Would you attempt to destroy a holiday display on public property if you disagreed with it?

Question

Not particularly far from me, a particularly tacky manger scene was posted on public property....to which most of the public rolled their eyes.

A Wiccan local to the area was one of many people who complained about the thing (You have to understand, this street, it's like decked out in lights and stuff, and this manger scene looks like crap, it's all unfinished wood and plexiglass...) and the mayor invited her to put up a pentacle...which she did.

Now, the pentacle is easily as tacky as the manger scene, and the people of Olean were basically going about their business. Some people were so offended that they placed smaller mangers underneath the pentacle (which is also tacky.)

But, last night, some idiot in a pick-up truck backed over the pentacle.

I'm just trying to understand how anyone would willfully destroy property. What point does it prove? That people who like mangers are bullies?

This "Christian" display doesn't even have the weight of tradition behind it....it's a new display.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=53528

For anyone who cares.

If it was done in the name of taste, the plexiglass shrine to the plastic Jesus would've been target #1. LOL.

For those interested, the group that put up the nativity scene has since decided to move it from public property and onto a church lawn.

It's still ugly, but at least it's now appropriate.

Answer 1

No. I wouldn't destroy property just because I don't agree with the religion the symbols represent.

The only thing I see it proves is that people are really childish and can not handle that people are different with different beliefs. If they can't handle it, then they shouldn't be allowed to display their own religious symbols. Keep it in their own yards and we'll do the same. If they want to act childish, then they should be treated like children. They're not allowed to play in public anymore. =)

Answer 2

NEVER! My faith prevents me from disrespecting a place of worship. I don't necessarily think that the nativity needs to be on the courthouse lawn, but I recognize it as holy. Yes, it is just a tacky light up manger scene, but to someone else, that is the story of the birth of their God as flesh. What kind of dismal @$$wipe would I be if I took that from someone in an act of vandalism? It would be wrong on so many levels. That is city property. I can ask them to move it. I cannot go above the the law and remove it myself. That would be selfish and rude. Also, how can you not be moved by other people being moved? We need a little love for our brothers and sisters.

EDIT: I just read the entire question. I'm sorry that the pent was destroyed. I'm sorrier still that both displays were ugly. This is so stupid and derisive. These are expressions of people's faiths. you do not have to like it or approve of it, but don't be a jerk and destroy it. To me, the pent does have as much a place as the nativity scene. But I feel both could have been done more tastefully and off of city property. The Wiccan could have used any other symbol and met with less resistance, a candle, holly and ivy, a mother and infant, a flower with five petals, or any star.

Answer 3

No, just no! If I had issue with it, I would have done exactly what the Wiccan did here, complain to the mayor. It's only fair that they don't support one faith over another. This was in front of city hall!! What does that manager say to everyone that's not Christian. I would find it offensive and want all religious displays down. Santa and Frosty, cool. Baby Jesus, menorahs, pentacles, statues of Kali, whatever, just have no place there. Separation of church and state!
However, since this mayor decided all religions could put things up, bad decision on his part, I would put a bigger, fully lighted pentacle up. Also, maybe some more of our symbols that are misunderstood by Christians, like the Horned God, for example. if they put a big statue of him decked out in a Santa outfit, I could almost guarantee there would be none of this stuff up next Christmas.

Answer 4

No, don't bother the manger scene, it'll bring you down to the idiot in the pickup's level. I'd get angry too, but I believe that I'd go back to the mayor and see if I couldn't put up another pent. Then I'd make the biggest, prettiest pent I could, so big that it would overpower the manger scene! Or I'd stick it right in front of it.

That was a mean thing to do to your pent, especially after you left their tacky manger scene alone. It seems like their only point is, "I'm a stupid, intolerant, hateful fundie redneck who loves vandalizing other peoples' holiday decorations."

Blessed Yule.

Answer 5

If I were her, I would have included an explanation of the pentacle, to spread some education on the symbol. That wouldn't have deterred the idiots, though. I can see how some people would take it as a shot against their faith, not understanding the symbolism, though.

Not everyone on the planet is all that intelligent, I'm afraid. We just have to do what we can to educate people and hope for the best. It is interesting to think of what the reaction would have been if the manger scene had been run over.

Answer 6

No, I would not destroy someone else's property if it sent a message with which I disagreed. I see stuff all the time that I don't like, but this is America and we are free to say and do stupid things as long as they don't infringe on someone else'e right to say and do stupid things.

Anyway, what good does it do to destroy a religious display? it does nothing to change the HEART which is where all actions and words come from anyway.

Answer 7

I'm glad they're investigating it as a hate crime. They should. That's appalling. I mean, it's an ugly Pentacle, but for people to pretend that we don't have a holiday this month (and that Christmas wasn't stuck in the end of December BECAUSE or our holiday) is even uglier.

I hope they catch the person and throw the book at them.

Blessed Yule.
)O(

Answer 8

It's vandelism to destroy ANYthing of anyone elses. There would no difference if a non-believer went around chopping the crosses off of churches. Vandelism is against the law, no matter what is being destroyed.

Answer 9

No I wouldn't but then again...I wouldn't put up a nativity scene either...since Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus...maybe if I could get a huge neon Walmart sale sign I would put that up...

Answer 10

There is no gratification in that.
They will only put it back up.
It isn't worth getting caught and going to jail over. Not to mention how embarrassing it would be if you got caught and named the Christmas Grinch that stole Christmas.
That would be too funny.

Besides,
You'd be doing the devil's work.