apparently “peace on earth” is right out

Holiday! Celebrate!, Oddly Enough, Religion, You have got to be kidding

I’m trying really hard, but I don’t have a response to this:

A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.

There’s more info (but no more clarity) at the Yahoo News article. I see that it’s all about the HOA exercising their power, but WTF?

UPDATE, via Wil Wheaton dot Net: It looks like HOA board has apologized and “called the incident a misunderstanding.”  Uh-huh.  I hope the misunderstander gets punished appropriately.

4 thoughts on “apparently “peace on earth” is right out”

  2. I saw this earlier today and engaged in rants to both my mom and Glen. I’m indignant, but also fascinated. There are people who think the peace symbol is satanic? That in itself is intriguing. There’s also something very 1984 about this. Peace is satanic, war is godly. I’m trying to imagine a world view where anytime you see the peace sign it indicates that the person displaying it is a satanist. Wow.

    On a less analytical level, it strikes me as hilarious that people think there’s no existing relationship between the Christmas holiday and the concept of peace.

    From “Do You Hear What I Hear”:
    Said the king to the people everywhere,
    listen to what I say
    Pray for peace, people everywhere!
    listen to what I say
    The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
    He will bring us goodness and light
    He will bring us goodness and light

    From “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”:
    Good Christian men, rejoice
    With heart and soul and voice;
    Now ye need not fear the grave;
    Peace! Peace!
    Jesus Christ was born to save!

    From “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”:
    Hark! the herald angels sing
    “Glory to the newborn King
    Peace on earth and mercy mild,
    God and sinners reconciled!”
    ALSO:
    Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

    From “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”:
    I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
    Their old familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet the words repeat
    Of peace on earth, good will to men.

    From “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”:
    It came upon the midnight clear,
    That glorious song of old,
    From angels bending near the earth
    With news of joy foretold,
    “Peace on the earth, good will to men
    From heaven’s all gracious King.”
    The world in solemn stillness lay,
    To hear the angels sing.

    From “O Holy Night”:
    Truly He taught us
    to love one another;
    His law is love and
    His gospel is peace.

    From “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”:
    For Christ is born of Mary,
    And, gathered all above
    While mortals sleep, the angels keep
    Their watch of wondering love.
    O morning stars, together
    Proclaim the holy birth.
    And praises sing to God the King.
    And peace to men on earth.

    From “Silent Night”:
    Silent night, holy night!
    All is calm, All is bright
    Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
    Holy Infant so Tender and mild,
    Sleep in heavenly peace,
    Sleep in heavenly peace.

    So, I mean, it’s clear that having a peace symbol in a Christmas wreath is some kind of subversive idea. I’m wondering what the dominant Christian community makes of this. I bet they’re as surprised as we are. And I bet after this publicity the lady gets to keep her wreath…!

  3. It’s not even the HOA itself, but the president–he fired the five architectural control committee members when they wouldn’t agree to order the wreath taken down. WTF indeed. Maybe they don’t like that she’s showing her preference for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. OMG NAZI BABYKILLER!!!11

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