Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Video: Santa Monica's Ban on Nativity Scenes Becomes Animated Battle of Atheists and Faithful

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Making headlines this week is the story of Santa Monica's ban on nativity scenes in their oceanfront park, a decision upheld Monday by a judge that keeps the public space free of either religious or atheist displays in the holiday season. That news has made it across the ocean, where it has become a very animated (and dirty) battle of the faithful versus the faithfully not religious.

If you source your news from Taiwanese animation videos produced by NMA, you would learn that atheists take the form of floating bug-like militant viruses the Flying Spaghetti Monster* not even the baby Jesus can flatten with his cross (or alternatively, atheists are Santa Claus, the devil, a gun-toting man in a vest, or Triton...of the sea). The news that the judge has upheld the ban somehow delights a dancing jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce (because of the Spaghetti Monster, of course), and Palisades Park is now on Santa Monica Boulevard (not Ocean Avenue). Additionally, you'll learn that Taiwanese ladies in negligees are brought to tears over the loss of Christmas at the hands of a Grinch-y former political leader, and that lazy atheists are hypocrites who take December 25 off to sleep. There. Don't you feel more informed? Enjoy!

*We heard from a couple of readers who pointed out the creature fighting Joseph, Mary, Jesus and pals is the symbol of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and we've updated our post accordingly. And we learned something new!

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right