A Pyramid for Christmas

The Racine Post is reporting that atheists have placed a pyramid near a Nativity Scene to protest the promotion of religion in a public place. The pyramid contains several quotes that oppose or criticize religion. The following is an excerpt of the news release that appeared in The Racine Post:

There are, as any cursory drive around town will prove, scores of beautiful churches in Racine. The phone book lists more than 150.

The seasonal symbol of their belief sitting in Monument Square for a week now -- the Nativity scene recalling the birth of Christ more than 2,000 years ago -- has been joined by an 8-ft. tall, white-painted plywood pyramid, the work of fewer than a dozen Racine atheists.

"This country was founded on the principle of separation of church and state," said Al Sorenson, 70, who built the pyramid. "The Nativity Scene is a violation that doesn't belong on public property; it's an ancient superstition, based on a myth."

The pyramid's four sides each have a quote opposing the practice of religion. One side says, "There was a time when religion ruled the world. It is known as the dark ages."

Another side says: "The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." That quote, from Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli, 1796, which was signed by President John Adams and ratified unanimously by the U.S. Senate, has been a point of contention regarding the proper interpretation of the doctrine of separation of church and state.

The protest reflects the desire of atheists to remove religion from the public arena. The effort to use the words “Xmas” and “Xians” instead of Christmas and Christians is an evidence that a small minority of Americans is trying to eliminate mentioning of the name of Christ in public and impose their views on the majority of people who are religious and believe in God.

It is at this time that we should remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Merry Christmas

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Atheism, Christmas, Nativity Scene, Pyramid

Merry Christmas

It is Christmas time again. Christ's birth in Bethlehem brought a glow of warmth and love into our world, changing the lives of people everywhere. Jesus came bringing life and hope to the lives of millions. Under the spell of His love, lives hardened by hopelessness, cruelty, and oppression, grew soft and renewed by divine love.

When Jesus was born, that Holy Child was the brightness of the Father's glory, born, not only to manifest the Father's love for us, but also to identify Himself with us in our suffering. Christmas reveals the full extent of God's love for us. God was touched by our needs; He could not see us suffering alone so, He came to give us help, comfort, and peace.

As you celebrate Christmas, think again about what Christ's coming has done to our world: wherever He went, hard hearts softened and sinful lives were changed. Pray that Christ might be enthroned in so many faithful hearts that Christmas of 2006 might become the beginning of a new awareness that Jesus Christ is the only hope for a lost world.

During this Christmas season, I thank you for the opportunity of ministering to you through my blog. My life is richer because many of you have touched my life so many different ways.

I will be taking a break during the Christmas holidays. I will be back again in January 2007 with a renewed commitment to spread the good news everywhere. There is so much to learn from the Old Testament and together, I hope that we will dig a little deeper and discover the many riches of God’s Word.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the Lord of Christmas bring joy, love, and happiness to you and your loved ones.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tag: Christmas