A United Methodist Church in California has come under fire this week for its Nativity. The Claremont United Methodist Church’s Nativity Scene shows the infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph separated in cages.
Church Uses Nativity Scene To Protest Trump
The Blaze reported that the church has shamelessly politicized their Nativity Scene, using it to protest the U.S. southern border separation policies of President Donald Trump’s administration. The display shows each member of the holy family in a cage, with Jesus wrapped in a silver mylar blanket. Mary and Joseph can be seen extending their arms toward Jesus, who is in the middle of them.
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The practice of separating families at the border began under Barack Obama. Of course, liberals conveniently ignore that.
“We thought about the most famous refugee family in the world, the family of Jesus,” said the church’s senior minister Rev. Karen Clark Ristine. She added that a second Nativity Scene inside the Church shows the family being reunited.
“Shortly after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary were forced to flee with their young son from Nazareth to Egypt to escape King Herod, a tyrant,” Ristine added in a Facebook post. “They feared persecution and death. What if this family sought refuge in our country today? Imagine Joseph and Mary separated at the border and Jesus no older than two taken from his mother and placed behind the fences of a Border Patrol detention center as more than 5,500 children have been the past three years. Jesus grew up to teach us kindness and mercy and a radical welcome of all people.”
Social Media Users Slam Church
Social media users have fired back by slamming the display, calling it a complete disgrace.
“What an abomination of Jesus birth. You should be ashamed to display such a desecration of our lord Jesus Christ,” one user commented, with another adding, “They were traveling to register to pay taxes. NOT refugees. Typical California Leftist BS.”
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“Jesus, Mary, & Joseph weren’t refugees, they were not smuggling drugs, they were not sex trafficking children, they were not raping women on their journey, they were not living off American taxpayers & draining our system dry! NO COMPARISON,” a third user wrote.
Church Has No Regrets
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Despite the backlash she has received, Ristine has no regrets about publicizing her Nativity Scene.
“It was nice for me to see that people wanted to talk with one another, even though they disagreed,” Ristine said. “So if this sparks conversation that would be one good goal.”
Ironically, liberals never seemed to care about families being separated at the border when Obama was the one doing it. The left’s hypocrisy and ignorance never ceases to amaze!
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JUST LIKE AN ARTEEST TO GET THE FACTS WRONG BEFORE DELUDING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS INTO BELIEVING THEY ARE SAINTS…. THIS IS BOGUS ART!
They were NOT illegal aliens! The law at the time was you had to go to the city of your lineage to register there for the census. Joseph was of the lineage of David so he and his family had to go there!
This is a disgrace, and an absolute lie depicting them as immigrants. Mary and Joseph were citizens of Nazareth, Joseph was required to go to Bethlehem to pay his taxes as required by the Roman government. This current tale being bandied about, that they were immigrants, is just the illegal immigration proponents and the progressive left trying to insert their rhetoric into the nativity story. This current sham shows just how out of touch many churches have become trying to incorporate current political hot button issues into their doctrinal policies.
It’s obvious they worship Satan at that church.
If the Methodists are now espousing that it is their religious duty to disobey and break USA Immigration laws, as a means of pretesting against President Trump, then I think that this Methodist Church needs to loose their tax-free status, because they are no longer a religious organization they are a political organization.
Yes, he, he, he, It would appear as such. lol
Same place Al Sharpton got his!
Reverend Karen, to quote you: “”Jesus grew up to teach us kindness and mercy and a radical welcome of all people.” That being the case, WHY do you NOT learn or practice that teaching of Jesus instead of creating division in America. Where did you get your reverends license, at Satan, Inc.????
Parents that cross over our border are criminals and can be held for trial in a manner preventing their escape. The children of criminals are not themselves criminals unless they are beyond the age of consent. If they are, they are adult criminals and can be held liable for crimes committed. Children under 18 or 21 depending on the age of consent held by the state where illegal entry was gained, are not considered criminals when they are forced to perform criminal acts in the company of their parents.
Incarcerating adult criminals for suspected crimes against the United States is expected. When this occurs and children are involved the law does not allow children to be cast into the streets to fend for themselves. When there are no adult family members available to care for the children the government does the best it can to care for them and their needs.
Most surely you cannot expect criminals to be allowed to remain free so they can care for their children that they willingly exposed to criminal activity resulting in the breaking of U.S. laws. Becoming a criminal is a personal choice when a person decides to break the law. Ignorance is no excuse! Responsible people do research before deciding to take action in some way. Failure of people to use due diligence before committing any act is making a bad decision based on a whim. Thus, in a free society each person has the right to make decisions concerning himself and is free to enjoy the results of his decisions.
