co-worker of mine who said that not one African American or their ancestors ever immigrated voluntarily to this nation. He heard that from his mother and his minister. I proved him wrong and he changed his view.
Finally. Why should anyone, no matter what they believe, wish to ruin the entire season for others…. especially children? That's just plain cruel. Next they'll try to tell me there is no Tooth Fairy or Easter Bunny!
Well said Spike.
Dick Selby – Gee, thanks. I didn't know anybody I knew read these articles, let alone read the posts. LOL
Well said Dave! Couldn't have said it better…and by the way…have a Merry CHRISTMAS
GREAT Dave… just read this… U R the smartest man I know!!! Now if everyone would just start listening to U !! Hugs!