Looks like this group got a little more than it bargained for when it got its nativity scene out in public. Im sure they are reeeeallly happy to be sharing the land with Zoroastrians and Seinfeldians. I can hear the teeth grinding now. :lol

 

'Seinfeld' Festivus display vies with Nativity

Christmas scene allowed on public property, so are other religions

 

BARTOW, Florida (AP) -- When a Florida church group put a Nativity scene on public property, officials warned it might open the door to other religious -- and not-so-religious -- displays. They were right.

 

Since the Nativity was erected in Polk County, displays have gone up honoring Zoroastrianism and the fake holiday Festivus, featured on the TV sitcom "Seinfeld."

 

The Polk County Commission voted 4-1 Wednesday to permit the Nativity scene to remain across the street from the courthouse, as well as to make that area a "public forum" open to any type of display.

 

But the commission insisted that unless someone claims a particular display and submits a written request asking it remain, it would be removed. By Wednesday evening, no one had claimed the Festivus display, and the commission said it would come down; a woman claimed the Zoroastrianism display, which was to stay.

 

The debate began December 15 when a handmade creche with the figures of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus was erected by a Bible study group from the First Baptist Church of Bartow.

 

"The real spirit of Christmas is the birth of Christ," said Marvin Pittman, a retired law enforcement officer and member of the congregation. "We felt it needs to be in the public eye, so we did it."

 

Other displays are fine, too, he said, adding, "If somebody wants to do that, it's their right."

 

And true to form, the site almost immediately sprouted alternative displays, including a simple sign that reads: "Festivus for the Rest of Us -- Donated to Polk County by the Seinfeld Fan Club."

 

The display, a reference to the fake holiday featured on an episode of the television sitcom, did not include the totem of Festivus -- a bare aluminum pole instead of a tree. Key rituals of Festivus include accusing others of being a disappointment and wrestling.

 

Another display celebrating Zoroastrianism was erected by Stella Darby, who wanted to encourage people to research the ancient Persian religion.

 

Richard Blank, a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, objected to the Nativity scene's presence on public property, arguing it violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

 

"The Nativity scene is totally celebratory of the birth of Christ," he said. "Not everyone subscribes to that, and those who do should put it on their own property."

 

But a board member who voted to allow the creche as part of the "public forum" disagreed with Blank. "A group had asked to display a scene important to their beliefs; I felt we shouldn't suppress their right to do so," said Commissioner Samuel K. Johnson.

As long as people aren't trying to get rid of all signs of Christianity, I'm fine with it. :thumbup

Festivus > *

hahaha. sweet.

my only problem with this is that it is CHRISTmas. this anti christianity people never have a problem with taking the day off.

my only problem with this is that it is CHRISTmas. this anti christianity people never have a problem with taking the day off.

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Oh please, I'm sure there are plenty of racists who get Martin Luther King Day off. Next?

Festivus!

my only problem with this is that it is CHRISTmas. this anti christianity people never have a problem with taking the day off.

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Oh please, I'm sure there are plenty of racists who get Martin Luther King Day off. Next?

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And I am sure there are many people who take off Rosh Hashanah and are anti-semites.

 

 

 

 

 

That point of your's Orisha has just been blasted out of the water by Fritz than me.

Stupid ACLU. The area is open to all types of displays, so the state isnt imposign a religious belief. sorry ACLU, youre antichristian ways have been thwarted yet again by your own stupidty. Zoroastrianism is on the rise it seems, is the bush administration trying to impose that? ACLU get ready to fight zoroastriasnism and seinfeldism

beinfest, so what are you waiting for to attack the president lighting up a christmas tree in the white house? or what about it being a national holyday?

beinfest, so what are you waiting for to attack the president lighting up a christmas tree in the white house? or what about it being a national holyday?

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When was I attacking the President for lighting up a christmas tree in the White House? I have no problem with that as it is a Christian president, and if theres ever a Jewish president, I am sure the menorah will be lit.

 

 

Rosh Hashanah is a holy day too and I am not implying anything but there are a great majority of Jews in vital service jobs such as doctors, government work, business. Without the people working on our holy day of Rosh Hashanah, there are business' that simply can't operate.

 

 

And it isn't a national holy day, if it was the church would be in charge. Its a holy day that affects the nation not vice versa.

is that why school close?

and it is a christian president, but the white house is not his private home, it is a federal building.

is that why school close?

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Schools close on Rosh Hashanah smart one.

and it is a christian president, but the white house is not his private home, it is a federal building.

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Let me rephrase it. If the President put up a gigantic cross in the White House I'd begin get worried.

why aren't you complainning about schools closing on certain religious holidays then? shouldn't the government be oblivious to that?

 

what's the difference between a cross and a christmas tree? a christmas tree symbolizes a celebration for the birth of baby jesus.

Christmas is very interesting. This holiday has become more than a religious celebration, to the point where many people who are atheists will still put up a tree and give presents. Its a national holiday in addition to a christian holiday.

why aren't you complainning about schools closing on certain religious holidays then? shouldn't the government be oblivious to that?

 

what's the difference between a cross and a christmas tree? a christmas tree symbolizes a celebration for the birth of baby jesus.

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Dude, Christmas trees are stolen from Germanic pagan beliefs where they worshipped trees. Don't you remember in the Bible it says not to worship false idols? That's basically what a Christmas tree is.

almost everything in christianity is borrowed from ancient pagan religions.

 

but that's not the point. the point is when you celebrate christmas (that's why it's called a christmas tree and not a pagan tree) you are celebrating the birth of christ.

why aren't you complainning about schools closing on certain religious holidays then? shouldn't the government be oblivious to that?

 

what's the difference between a cross and a christmas tree? a christmas tree symbolizes a celebration for the birth of baby jesus.

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Dude, Christmas trees are stolen from Germanic pagan beliefs where they worshipped trees. Don't you remember in the Bible it says not to worship false idols? That's basically what a Christmas tree is.

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Either way ive never met anyone who worships a christmas tree