Photo via assistnews.net

American Christians protest Christmas secularization

Members of a church in Kansas City, Kansas, are protesting the secularization of Christmas in a unique way -- they are dressing like Jesus at their jobs, malls and restaurants, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

According to a FOX News report, Pastor Kelly Lohrke advised parishioners of the Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship to wear at minimum a crown of thorns and a sash or robe during the week leading up to Christmas.

"A lot of businesses and people are saying that they have to say, 'Happy Holidays' and 'Season’s Greetings,'" church receptionist Chelsea Johnston told FOXNews.com.

"They’re not allowed to say 'Merry Christmas.' It makes us upset because that is the holiday and it goes against our freedom of speech," she said.

The 600-member church has posted videos on YouTube of congregants wearing Christ-like garb in public -- which they say has led other churches across the country to consider similar demonstrations.

Johnston said some members have gotten more elaborate with their costumes, growing beards and wearing their hair long.

Reactions have been mostly positive she said, but the protesters have gotten their share of stares from passersby.

"We have had some really strange looks -- people who are like, Why are you guys doing that?" she said, adding: "I haven’t heard any reports of people being offended...We've gotten pretty good responses."

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TAGS: USA Christmas secularization Jesus demonstrations freedom of speech

[12/26/2008]

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