Kidnappers demand $800 for return of Baby Jesus

Ananova ^ | December 15, 2002 | Ananova

[MadIvan]

Thieves have stolen a baby Jesus from a display in New Jersey and are demanding $800 in ransom.

The model statue was taken from outside the home of Tom and Candy Konczos in Trenton, New Jersey.

Police say the kidnappers left a computer-generated type-written ransom note demanding $800 in "small" bills in exchange returning the plastic figurine.

The note was signed by "Me, him and the other kid who was really scared and didn't want to take your baby Jesus and the whole time all he did was say stuff like you're going to hell."

Local police said they think kids playing a prank are behind the kidnapping.

But the ransom note is "kind of unsettling" a spokesman told The Trentonian.

[Kenny Bunk]

He'll Protect me Like No Other,
Lest it be His Blessed Mother,
Ridin' up there on the dashboard of my car.

[strela]

And when you've had enough to drink, you can play football with the empty!

Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal-posts of life
End over end, neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal-posts of life

Make me, oh make me, Lord, more than I am
Make me a piece in your master game plan
Free from the earthly tem-pestions below
I've got the will Lord, if you got the toe ...

[Hank Kerchief]

I thought the article said, "ransom note demanding $800 in 'small' bills in exchange returning the plastic figurine." Is God a "plastic figurine?"

The "Thou shalt not steal" commandment is still in force the last time I checked.

So is, "Thou shalt make no graven images," which last time I checked did not exclude plastic ones. I guess you just choose and pick the ones you like, heh?

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

(If you gonna get grief, isn't it better not to get it from someone who's PC?)

Hank

[MadIvan]

So is, "Thou shalt make no graven images," which last time I checked did not exclude plastic ones. I guess you just choose and pick the ones you like, heh?

The battle between the iconclasts and iconodules goes all the way back to Byzantium and the argument continues to this day. However, no one was kneeling at the display, nor praying to it.

If you think that the representation of Christ in this fashion excuses stealing...well let's just say then we come from very different faiths.

Regards, Ivan

[strela]

So is, "Thou shalt make no graven images," which last time I checked did not exclude plastic ones.

Graven images of the Father, not the Son. The tacky Jesus souvenir industry is still quite safe.

(Don't mind me, I'm just feeling argumentative) ;)

[AnAmericanMother]

Exodus 20:4 is pretty comprehensive:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Of course, it goes on to say not to bow down & worship them, and I don't think anybody's doing that at the creche. Probably the only tangible item worthy of actual worship is the Blessed Sacrament. . . . assuming you believe in transubstantiation.

. . . but Exodus 20:4 doesn't consider that contingency. . . . ;-)

[strela]

... assuming you believe in transubstantiation.

Madam, I've never transubstantiated in my life! That sort of thing done in public gets one talked about ;)

[Hank Kerchief]

Don't mind me

I don't mind at all! This is a forum after all. It's where we can express are opinions, and others can tell us how stupid we are for having them.

...and Merry Christmas!

Hank

[AnAmericanMother]

Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal-posts of life

Oh, my gosh, I had forgotten (thankfully!) that one

How about "Fly the Friendly Skies with Jesus"?

[AnAmericanMother]

. . . which brings us to the Vatican Rag

" . . . 2 - 4 - 6 - 8
Time to transubstantiate."

I think Tom Lehrer was more bemused by Vatican II than intending any disrespect (or at least any MORE disrespect than he USUALLY intended.)

[strela]

...and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

Sadly and incredibly, that is the first time this year that I've heard or read anybody offer that particular greeting to me. Around here, its always "Happy Holidays."

And, I'm really looking forward to Christmas morning this year. My 4-year old cousin is getting a treat - both his parents ride Harleys and I found one of those Fisher-Price ride-on battery-powered Harley motorcycles, in the perfect size for him. Amazingly enough, I assembled it last night with almost no trouble (even after a brewski or two to bring me courage), all the parts were there, and the owner's manual was actually legible. Can't wait to see his face when he wakes up to see that thing parked in the living room ;)

Wish the toys were that cool when I was his age.

[cubreporter]

They are pushing the envelope for sure.

[cubreporter]

Because they have no respect for anything beginning with themselves, their families, law, authority and religion.

[Hot Tabasco]

and I don't care if it snows or blows
Jesus has magnetic toes
sittin on the dashboard of my car.....

[billorites]

First you get down on your knees,
Fiddle with your rosaries,
Bow your head with great respect,
And genuflect, genuflect, genuflect!