You really wouldn't think something as innocuous as a nativity set would upset people. It's pretty. It's sweet. It's a baby.
Apparently it is upsetting to some atheists who find the one at the state capital in Austin offensive. Now, obviously I don't understand. It isn't hurting anyone. Growing up, there was always a manger outside the courthouse in the small town in Indiana where I come from. The town wasn't sponsoring a religion it was just respecting the members who believe.
The nativity scene in Austin wasn't paid for using public funds. A private group donated it. The state is simply respecting a large percentage of the population of the state of Texas who chose to celebrate Christmas. I am sure they would do the same with any religion that choses to donate something, within reason. (I doubt something morally offensive would be displayed nor should it be).
So what is it about a sweet little baby Jesus that is so troubling to a group of people who choose to believe in nothing? After all, our government is full of nothing every single day. There are hundreds of branches of Christianity so the state is not sponsoring any religion. If atheists are so sure there is no God then a few little statues of a cute baby and his momma and daddy shouldn't upset them. After all, Jesus was a historical person. Should we remove the statues of Sam Houston next?
If you choose to not believe I respect that. Respect my right to believe. It isn't hurting you. If you don't want to see the manger, don't look. Don't hide behind the 1st amendment because we all have rights including the people who donated the nativity set. They have a right as citizens of the great state of Texas to be Christians and donate to their state a symbol of their faith.
People have gotten off track and way too wrapped up in things that just don't matter. If you want to protest something, protest injustice, poverty, animal abuse, spousel abuse, traffic laws for heaven sake! Make some difference where it matters but leave God alone, and Allah, and whomever else.
Can I get an amen?
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