Christians Are Mad As Hell...

...and they're not gonna take it any more! That's how things are shaping up here locally, right in Bartow, Florida, the seat of Polk County. Which is not to imply that the proper name Bartow can be substituted for any other vernacular words implying "seat." I love Bartow! It's fun to pronounce with a drawl! Applying fresh meaning to the phrase "Onward Christian Soldiers," the good folks of Polk County have decided to Take Back Christmas from the secular heathens. Having drawn the battle lines so succinctly, I can't precisely ascertain where I fall. On the one hand I am a regular churchgoer who considers herself to have both a personal and sacramental relationship with Jesus. On the other hand, I do WAY too much shopping for this holiday, and we have "Scooby Doo" cling-on decorations in our house. Without permission or expressed, written consent, the Polk County Christians (under the cover of darkness) went ahead and BUILT AN ENTIRE MANGER SCENE ON THE COUNTY'S FRONT LAWN. Take that, elected officials! What are you gonna do about it? The reason for this undercover operation is that Polk County does not permit Nativity Scenes on Government Property. You would think they'd reconsider their indifference to God after three major hurricanes passed over the county buttocks, but no, they figure they'll just rely on insurance in case of disaster. So the county's administration has this unwanted display, and as a local reporter put it, we don't know if the Baby Jesus is going to be evicted prior to His birthday or not. And doesn't this conjure up the same sense of hospitality as the Innkeeper who told the Holy Family there was no room at the inn? To add to the sense of inappropriateness permeatiing this whole affair, the county's attorney sent the responsible church group a nasty letter, calling the display both trespassing and an Illegal Erection. Egads! I am thinking now that the first Christmas salvo has been fired, futher hostilities may ensue. Perhaps the Nativity Scene statues will be taken into custody. Maybe the church group will napalm the lawn. Perhaps passersby will sport bumper stickers saying "Honk if you love Jesus." County commissioners may have to fine the perpetrators. (read: Tax Collectors) Supportive citizens may bombard County Hall with religious-themed holiday cards. Will the county take back control of the lawn? Or will they leave it under the influence of the Holy Family and assorted worshippers? Only time will tell, but I can't help but admire the Christians for their derring-do. (Figure, most of these folks were grandparents.) And if Polk County happens to merit some extra graces by tolerating this display at Christmas-time, well I'll take that too. So for now, from Polk County, we can officially wish you a Merry Christmas!