Group Wants NJ Town To Remove ‘Keep Christ In Christmas’ Banner

December 14, 2011 8:25 AM

‘Keep Christ in Christmas’ Banner (credit: CBS Philly)

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PITMAN, N.J. (AP) — A national group is asking officials in the southern New Jersey town of Pitman to take down a banner that says “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation says the banner violates the Constitution because it was put up by members of the local fire department and hangs from two town-owned light posts over a county-owned road.

The banner was paid for by a Knights of Columbus group. Officials say a similar banner has hung over the town about a dozen miles south of Philadelphia for the past 50 years.

Freedom From Religion says the banner should be moved to private property.

The mayor says he’s asked a town lawyer to look into the situation.

Do you agree with the foundation? Sound off in our comments section below…

John

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!! KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS!
joe C

Ignorance is Bliss! If you dont believe then dont believe. The red white and blue was founded on christian values and beliefs. If you get offended by a simple phrase like Merry Christmas or keep Christ in Christmas then you need therapy..
You can sit in front of your tv and fill your eyes with garbage, but thats o.k.
Nobodys shoving anything down anyones throat… it’s an offering.. you dont have to accept it. Not sure why anyone wouldn’t want the peace of God in their lives. I guess to each is own. The very freedom that we have to argue this topic is wonderful, some countries would have you killed for making such comments. We live in the greatest country in the world and our freedom comes at a cost.. The only other person aside from the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is the American Soldier.. You want to make a difference in this country.. SERVE IT! Merry Christmas to all..

JOE

Thank you Merry Christmas.
Jeff

The U.S was not founded on Christian values or beliefs. In fact, the only place in the constitution religion is mentioned is in an exclusionary manner. The 1796 Treaty with Tripoli specifically states that the United States was not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. Most of the founding fathers were Deists, they believed in a creator but thought he did not concern himself with the daily affairs of men.

The founding fathers were in fact students of the European Enlightenment, they believed in freethought as a basis of guidance, which is probably why for the first 50 years of its existence not a single U.S. President had been a Christian.

I believe this country should go back to that initial beginning of free thinking and tolerance, then there wouldn’t be a need for a peace from something that may or may not exist elewhere.

p8nt

With all of these things going on, who needs terrorists, Iran, and North Korea, when you have people that’s demolishing America from the inside.
Meagan Vazquetelles

This is an example of how disrespectful, low-minded, selfish, and meanful people can be especially when it comes to Christianity and celebrating the important birth of Jesus Christ.
I know some people don’t celebrate Christmas for some reasons while others do, but MY GOD!!! Yeasterday I saw “NCIS: LA” when at the end of their episode a character named Hetty said,”God bless us everyone”. What’s their problem and when is it going to take for them to get in their selfish, stupid, pig-headed minds that this country founded by our forefathers whose morals and upbringings were god-centered.
HOW DARE THEY AND MAY THEIR ATTITUDE BECOME THEIR SPIRITUAL CHOKEHOLDS FOR THE REST OF THEIR NATURAL LIVES!!!!!

Robby T

You know there is a problem in this country when NCIS: LA is not constantly preaching scripture!! That’s why I watch the show! NCIS should stand for Naturally Christ Is Super.

Robby T

Always remember, Keep Han in Hannukah.

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvussb98id1qfvsfto1_500.jpg

Flynn

That’s not a moon…it’s a Matzo Ball!

Awesome pic, Robby T!
Donald McKenna

Oy Vey Iz Mir, I LOL’ed…

DanTe

if it offends some people then they have to take it down.
Ron V

What is Christmas about? I hope it is about Christ! Member of the K of C
Flynn

Merry Christmas. Your comment’s been reported for your racist remarks.

You go to church on Sundays with that mouth there, Joey?

Mr Turkey

Another one that can’t handle the truth and shows it by responding with just name-calling.

Flynn

Frankly, I have no problem with Christians wanting to keep Christ in Christmas. It’s when they try to shove him into everything else in my life that I start getting angry.

The real issue here is that both sides — the Religious and the Atheists — don’t have the good sense to stop shoving their ideals in one another’s faces. The banners and billboards of “Keep Christ in Christmas” or “This Season, use Reason” get bigger each year, just so they can outdo other.

How about everyone minds their own business, celebrate or don’t celebrate, but keep beliefs between you and your own?

Meagan Vazquetelles

What do you mean when “they” try to “shove” Him into everything else into your life?

Flynn

Let’s see…

We have women being told that they have no control over her body. We have doctors being shot and killed because they want to help these women.

We have people being told they can’t be free to marry the person they love, regardless of sexual orientation.

We have countries at the brink of war, ready to destroy one another over meager parcels of land.