Parents that cross over our border are criminals and can be held for trial in a manner preventing their escape. The children of criminals are not themselves criminals unless they are beyond the age of consent. If they are, they are adult criminals and can be held liable for crimes committed. Children under 18 or 21 depending on the age of consent held by the state where illegal entry was gained, are not considered criminals when they are forced to perform criminal acts in the company of their parents.
Incarcerating adult criminals for suspected crimes against the United States is expected. When this occurs and children are involved the law does not allow children to be cast into the streets to fend for themselves. When there are no adult family members available to care for the children the government does the best it can to care for them and their needs.
Most surely you cannot expect criminals to be allowed to remain free so they can care for their children that they willingly exposed to criminal activity resulting in the breaking of U.S. laws. Becoming a criminal is a personal choice when a person decides to break the law. Ignorance is no excuse! Responsible people do research before deciding to take action in some way. Failure of people to use due diligence before committing any act is making a bad decision based on a whim. Thus, in a free society each person has the right to make decisions concerning himself and is free to enjoy the results of his decisions.
Uh…not ALL Churches, Honey. The Lutherans don;’t!
You mean Churches in Southern California, don;t you?
The main line churches and the main stream media both have this in common, they have lost site of the truth in the pursuit of another agenda. They have embraced the philosophical tenants of secular humanism that allows one to say or do anything as long as it furthers their agenda. (no moral absolutes)
If it makes you think of the word “blasphemy” . . .
I’m surprised there are Churches LEFT in Southern California. Betcha Christmas is the only time it;s filled!
But to do THIS…it;s disgusting, and these so-called Pastors obviously never really read the Christmas Story! Joseph and Mary HAD to go to Bethehem, it was the law at the time. Part of an international census, and everyone had to go to the town of their leneage. Joseph had to go to Bethelem cause he was a descendent of David!
Oh I swear Sodom and Gomorrah is going to come again, and when it does I hope THIS place is among the first it strikes down!
Your joking right? To tax the churches would only involve the federal government in the church more than they already are. Any time you involve the IRS in something it gets regulated by the government.
One of the backbone founding elements of this country is the first amendment to our constitution. It prevents the government from creating laws which regulate an establishment of religion, prohibit the free exercise of religion. That would all go away if you taxed the church. The federal government through the IRS would regulate, establish and prohibit the free exercise of religion. Anyone who came into power would determine what could be exercised.
England is a prime example. You had the church that was endorsed by the government. All others being declared heresy. I visited England a few years ago. I was shocked at the lack of those that believed and trusted in God much less Jesus. It was, for the most part, a religiously dark country. Oh you had the sham as you sometimes do here but very little heart. That really surprised me. I’ve always thought of it as having a church on every corner. But a great deal of their churches have been turned into night clubs. Really kind of sad. We are headed there if the government ever gets hold of the church.
Well said I think if the church is going to display their politics it’s about time they pay taxes!
They went to Egypt LEGALLY!!! They did not criminally invade
Your going to have to back up your claims. They seem to be the same old Liberal talking points.
I remember information which I have read that debunk all you have said. But I’m not going to waste time looking them up unless you wish to do the same.
Everywhere I look Trump has added to the speed in which illegal aleins have be put through the court process. And at every turn the Dim. House has fought him by reducing the flow of finances he can use to do so.
The problems on our southern border are problem the Dims. created and are trying to sustain.
Yes, and the question “how many of the applicants for assylum are true refugees?” is supposed to be handled by our courts.
Trump has cut back on the courts and reduced their ability to do their job.
By the way, illegal crossing of the border is a Misdemeanor punishable by $50-250 and, if prosecuted as a criminal offense, up to 6 months in jail.
For contrast Failure to Register as a Foreign Agent is a felony which carries a penalties up to $5,000 and 6 months in jail.
Many of Trump’s advisors have failed to register as foreign agents.
Actually I do remember that right after the wise men left an angel came and warned them to flee to Egypt. They had been in Bethlehem, Judea for about one to three years when the wise men showed up. And the angel came on the night before Herod had all the children killed. Herod didn’t know they had fled or where Jesus was.
You are right in that they were refugees from Herod’s desire to kill Jesus. And had to go outside his influence. But almost all of the people coming across our southern border do not meet the laws definition of refugee in that time or now. “The Definition of a “Refugee” Under U.S. law, a “refugee” is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her home country because of a “well-founded fear of persecution” due to race, membership in a particular social group, political opinion, religion, or national origin.” Therefore they are illegal aliens not refugees.
