Santa Monica bans unattended displays at Palisades Park

Citing December's dust-up between atheists and Christian groups over seasonal religious dioramas, the Santa Monica City Council has agreed to bar private, unattended displays in Palisades Park.

After hearing emotional testimony from about 30 people, the panel voted 5 to 0 Tuesday night to eliminate an exception that had allowed churches, synagogues, atheists and others to erect displays at the public park and leave them unattended.

Some council members said that, although they personally enjoyed seeing the displays, they wanted to head off increasingly rancorous confrontations over freedom of speech and religion that would cost the city time and money.

"I approached this evening truly saddened to be at this point," said Councilman Terry O'Day, who said he had taken his daughters to see the displays. "I enjoy those Nativity scenes. They're a great teaching opportunity."

He added that the hardening of feelings on both sides made it clear to him that the best way for the tradition to continue would be to shift the displays to private property.

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Kathy

This is so insane. Political Correctness Strikes again!
- Sandy Kramer
  
  Just one small part of "Keep Christ Out of Christmas."
agbjr

If so-called unattended displays are not permitted then replace the static Nativity display with a LIVE Nativity. If the municipal authorities ban live animals use stuffed ones (that'll make the PETA crowd apoplectic!). I'm sure the local churches have many families more than willing to stand-in for the Holy Family, shepherders, and Wise Men.
keyboardshark

A few disgruntled atheists complain, so the libs shut everything down rather than following common-sense principles of free speech. Why not simply set aside a specific area for each group to erect a display? Oh wait, that is too reasonable.
- soccerreff
  
  You are talking about using intelligence and common sense. What is wrong with you? (tongue in cheek)
  - keyboardshark
    
    Yes, and too bad it's not more like the old Palisades Park (closed in 1971) in NJ before the days of the PC police, where the theme of the day was simply having fun. Anyone remember it and the song that made it famous?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkNVwV5zquM
Suzanne

Political commie BS. How come they don't object to the name "Santa Monica"? How dare the city be named after a SAINT!
- Nancy Sternberg
  
  A lot of cities in California have religious names. Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Fransisco. They will be changing those names next.
Benjamin

TO: Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation
RE: Your Recent Partial Victory

Dear Pain in the Ass,
WE (you included), have "Freedom OF Religion". Your organization would like "Freedom FROM Religion". Athiests like yourself, have Chosen not to have a belief … that is your personal choice. BUT Athiests seem to only be filing lawsuits against Judeo-Christian beliefs. Why is that? Why are you blaming Christians for the vandalism that got your panties in a bunch. You decided it was them? Not some random petty criminal on a whim, just passing by? Not any other religion could have done it? I mean, was there a culprit Caught, their beliefs announced during questioning by criminal investigators, brought to court or found guilty of the crime by a jury of their peers? Hell No. You made that call. Your org. seeks to eliminate the Free Exercise of Religion and Free Speech. Now I hope you have a Bigger twist in your Liberal panties… <expletive!>
http://www.sargee5.blogspot.com The Watchman

I rarely agree with any decision from any California legislative group, but, I'm afraid I have to side with the city of Santa Monica on this one. Their decision was practical and logical. No city or town needs to be fighting court battles when the money to fight is so tight. We all know that most, if not all California cities and towns are on the verge of bankruptcy, and we also know that they have brought this on themselves. Liberalism is not a good standard, regardless of where it is. California is a prime example of the distinct failure of liberal society. As long as there were no exceptions set aside for Islam or for Atheists, then above all the Santa Monica decision was at the very least a fair one. It is disgusting that the world has become so politically correct, but if my child needs to see a Nativity then I'd rather have him/her see it standing on it's own, and certainly not next to a Muslim shrine or an Atheist sign denouncing the teachings of Jesus Christ. Kind of 6 of one and a half dozen of the other. God Help Us