And we have a religion that after (admittedly) being persecuted for their beliefs when it was first created turned right around and did the same thing — forcing conversions under torture and threat. And while people aren’t slapped on a rack these days and told to profess their love for Jesus, we have plenty of zealots who go around saying “its us versus them” or “There’s a new Holy War brewing,” inciting hate and animosity as much as the Atheists manage to drum up with their silly signs.

So again, I say — if everyone chose to believe or not, but basically left everyone to their own private lives, we’d be a much happier planet.

But of course that’s never going to happen.

AngryJerseyChristian

Flynn,
I love your last 2 sentences. Before that however, I have a problem. if a woman has control over her own body, she doesn’t get an unwanted pregnancy.
Next, same sexes can marry whenever they want, just not in Cristian churches.
Covering the next few paragraphs, crazy people kill randomly, not God fearing people. As far as the Atheists go, there is no need to tell them to go to hell, they’re already on the right path.

Sgeo

When it comes to gay marriage, gays are not trying to force gay marriages into Christian churches. They are trying to get the government to provide them with the benefits, at the state and federal level, that straight marriages get.

If no Christian churches will support gay marriages, but gay marriage is recognized by the government, that’s fine. If all Christian churches supported gay marriage, but gay marriage is still not recognized by the government, then gay rights has completely failed the gay marriage goal.

Jeff

I totally agree with you Flynn, but unfortunately its not all atheists pushing their agenda just like it is not all Christians pushing theirs. The majority in both groups would rather be left alone to do as they wished. Its the fringe groups and as you say, zealots, that believe they are right and everyone else is wrong that cause the issues.

But most of those fringe groups are ignorant of anything that might be truth, so they continue and always will. Best we can do is point out the flaws in their beliefs and laugh it off. Intelligence and open minded freethinking will always prevail over close-minded ignorance.

John

Excuse me sir, years ago this was not a problem. Alll of a sudden these fringe groups that are coming out of the woodworks, they are the ones who are trying to impose the atheistic beliefs on a God-fearing nation that was founded on Christian principles. Years ago, nobody had a problem saying “Merry Christmas.” Now it is almost a sin to say it. For all you people who believe in politically correctness, that’s your choice. I will continue to say Merry Christmas because I am a Christian. There have been worse signs posted in public. People need to get a grip!

Flynn

And do you tell your Jewish friends to have a Merry Christmas too?

And you’re right, years ago these things were not issues. Back then we had issues like selfish women wanting the right to vote or selfish black people wanting to the right to use the same bathroom or school as the white people.

It’s called Progress John. It’s been happening since the dawn of time — and people have been punished for desiring it since then too.

And whether or not the founding fathers were Christian, they founded this country on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM! And they founded it on the belief that no single religion should hold domain over another.

But of course that’s a convenient fact easily forgotten.

Angelica

It’s kind of funny how in 885AD the Pope decided to hold the birth of JC in December…the time of the Saturnalia, or, as we know it, the winter solstice.
This was done to appease the Pagans who they wanted to convert to Christianity…yet we still believe this is the birth date of Jesus.

Read your bibles, especially Luke…Jesus was conceived during Chanukah, his birth 9 months later actually falls in September.

Everyone has to realize, the Bible is a book written at a time when the majority of the poor did not have an education and no written ability to speak of. Their tales were word of mouth.

During History, things change, for better or worse.
John

You are a jerk Flynn! Progress does not mean demeaning any religion! I respect every other religion, and I am not saying that any religion should be dominant over another. As for my Jewish friends, I certainly believe that they are our older brothers and sisters in the faith. Everyone has a right to display their religious beliefs in the way that they want to. By the way iare you related to Hitler you jerk

Flynn

I want to respond to your comment John, but I’m laughing so hard as how ridiculous you sound, I can’t

Happy Holidays pal

Maddie

Is CHRIST such an offensive threat? What is happening to this once great country. People are “offended” at the slightest mention of God in any way shape or form.

Menorahs are displayed- a religious symbol. No problem.

Nativitys cannot be displayed. Apparently a threat & problem.

LEAVE THE CRIST IN CHRISTMAS BANNER JUST WHERE IT IS!

And thank you to the Pitman Fire Dept. for still believing.
Brian Collins

IF diversity is the goal then how come those that are so anti-religion are so intolerant of others? There is enough room for everyone to express their own views. It is not like anyone said you had to agree. I still do not understand the premise of why these people get so upset and emotional when they see Christmas being associated with the Christian beliefs. It’s a sign for crying out loud .

KEN FEDDER

i think if someone is offended by,this they shoud go back from wherever they came MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE THANK YOU KEN

joe

At this Rate we will soon lose the CHRISTMAS TREE what the ???? is going on in this great country of ours. They don’t want GOD on the money, they want to outlaw the the pledge of allegiance. It must stop now.
Grand Knight 3533

I am glad that this banner is flying freely in town! God Bless Council 6247 and the town of Pitman! And yes, have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Vivat Jesus!

