Follow up - the City of Santa Monica won, they don't have to pay to guard people's nativity scenes in public parks.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/santa-monica-can-ban-nativity-scenes-judge-rules-video-discussion.html

"Santa Monica's attorney, Barry A. Rosenbaum, said the city is "very pleased" with the ruling. The judge, he said, "understood the government interests and that [groups wanting to put up displays] have a number of alternatives to erect displays." "

The residents should be happy - less money they'll be spending to guard plywood cutouts from vandals or to oversee a lottery to allocate space fairly, only to have people whine that they want more than their fair share. So again, why can't churches use their own property instead of government property to set up a nativity?

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Asked by NotPanicking at 5:58 PM on Nov. 19, 2012 in Religious Debate

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This is what all the bruhaha was about? I can't imagine, with the economy the way it is, people thought this would be a good use of city funds.

Churches are the natural place for....church related things.

Answer by Mrs_Prissy at 6:04 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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That was the city's argument. The churches were mad that they had to share with other people and threw a hissy. The city pointed out we don't have to organize this stupid lottery for display places and have police guard your crap, we do it to be nice, so their city council voted to spend the manpower and money somewhere more useful instead. It was the buttsore churches that dragged this to court.

Comment by NotPanicking (original poster) at 6:22 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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Answer by MamaK88 at 6:34 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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Good. This is the first I've heard about this, but that's ridiculous.

Answer by LovingSAHMommy at 6:37 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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So again, why can't churches use their own property instead of government property to set up a nativity?

What says our religion is true more than your goverment supporting it. Of course some people have a difficult time understanding goverment buildings are not meant for religious displays.... Unless its another religion then they seem to understand.

Answer by skinnyslokita at 6:48 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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Damn good question.

Answer by Izsarejman at 7:36 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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glad that got worked out.
So where else will the nativity scene pop up, aside from churchs' front lawns?

Answer by sahmamax2 at 7:46 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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It is not the point, you could say the same for any other group. They can place their displays on private land. The point is that it must be fair/ equal for every one.

We "rent an area of of one of our parks. We have permanent buldings and other stages. The park/ government does not guard our buildings, property any time of the year and the only time it is closed off is during the actual run of fair. We do have vandals. That is the way it is and we handle it ourselves. But that isno different than is a church group wanted to use it for a BBQ or a display.

Answer by Dardenella at 9:47 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
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But that isno different than is a church group wanted to use it for a BBQ or a display.

And if they want to pay and rent a park, nobody is stopping them. They weren't paying anything before.

Comment by NotPanicking (original poster) at 9:51 PM on Nov. 19, 2012
Credits: 336204 Level 49 Religious Debate Degree
Ya know, stuff like this just irks me! It is silly to me that city guards were needed in the first place! No, it doesn't seem right that one religion should get special treatment over another. Public displays like this should represent the community. So, I agree with the city ruling, sadly. Public property is just that - public property - it should represent the townspeople paying the taxes. It is sad to see a few bring an end to something that most agreed with. This atheist fellow should be ashamed of himself.

Answer by HHx5 at 12:03 PM on Nov. 20, 2012
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