It seems that PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has decided to get in on the battle for Christmas. They'll certainly pose as non-religious, concerned only with the welfare of animals, but ultimately, it looks as though they'll fall on the side of the battleline opposite of most Christians.
I got this story from Pushing Back the Frontiers of Ignorance. The details are a little sparse, and I'll update this is if I find out where the story is directly from, but until then, the gist of the story is here.
Update: LINK TO FULL STORY
The Rev. Jason Armstrong was confused by an e-mail this week from PETA, which admonished him for subjecting animals "to cruel treatment and danger," by forcing them into roles in the church's annual manger scene.
"We've never had live animals, so I just figured this was some spam thing," Armstrong said. "It's rough enough on us people standing out there in the cold. So we're definitely not using animals."
Jackie Vergerio, PETA's captive animals in entertainment specialist, said her organization tracks churches nationwide that use real animals in "living nativity scenes." Seems the confusion started with the church's choice of phrase. PETA flagged Free Methodist's display as a "living nativity," and indeed, that's how the church describes it on its Web site....In the letter to Armstrong, Vergerio shared some sad fates of previous nativity animals - like Brighty the donkey, snatched from a nativity scene in Virginia and beaten by three young men. Ernie the camel fled a creche in Maryland but was struck and killed by a car. Two sheep and a donkey had to be euthanized after a dog mauling at a manger scene in Virginia. "Free Methodist's display is peaceful," Armstrong said. "The congregation erects the stable. Members spread straw and don costumes. Some even dress as manger animals."
I should note that it is essential that Christians stay level-headed. Any number of cruel and despicable things could be done to animals in nativity scenes. Those actions should be condemned. However, a list of a few freak cases is not sufficient to try to eliminate all living nativity scenes. Then, of course, there's the irony of it all: that live animals weren't even going to be used. Also, the unprofessional nature of receiving an e-mail rather than a phone call or even a personal visit. Plus, the subtle thing of saying that animals are "forced" into playing roles in nativities. Are they supposed to be asked...or, what exactly?
Why should Christians care about the difference between a regular nativity and a living nativity? Well, mainly, there's the concern of "give'em an inch, and they'll take a mile." Christians have largely ignored that concern for hundreds of years.
Then, there's the fact that Jesus' birth is a very real thing--and Christians should try to reenact it as realistically as possible in order to maximize its evangelistic and faith-strengthening value.
~ Kingdom Advancer