JOE

GO GET THEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JOE.C
John

I totally agree! Merry Christmas! Vivat Jesus!!

Angelica

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Winter Solstice to all!

We are all the same….Human Beings!

Ira Steinman

We are all NOT the same. Only Jews are called the people of G-d. And for very good reason. There is only one Holy Day that counts this time of year and that is CHANUKAH. Therefore that banner needs to be removed IMMEDIATELY.

phil

Way to go council 6247, you need help you let us know.

Chancellor Vineland council 2531

friend

At first I was a Christian, then I ignored Christianity and started living for myself. Eventually I turned back to Christianity and never looked back. It won’t hurt to try Christianity, it’s like tasting a new kind of wine…but better.
John Nelson

It is your right to Deny God and it is my right to Celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t ask you to shut up about your views and since this is a free country please don’t ask me to Deny my Savior. Just because you read a sign about my love for my God doesn’t mean you have to follow my beliefs. You want to close your eyes to whats happening in this world then go right ahead. You can hop up and down on one foot from now until the 2nd coming of CHRIST and scream about your rights to Deny God but you cannot make me turn a blind eye to my Lord ! God Bless you and Merry Christmas !

John

Amen!!!

discouragedinnj

Oh please, move on. Tolerance does not mean people cannot display their beliefs, it means if you don’t share the same belief, you need to look beyond it. This shouldn’t bother anyone and if it does, I would spend my time trying to figure out what about it is so upsetting. There’s lots of things I don’t believe in, so you know what…….I don’t do them. There’s pleanty of room for everyone and we all need to accept that there’s not one right way to view things.
Sgeo

Can atheists have a “There is no God” banner put up on public property by paying for it, similarly to the Knights of Columbus?

If not, then this is government endorsement of religion, and the banner should go.

Richard

Bingo.

Donald McKenna

Screw ‘em… They want it down, let ‘em try and take it down themselves. Although it’s my opinion that those same firefighters would be happy to let loose on the No Religion folk with a pumper, a 5 inch hose and several hundred gallons of water per minute while attempting to do so…

Jeremy

Hey Don- quite witty. Bet you go to church and repent for your sins, while you secretly diddle kids and beat your wife. You are a fool.

Phil

Wow that will get your point accross you nut job

Very conservative

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

Doug

And religous people are idiots.

Winston Smith

That may or not be so – but what about guys who strut around showing off their drawers or butt crack? Do we not ignore/tolerate them to maintain a civil society?

Pi$$ed Off Long Islander

Easterbunny, I would be careful about haten on Jews like the rest of the world. This has nothing to do with being a Jew. I can go ahead and call you a Christian a$$hole, but I won’t because that has nothing to do with anything. These people just need to get a life or they should kill themselves.
Pi$$ed Off Long Islander

Easterbunny, I would be careful about haten on Jews like the rest of the world. This has nothing to do with being a Jew. I can go ahead and call you a Christian a$$hole, but I won’t because that has nothing to do with anything. These people just need to get a life or they should kill themselves.
Esmerelda

If they dont like religion, ok for them, but leave the rest of us alone.
Why do they think they have more rights to insist the removal than the
people who dont want it removed ?
This is outright discrimination.
They must have been sent by Satan.

right on

I agree wholeheartedly. Amen

RingA DingDing

Total Bull! Leave it up there!!! Pretty soon they will be taking the X out of XMAS. It’s called freedom of speech, baby, and if you don’t like it, get the hell out of our country.

Deck the Halls

whooohooo! it’s CHRISTMAS NOT Xmas.

Think of peace

no probably more of an atheist. This is why the world is becoming the way it is, remove God and what do you have. I often wonder why people don’t fight to remove all the evil intended billboards and advertisements on the subway platforms. If people would stop fighting on the religion issue we would have peace, as God intended for us to have.

Michael H.

People have been fighting BECAUSE of religion for thousands of years. It’s time to do without archaic religions.

Peace be with you

Religion is based on scripture. it’s time do have some peace in the world. Christ is Christmas, Merry Christmas to ALL and enjoy the season may it bring peace, health and jobs for everyone.

man from old school

Freedom From Religion f-u

ProudAtheist

No, f-u, you brainwashed sheep.

Religion is just like fairy tales… except you don’t live your life guided by fairy tales

A sheep

One day you’re going to praying to God he brings everyone to him he wants to have with him. You watch and see. One day YOU will be ‘a brainwashed sheep’ so just shut up and start praying he doesn’t give you a trail too heavy. HA
John

MERRY CHRISTMAS PROUDATHEIST!!!!!!!

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