Amid threats, zombie Nativity scene lives to see another day

Well bravo to this fellow.

A bit of background. It seems that this guy opted to celebrate Christmas by putting up a unique nativity scene. That scene incorporated zombies into the Christmas birth myth.

And why not? It is his property, and he is free to decorate it as he sees fit, right?

But alas, no. Along came the city that claimed his structure violated building codes. Sure it did, nudge, nudge, wink, wink. So like any smart Zombie nativity scene creator (as if there is another kind), he simply took the top off exposing the facsimile of bay Jesus to the elements and putting up a backdrop, thwarting the oppressive and Grinch-esque powers of the local government!

To you good sir, I say bravo.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/08/living/zombie-nativity-scene-feat/

Relax, everyone: Zombie baby Jesus will stay in the manger.

News that a Nativity scene featuring zombies was in jeopardy of being shut down by officials in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, set the Internet on fire this weekend.

News outlets far and wide wrote about John "Jasen" Dixon's creepy creche, featuring undead versions of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and the zoning ordinance threatening its existence.

Dixon said he first planted the scene on his front lawn last year with leftover props from 13 Rooms of Doom, a Halloween attraction he runs in nearby Rising Sun, Indiana. In a statement on Facebook, he says that the manger is "a wonderful piece of artwork" and that he and his family are "not atheists."

But apparently not everyone was amused.

Someone left a pamphlet at the manger declaring "GOD FROWNS UPON THIS MANGER SCENE," according to a photo Dixon posted on Facebook.

Dixon also received a letter on December 2 (that he also posted on Facebook) from Sycamore Township Zoning Administrator Harry Holbert that said the accessory structure on the front lawn needed to be removed immediately because it violated the county's zoning code.

Dixon, who did not respond to CNN's request for comment, suggested to local TV reporters that other motives were in play.

This was the second year in a row the township told him to remove the scene or face fines, he said. Last year, he had to take the manger down because he had failed to apply for a permit, Dixon told CNN affiliate WKRC. This year, he applied for a permit, with the same result.

"I think it's the theme. It just rubs people the wrong way, and it puts the spotlight on me. That's why they're coming down so hard on me," Dixon told WKRC.

Administrator Greg Bickford insists that the issue has nothing to do with portraying the birth of Jesus as a gathering of the undead. Specifically, at 15 feet high, the barn housing the holy family exceeds the designated height limit of 5 feet, he told CNN.

Like many neighborhood spats, it's all about appearances. The community long ago set parameters and codified them to keep sheds or barns from popping up on front yards. Had Dixon built a smaller shed for baby zombie Jesus or put the manger in his backyard, this would not be an issue, Bickford said.

"We couldn't care less about the zombies. What we care about is the zoning code," he said.

Dixon said the town threatened him with a $500 fine if he didn't remove or modify the structure by December 4. He set up a online fundraiser to cover legal fees, and told WKRC that he received at least one $500 fine.

But the zoning laws no longer appear to be an issue. Dixon has removed the manger's roof and put up a backdrop in its place, Bickford said.

"He just took the roof off the structure, and now he's compliant," said Bickford, who added that the fines have stopped. "It's a non-story

 

I think its pretty sweet how democrats are so offended by a temporary ban on immigration from the middle east, while at the same time, attack Christians here in America.

Its like they hate Americans, or something.

 

Big government run amuck, government sucks, but then again so does zombie Jesus's so I am really perplexed at finding a good guy in the is scenario to cheer for. Dumb and dumber is the theme in this country these days.

 

Only the most thin-skinned Christian could consider this an "attack." The people who want to silence this guy's free speech (on his own property, no less) are the ones hating on American values. Once upon a time conservatives prided themselves in standing for property rights.

 

Well, considering the 'resurrection' aspect of the Christian faith I'd suggest that the Living Dead are a most apt analogy!

 

But, of course, free speech and the right to your own property are not just for "good guys." He could hang up a Nazi flag for all I care, and he'd still have more of a right to his own ideas and property than anyone should have to silence it.

 

nope, every sane American knows its a straight up attack on the Christian religion. Even the op knows its an attack on the Christian religion, which is mostly likely the reason he posted it in first place.

Since, Im a Christian, I forgive the OP, and the jerk who put up that hate display.

If he set up a zombie Muhammad display, hed be slaughtered......

have a nice day

 

Anyone who takes their religion so seriously that they feel threatened by a non-believer making light of it within the confines of his own property has some severe insecurity issues.

 

I tend to agree. Christ has long been referred to as the mythical Jewish zombie.

 

I said nothing about being against the fool who wants to make a mockery of Christianity in his own yard for the sole purpose of agitating his neighbors. I simply said he isn't worth cheering for. Does he have a right to be an idiot? Of course he does, especially when he keeps it on his own property and isn't violating the rights of others in the process. All rights have limitations, and exceptions. Time for people on both sides of the extreme political spectrum to realize this, and understand it.

 

which Christian was attacked here?

 

Anyone worshipping something which clearly is a figment of their imagination has a right to be an idiot as well. Personally I think it's hilarious.

 

You shouldnt talk about muslims like that. Its not very nice.


Charlie Hebdo Attack: The Prophet Muhammad Cartoons That May Have Caused Paris Magazine Massacre

 

how?

.....

 

The entire religion is attacked here.

 

how?

..... It's a Christmas decoration, on private property, that has no effect on anyone.

 

Oh good grief. If you weren't a woman I'd suggest growing a pair and thickening your skin.

 

Zombies have no free will,or leadership qualities of any kind. Sounds like another misnomer.

 

I am going to display a zombie Mohammed in my front lawn.

I will be expecting support from you as well as the left decrying threats in my direction.

 

Yeah, zombies are not real.

 

I just don't understand why people are upset. I'm not going to call someone an idiot for poking fun at my religion. Mockery shouldn't be seen as a legitimate threat. I wouldn't be cheering for this guy if he just put up the display and things were left at that, but now that he's having to fight against bigger (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)s, hell yeah I'll cheer for him, just like I'll cheer for people that participate in Draw Muhammad Day.

For the record, I'm not going to call anyone here an (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*) or an idiot for mocking my religious beliefs. You have to respect my right to have my beliefs, but it is ludicrous to believe that you actually owe my beliefs themselves any sort of respect.

 

Hilarious and idiotic are not incompatible. Some will find it funny while others will just shake their head, while still others will lose their minds.

 

You forgot the bombing in Denmark I believe when Muslims were mad because of a picture of Mohammed.

 

Cool. Send pictures. Burn a Quran too if you want, so long as it is your property. Put a zombie Buddha up there too, if you'd like to include my religion.