Chicago-Area Church Nativity Scene Features Zip-Tied Jesus and ICE Agents

[Michie]

A Chicago suburb church is making a political statement with its nativity scene this year, depicting the infant Christ with zip ties around his wrists and Roman soldiers as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Lake Street Church of Evanston, Illinois, is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) denomination and practices “a progressive Christian theology that embraces people from all different religious denominations and religious traditions.”

The church is actively involved in advocacy work for immigrants and racial justice. On Nov. 14, Rev. Michael Woolf, the church’s pastor, was one of 21 individuals detained during a protest at an ICE facility in Broadview, another Chicago suburb.

Continued below.

Chicago-Area Church Nativity Scene Features Zip-Tied Jesus and ICE Agents

Lake Street Church is making a political statement with its nativity scene this year, depicting the infant Christ with zip ties around his wrists and Roman soldiers as ICE agents.

churchleaders.com

 

[RileyG]

Interesting. Not sure how I feel about this.

 

[Michie]

Interesting. Not sure how I feel about this.

I know how to feel about it. Stop politicizing our Savior. Ri-freakin-ridiculous.

 

[RileyG]

I know how to feel about it. Stop politicizing our Savior. Ri-freakin-ridiculous.

In that case, I 100% agree.

 

[Michie]

In that case, I 100% agree.

I’m going to tell it like it is. It’s just manipulation. Politics has become an idol. Inserting the faith into it is more than disingenuous.

 

[Lily76_]

Jesus was a refugee (he escaped Herod from Bethlehem to Egypt)

 

[Michie]

Jesus was a refugee (he escaped Herod from Bethlehem to Egypt)

It does not make sense to take a modern definition, apply it to the of the Holy Family 2000 years ago and using a modern view concerning geographical borders, and then try to apply it to make a political point. No, He was not a refugee. The Bible is full of people crossing borders which is not the same as it is today. Even ICE is not going to zip-tie an infant. It’s bad theater.

 

[Lily76_]

But he was feeing and in danger like most refugees as there are ones coming from Arab counties from Christian persecutions or other sort. No, the zip tip thing is bad taste, yes, but it shows the point they're trying to make. .

 

[Michie]

But he was feeing and in danger like most refugees as there are ones coming from Arab counties from Christian persecutions or other sort. No, the zip tip thing is bad taste, yes, but it shows the point they're trying to make. .

It’s okay to politicalize Jesus to make a point politically? The truth is He came into the world to save us all. The whole thing was in bad taste. Every few years there is something that is done when they try to squeeze Jesus into whatever ideology is at the time. It really does not work that way. Jesus was about His Father’s business. These kind of stunts are out of context of why He came and is nothing more than cheap manipulation.

 

[Yarddog]

I know how to feel about it. Stop politicizing our Savior. Ri-freakin-ridiculous.

Did you say the same when Trump politicized Christianity when said that candidate Aftyn Behn hated Christians? Or when he looked to the sky and said, "I am the chosen one".

 

[Michie]

Did you say the same when Trump politicized Christianity when said that candidate Aftyn Behn hated Christians? Or when he looked to the sky and said, "I am the chosen one".

You’ve just proved my point. I didn’t say a word and moved forward. It’s all temporary. It’s a bit different when people politicize God Himself and completely ignore the message of the Nativity. I mean…

 

[Yarddog]

You’ve just proved my point. I didn’t say a word and moved forward. It’s all temporary. It’s a bit different when people politicize God Himself and completely ignore the message of the Nativity. I mean…

I think that it is a powerful statement by this Church. Joseph and Mary fled Israeli with the baby Jesus. They were immigrants in a foreign land. ICE is arresting legals and illegals.

Should we act as Jesus or reject what he taught. Their statement says ICE would have arrested the holy family and imprisoned them and then deported them. I don't believe Jesus would agree with this administration.

 

[RileyG]

Did you say the same when Trump politicized Christianity when said that candidate Aftyn Behn hated Christians? Or when he looked to the sky and said, "I am the chosen one".

That’s still wrong putting all political differences aside! As the old saying goes, two wrongs don’t make a right!

My opinion only!

 

[RileyG]

I think that it is a powerful statement by this Church. Joseph and Mary fled Israeli with the baby Jesus. They were immigrants in a foreign land. ICE is arresting legals and illegals.

Should we act as Jesus or reject what he taught. Their statement says ICE would have arrested the holy family and imprisoned them and then deported them. I don't believe Jesus would agree with this administration.

For the record, I am pro-immigration and pro-refugee. We MUST love the less fortunate.

With that said,

I think using Jesus and the holy family to make a political statement is in bad taste.

I don’t care if it’s right, left, conservative, or liberal.

It just puts a bad taste in my mouth.

My opinion only.

 

[Yarddog]

That’s still wrong putting all political differences aside! As the old saying goes, two wrongs don’t make a right!

My opinion only!

What did this Church think when they created this display? That is what makes this right or wrong.

 

[RileyG]

What did this Church think when they created this display? That is what makes this right or wrong.

I don’t know.

 

[Yarddog]

I don’t know.

Why not? Don't you think that is important before judging?

 

[RileyG]

Why not? Don't you think that is important before judging?

Maybe they had good intentions and I don’t think they were being malicious.

At the same time, our country does have laws regarding immigration that must be respected.

I’m NOT saying all ICE officers are moral because there is a bad bunch in every group.

I do respect the immigrant and refugee and support them.

I have nothing further to add.

 

[RileyG]

Why not? Don't you think that is important before judging?

I have mixed, complicated feelings. It’s not so black and white. ??? If that makes any sense.

 

[RileyG]

For those who aren’t aware: The American Baptist Church is a mainline Protestant denomination. Part of the 7 sisters Churches of mainline Protestantism.

(The seven sister Churches include The Lutheran Church-ELCA, The Episcopal Church, The United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ, The United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church-USA)

They are known to be progressive and focus on social justice.

Kamala Harris is a member of the American Baptist Church.

The American Baptist Church used to be known as the Northern Baptist Church and split from the Southern Baptist Church (evangelical) over a century ago.