Girl, 13, writes letter asking for Longview nativity scene
LONGVIEW, Wash. – Breyanna Lea Siebert noticed something was missing when she looked at the Christmas decorations in Longview this year.
The nativity scene was gone from R A Long Square.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love snowmen, candy canes, snowflakes and all kinds of Christmassy things,” said Siebert.
A nativity scene, Siebert’s favorite Christmas decoration, had been a part of the park decorations as long as she could remember. So the 13-year-old wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper to let everyone know how she felt about this year’s omission.
“It would be nice if everybody could have something there,” she said. “And everybody could have the different symbols of Christmas without everybody getting offended.”
After she wrote the letter, Siebert found out she wasn’t alone.
A local church set up their nativity scene in the Civic Center. City officials said there’s no formal policy related to Christmas decorations.
Siebert said she was happy to see a nativity scene again this year.
“I’m also happy that I can get my opinion out there,” she said. “I think people should pay attention if kids make a valid argument and have facts to support it and stuff like that. I think people should pay attention to them.”
You can't argue with that (although I'm sure somebody will)
Hey, maybe they can set up that pink penalty box that the PC police just got yanked from the middle school, and then they'll have a "Negativity" Scene.
After reading some other the activities by this next generation, it's really good to hear that some kids are using their brains. Â A rational and fair argument. Â Well done!
A couple of weeks ago, the city of Santa Monica in CA decided to no longer allow the 60 year old tradition of the Nativity to be erected along Ocean Drive Blve, on Palisades Park. This diorama, several blocks long and a wonderful memory of evening walks with everyone else in the city, was much looked forward to each Christmas. This year, an old goat decided it offended his atheist sensitivities. AAaaaahhhh...poor baby. So it was taken down. However...it was reset not more than a mile or two away on private property...and the group that operates this Nativity has a couple of lawyers that will hopefully bring it back next year, in the same place. Sixty years! And the only thing it hurt was someone who doesn't believe in God. So what? What exactly does it hurt? If these things hurt you so badly that you have to complain about it...then you have some other issues that really need to be addressed.
@fracas Lovely, some figurines, a donkey, and a crib upset people, but thousands of naked bicyclists disrupting downtown portland, or say thousands of scantily clad homosexuals can parade through downtown portland, and displaying same sex physical romantic contact, and that's ok. The world is going to Hell..with a Rebel Yell. :-)
@KillsGermsOnContact Yep...I agree
I saw this young lady on the news last night. What a mature girl she is...very well-spoken, wise...and yet still enough of a "kid" to have mom and dad help with her spelling and grammar :) I think she'll go far indeed...
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Come on now. Have you not learned anything about being politicially correct? It's not right to use the word "retard" any more. In fact, it's really gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. No, of course not. A person's sexual preference is nobody's business but their own. I have friends who are gay. My father's gay.
 @KillsGermsOnContact Did you read this story? The one about the little girl and the nativity scene? Just wondering. How is your comment related?
@Pointblank @KillsGermsOnContact If you'll please notice, there was a comment that was deleted, that I had responded to. It contained a word that is no longer politically correct...so there.
I have mixed feelings on this.  I do not believe in God.  I don't mind saying Merry Christmas.  I am not offended by nativity scenes any more than I am offended by Santa.  I'd like to see it all is mythology except the impact of the dominant religion is not neutral for non believers.  Seven states include in their constitution a prohibition against non believers running for office.  Our pledge of allegiance includes "one nation under God."  What should that mean to me?  Why does our money say, "In God we Trust?"  Why does Congress open with a prayer?  Six percent of the US population admit to being atheists in spite of the social pressure against doing so.  Another 13% say they have no religious preference.  We do not worship commercialism any more than self-professed Christians. Â
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Our most "Christian" political party appears to be the Republicans. Â They worship the rich, begrudge helping the poor, and hate environmental protection. Â But, by God, they want a nativity scene and the Ten Commandments in the court house, and their prayers. Â I can see why they insist on having "In God we Trust" on the money.
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Merry Christmas.
 @blottoÂ
"Under God" was not part of the original pledge.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance
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Interestingly the original pledge, the one WITHOUT "under God" was created by a Baptist minister and both its original creators were Socialists.
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So when you say the Pledge, you are reciting words created by socialists first, Christians second, nationalists third.
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@blotto And why should we change things just to suit you??? If you're offended by all of this "mythology"....then we have the right to be offended by your want to NOT have it. We have our rights also. I'm Catholic...grew up with nativities and I also collect them to display at Christmas. However...I insist on having a Christmas tree (pagan)...I have a beautiful Menorah, enjoy seeing the kids play with a Dreidel, and love smelling incense at benediction during Midnight Mass. I love it all. Please don't think I'm being pushy or angry...writing online can often make that seem so. I'm just saying that everyone has rights to their beliefs (or lack of). We just need to learn to accept it all and enjoy the diversity.