Joseph took his family to Egypt to escape Herod. They went to EGYPT as refugees and they were allowed to enter. They stayed in Egypt until Herod was dead, then they returned to Nazareth. Pity you don’t know your Bible.
An obviously corrupted church scripturaly speaking . Not understanding that if Herod had found Jesus he would have killed him. Not place him in detention to send him back to his country because he had clearly broken Jewish law. Jesus never violated the Jewish law. He just fulfilled it. The illegal alien is just what they are described as, illegal by our law. And because of that can be detained until deported.
Would also remind everyone that it was under Obama’s administration that the policy of separating illegal familys from their children was instituted. So obviously a politically corrupted church. Political correctness is what the people who later murdered Jesus practiced. And He corrected them for it. Which was the reason they crucified Him.
A church of satan where only demmies attend
Haha. THIS upsets “christians,” but actually putting children to die in cages is just fine. God is watching hypocrites, god. is. watching.
Only the rich. You have to be rich to convert to Scientology
Say, I believe you!
My prediction. In 10-15 years there will be no churches in California used for religion. They will all be used as homeless shelters and sanctuary safe zones.
I’m surprised there ARE still Christians in Southern California. Thought all of them converted to Scientology!
That’s a different denomination of Christians.
The cages started with Obama guess the church leaders were busy molesting little boys to notice
How anti-Christ he is
What a shame. This pastor and church show how liberal they are. Sad.
It;’s LIBERALS dummy!!
“The practice of separating families at the border began under Barack Obama. Of course, liberals conveniently ignore that.” Funny, Trump’s name isn’t on this. So is it liberals, or the writer who is blaming Trump?
Go figure it would be Kalifornica – disgraceful and an abomination – Well they will definitely be answering to a higher power – and the crazy left I’m wondering why they aren’t screaming about a church having a “nativity” scene isn’t that an abomination to them
You ask what if they sought refuge in our country. If they got within the US border Baby Jesus would be a citizen and an anchor baby thanks to the 14th amendment. Which if the republicans have control of the house and senate next term needs to be repealed to be retroactive.
Joseph was a skilled tradesman, not a criminal
Read the Bible. Read about Joseph taking his family to Egypt to avoid death at the hand of Herod. Jesus was the baby of a refugee family.
Egypt didn’t put him into a jail, and they didn’t separate Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
If you are a Christian, thank Egypt for helping to save his life as a baby.
And as you make plans for dealing with the refugees at our borders remember what Jesus said,
“As you do it to the least of these, you do it to me.”
He;s gonna go straight to HELL for that abomination, and so will the “Pastor” of this Church!!
Your last statement sounds a lot like an attack on Christians and Christmas.
Based upon your last statement, your first posting should have been “when the Christians try to say something about Christmas it starts with a lie”.
read it once
rather silly collection of plagiarized absurdities
the details are about as important as keeping track of the various schools of phrenology or astrology
Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem to be registered on the tax rolls. Herod sent his soldiers to kill all male babies. An angel warned Joseph, and he took his family to Egypt until Herod was dead.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus were undocumented refugees in Egypt.
You may want to read the Bible.
as expected, when the leftists try to say something it starts with a lie
Mary and Joseph were in Jerusalem to be listed [documented?] on the tax rolls
and at the time, any criminal, not just invaders, were likely to be either put to death or enslaved
They were just trying to protect the Son of God from the psycho that wanted to kill him!
AND it wasn’t when Jesus was an infant in a manger in Bethlehem (where they simply went for Joseph to be counted in the tax census) that they were “running”. He was a bit older when they went to Egypt to escape Herod. And they weren’t looking for special treatment nor were they trying to change the sociopolitical structure of Egypt!
Obama, not Trump, put the cages at the border. If you plan to humiliate your state and yourself with a sacrilegious post then please get your facts straight!!!
American law allows refugees to enter the country to seek asylum. You presume much.
Jesus said, “As you do it to the least of these, you do it to me.”
What are you doing to Jesus?
AND NOWHERE DOES IT SAY THEY WERE ILLEGAL ALIENS BECAUSE THEY WEREN;T!!
YOU DARE TO SAY THIS ABOMINATION IS ALL RIGHT? YOU’RE GONNA BE GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL AND SO WILL THIS WOMAN!
Actually, Reverend Karen is reading the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2 verses 13 to 20. Perhaps you could do the same?
Someone who has no idea what the Bible says nor does she even understand her own babbling.