California Official Orders Removal of Christmas Angel After Complaint

Fox News ^ | Dec 23, 2009 | Joshua Rhett Miller

[SmartInsight]

There's no place for angels atop Christmas trees, according to one California man who successfully lobbied for the removal of religious symbols at county buildings after spotting a yuletide decoration last week.

Stars and other religious emblems were ordered removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings in Sonoma County on Monday following a complaint by Irv Sutley, a disabled 65-year-old Marine veteran who said the symbols were "extremely offensive" and part of the "cult" of Christianity.

Sutley said he filed the complaint with acting County Administrator Chris Thomas on Dec. 18 after noticing an angel atop a six-foot tree in the lobby of the county recorder's office. Sutley, a lifelong atheist and chairman of the county's Peace and Freedom Party, said he visited the office last week for his re-election bid next June.

[CaliforniaCon]

LOL — all I had to do was read he is from “Sonoma” in this story and I knew all I needed to know about this idiot.

[Domangart]

Every time I see things like this I smile. I wonder if they have every been to the city of angels, Saint Joseph or that other near by city Saint Francis?

[jwalsh07]

Religion can not be banned from the public square. See the First Amendment.

[airborne]

Who do I see about having the crescent moon removed from the sky at night?

It is an Islamic religious symbol, and I am offended by it!

[mlizzy]

"Both are offensive, I hate cutsy Angels that look like girls....Angels are mighty warrior creatures not pansy little cherubs."

Don't know if you like this depiction of St. Michael by Crivelli, but it's one of my favorites as he's about to slay one mighty horrible looking devil.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Beautiful, thanks.

[Joan912]

Wow! This guy is great! I wish we all could be like him!

[GlassArson]

Geez. He sounds like a real winner, this one...

Maybe his shoes are too tight or his head isn’t screwed on just right.

[Soothesayer9]

Socialist party? More like the jack-boot wannbe-thugs-someday-under-0bama club.

Someone should slap this guy for his stupidity.

[PJKI]

If I complain there is NO angel on top of the tree, will they put it back on?
If I complain because I find it offensive that Obama ornaments which hang on Christmas trees representing the season of the birth of Christ, are being sold in the stores, will all the stores cease from selling them?

[TaxPayer2000]

If I complain there is NO angel on top of the tree, will they put it back on?

Apparently, they will:

Calif. County Rescinds Ornament Ban After Outcry