 @fracas  @blotto Why should you change things to choose me?  Where is your starting point?  1950?  Our Constitution strives to separate religion from government, but this separation is under assault.  As a Catholic, you can review your own history to see how this society discriminated against Catholics.  Some States devised loyalty oaths to exclude Catholics from public office.  Do you think we should go back to that?  But instead of honoring the progress you have made, you sound ready to line up with the jihadists.  Go ahead, but don't be shocked when they turn on you. I run into lots of Protestants who have major issues with the Catholic Church. Â
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The most recent issue is their outrage with all the child abuse scandals. Â We have seen similar issues in the Boy Scouts, public schools, and protestant groups, but the outrage is focused on Catholics. Â Don't delude yourself into thinking anti Catholicism isn't feeding this outrage. Â The holy warriors of the Christian faith don't strike me as being a lot different than their Muslim counterparts. Â If we want an inclusive society that respects everyone, we have to work at it. Â If the government (including city government) chooses to elevate one religion, it disrespects all other viewpoints. Â
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We aren't talking about your faith our your collection of nativities. Â I have no issues with your faith and I'm not offended. Â But, you insist on your right to be offended by my beliefs. Go back and read my earlier post. Â Why does it offend you? Â I can only think it is because you want to mix your religion with my government.Â
 @fracas  @blotto What did I misunderstand?  I wasn't "making it a Catholic thing."  I was responding to your remark, "why should we change things just to suit you???"  My point was that changing things is what brought Catholics into the mainstream.  You will also note that I said I am not offended by nativity scenes.  As to my history, you can show me where I am wrong by citing what you see as an error.  Just saying reread your history is pretty meaningless.  We are probably all in for bumpy rides.  That's life.
@blotto You have so construed and misunderstood what my post was...well, I'm not surprised at how this world is turning. I could have just as easily said I'm Jewish, methodist or whatever...I happen to be Catholic. I'm saying that just because atheists want rights...those of us with religions have rights to show the symbols we have. But you've insisted on turning this into a Catholic thing. Godspeed friend...you're in for a real bumpy ride :( Oh...and reread your history books...your information isn't quite ride.
âIt would be nice if everybody could have something there,â she said. âAnd everybody could have the different symbols of Christmas without everybody getting offended.â
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...indeed it would, Breyanna. Indeed it would.Â
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Kinda the 2012 version of the infamous 'yes, Virgina' letter of the 1890's.
 @MarkKpic I agree. I don't mind nativity scenes if other religions can put up scenes that reflect their religious faith. On the other hand if you exclude one, you need to exclude all;-)
I wonder why atheists and the rabid PC'ers are so frightened by a nativity scene. A nativity on public property is no more threatening to those whose religion is self-love and commercialism than a snowman or Christmas bell or menorrah is to Christians. If you don't believe, don't look. Christmas means "Christ's mass" and like it or not, the entire reason for the holiday is to celebrate and venerate Christ's birth. There is no other reason for it. Just because non-Christians have tacked on Kwanza, solstice, etc., and other celebrations and it happens to coincide with the ancient Jewish Festival of Light, and other long-standing non Christian celebrations and holidays, does not change the fact that it's CHRISTmas!
@Patriot1946 "Just because non-Christians have tacked on... solstice" Which came first the solstice or the Christmas... oh that's right the solstice did.
@Patriot1946 Except the "non-Christian" holidays have been around as long as, if not longer than, "Christmas". The Christians stole the timing for their holiday, not the other way around. I don't think people are frightened by a nativity scene; it's more than welcome on private property. Atheists have just as much right to NOT have religious symbols on public property as the Christians & other religions think they do to have them there.
@Patriot1946 Uhmmm...you pretty much said what I've always believed :) One error though LOL menorah's are a Jewish symbol of Hanukkah...and Jews aren't Christian :)
Separation of Church and State means to me that no one religion has the right to rule over all the rest. With this in mind, perhaps parks & city halls should let all displays be welcome regardless of philosophy/faith on any/all occasions as long as people are willing to "rent" the space and it is understood no discrimination/hate in the "message/display" will be tolerated.
Oh and there is a reason why our for fathers left England, it was to be rid of Oppression, why would you want to re-start all that crap with being Politically correct? Have you forgotten history? have you forgotten the "Boston Tea Party"?  Have you forgotten whey our ancestors moved various countries ? I say Unto you that There is no room fro being politically correct here in the US. Being Politically correct does not mix well with the Constitution Either.
It is nice to see the Nativity Scene back. It has been an icon for over 40 years if not longer. I do not believe in being politically correct.It is censorship under a fancey way of doing things and it is wrong..
