It's just an ornament, not Jesus himself

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/roeper/681235,CST-NWS-roep05.article

<snip>Every year around this time, we start hearing the stories about Grinchian thieves and vandals who steal and/or destroy Nativity scenes.

Just a few headlines from recent years:

Vandals show no heart, ruin Nativity -- Bridgeport (Conn.) Post

Gang steals Baby Jesus figurines -- New York Daily News

Savior not returned -- San Jose Mercury News

Baby Jesus stolen from church -- Kennebec (Maine) Journal

Theft puts a damper on holiday spirits; thief steals Baby Jesus and lamb figurine from front yard -- Contra Costa Times

Newscasters put on the somber face when doing the story: "Some unsettling news tonight about the theft of Baby Jesus from a display in front of a church, if you can believe it. Our Tawny Chang-Gomez-O'Leary has the details. Tawny?"

Last year "Good Morning America" did a story titled, "Who Stole Baby Jesus? A Disturbing Christmas Story."

From the transcript:

Ron Claiborne: "We turn now to a rather disturbing Christmas story. One family, an American family, praying for the return of one of their most cherished possessions. The Malone family from the Boston area has proudly displayed their homemade nativity during the holidays for nearly 40 years.

"They recently discovered, though, that the Baby Jesus figurine had been stolen. This morning they're asking the thief or prankster or the villain of this story to feel the true meaning of Christmas and do the right thing. Joining us now live . . . is . . . "

"How are you all holding up?"

Good Lord. How are you all holding up???

Obviously it's a bad thing -- stealing somebody's treasured Baby Jesus. And I feel bad for any victims of such a crime. But you know, it's not really Jesus, or even a kitten. It's a lawn decoration.

[mmonk]

1. They view it as desecration

rather than the theft of a decoration.

[knitter4democracy]

2. It's an icon, not part of the decor.

It depends on the church, but some believe it to be an icon while others don't quite go that far as to think they're holy.

Those things are expensive, too. $400 and up.

[liberal N proud]

3. All made in China

Religious Icons coveted by the right wing fundamentalist Christians made in China.

Regardless of the outrage over the symbols, these are personal property stolen from citizens and the perpetrators should be treated as common criminals/vandals.

[knitter4democracy]

6. The ones in our town were carved in Germany.

They were stolen a few years back and a few were recovered, but the rest had to be replaced. They were a nice set from Germany.

[kestrel91316]

4. I'm wondering what part of THIS they don't get:

".......You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is IN HEAVEN ABOVE, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them........"

Isn't Jesus currently in heaven? Why would this not apply?

[knitter4democracy]

7. Now, there's a bunch of theology behind that.

There's a graven image that people worship, and then there's an icon they use to help themselves pray. Very different.

Also, if Jesus was fully man, just as He was fully God, then he can be depicted in art, just like other men. God cannot, except in symbols, but God as Jesus can be.

[countryjake]

5. I like the ones with plugs, that light up, the best

heh heh