I don't think we should have any religious items on any public properties.. When I was young we used to have a prayer every day in school, there were 2 jewish kids who would excuse themselves and return when it was over.. Every day these 2 kids were called names on the play ground.. We have religious freedom here, but we don't have one religion in this country.. When we put religious items on public property it's like saying the government is on the side of that religion, when in fact they should not be on the side of any religion .. So, sorry to say but don't shove Christianity down my throat ....
I am a Catholic and it irritates me that we have to be so politically correct to not offend sensitive people. I will tell you "Merry Christmas" because that's what I believe and if you say "Happy Hanukkah" to me I will say "Thank you! You also!" Celebrate what you want, or don't. I don't really care if you believe or not but we have gotten so scared to offend the pansies out there who can't accept that all sorts of people have different beliefs that we're left with 'happy holidays' and 'holiday decorations'. Even Obama mentioned 'holiday trees' to try pleasing everyone. Tip toe-ing around this crap is what offends me.Â
 @finlyn Amen!!
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The Declaration of Independence mentions life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It says absolutely nothing about a right to not be offended in life. I've never had anyone say "Happy Hannukah" to me, but if someone did, I'd acknowledge it in a similar manner.
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Life is too short to go around being offended at everything people do.
 @nonpartisan  @finlyn I agree with the sentiment of your post, the only addenum I would offer is also found in the US Constitution.
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'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.'
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...or prohibiting the free exersize thereof.
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Seems to me there's some wisdom there that our resident anti-anything even remotely religeous crowds have overlooked.Â
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Irrelevent if you look at it from a freedom of expression standpoint, or a prohibiting the free exersize thereof point of view, there are those in society who DO celebrate 'Christmas'. Prohibiting a nativity in a public display, to me, is as much a trespass against the intent of the Constitution as prohibiting a Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or winter solstice display.Â
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nonpartisan,
"Happy Hannukah"!
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 @Just Lookin And a Happy Hannukah to you and yours too!
So many seem to have a little too much hate in their system for some reason.
This young girl had a very good point, and got it across. If some feel her idea was dumb, then I really do feel sorry for them.
They should come up with a better idea. It is not physically hurting anyone either.
How would she feel if I suggested that we have a witches' sabbat on the public dime? Yeah, that's what I thought. Public property is for ALL of us, not just for Christians.
 @Mike Grigsby You thought what? She didn't actually answer you. Until you hear from her, and until you petition to have a witches' sabbat placed in a public square then you have no argument. Get back to us when either of them say no.
If this young woman wants a nativity scene, she can work on constructing it on her own property - not governmental property.
 @deathmetalcat What is your problem? I have to look at the picture of Obama hanging on the wall every time I go into Social Security.
My faith in humanity is restored because of this young lady!
Exactly!!
A child so to speak has spoken, and woke up a lot of adults.
I'm not religious but I still enjoy everything about Christmas! Even the nativity scenes and songs! If someones nose is out of joint over it, they need to get the heck over themselves as the world doesn't revolve around them! Walk on and ignore what they don't like!
 @Khre'Riov Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu I am like you...and can even say that I am an atheist. I dont see the displaying of various religious things in the public eye as being offensive. The church is the one paying for it. She is even suggesting it is ok to show other religious displays.
 @Dirtman  @Khre'Riov Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu Not everyone is as docile as you, and not everyone has the same experiences in life. A brief history of world history offers many examples of non-Christians being persecuted by Christians. If someone has suffered at the hands of Christians, or is related to someone who has, they are going to be offended at some display which portrays Christianity in a positive light. And I'm not going to tell them that they have no right to their feelings. Neither am I going to tell them to respond by erecting some display of their own; why should they have to??? If everyone simply abides by the separation of church/state principle, no one will be offended. If you wish to erect a nativity scene, do it on your own property.
 @Khre'Riov Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu  @Dirtman It is precisely BECAUSE government property is public property, that it needs to be used fairly. And fairly means according to a separation of church and state. The only way to satisfy everyone's rights, is to preserve the religious NEUTRALITY of such property.
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I don't believe that there is any "anti religion thing". Everywhere I go, I hear Christmas music; I see Christmas promoted by retailers. I see churches advertising for midnight Christmas services. I see Christmas trees in every mall and retail store. So there either is no "anti religion thing", or it is failing miserably.
 @felines99  @Dirtman Keep in mind one thing Felines.. Government property is public property (we the people) and those who do religion have rights the same as everyone else and are equal to, not beneath anyone else! Its in the constitution and is illegal to persecute them for their belief..  same thing goes in the opposite direction, religion should not persecute those who choose not to. It takes two to make a fight and its well bitten off by those who choose freely to pick it. This PC crap is going to far and is in and of itself offensive! This anti religion thing has become the Salem Witch hunts (or what ever prosecution era you can name here), all over again only it isn't *the* church conducting it..
 @Dirtman Exactly! :) I'm agnostic personally! If I don't like something, I stay away or don't listen to it. To each his or her own I say! :)Â
I agree with this young lady! Â And me not a religious person.