The Salty Peanut Gallery

James Taylor “At Christmas”

From the makers of GodHatesFags.com and the music video that swept the nation, “God Hates the World”, comes a brand new music release for Christmas, “Santa Claus Will Take You to Hell” to the tune of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”. That’s right. Those wacky kids at Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas are at it again. Seems they couldn’t resist getting in on the fun over at the state capitol building in Olympia, Washington. They’ve asked permission to post the lyrics to their inspirational new yuletide carol alongside the Nativity, three signs mocking atheism, and the antichristian sign that start it all.

You my recall the national attention over a sign positioned near the Nativity by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc promoting the observance of the winter solstice and condemning organized religion:

“At this season of the winter solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

As you can well imagine, the sign created quite a firestorm. At one point the governor’s office was receiving up to 200 phone calls an hour. The sign has also opened the door for other outrageous requests including displays depicting such things as “The Spaghetti Monster” and the Seinfeld “Festivus” pole. Not to be outdone, the Westboro bunch determined to add their two cents worth. Here’s some of what’s on their display:

“You’d better watch out, get ready to cry, You’d better go hide, I’m telling you why ‘cuz Santa Claus will take you to hell. He is your favorite idol, you worship at his feet, but when you stand before your God He won’t help you take the heat. So get this fact straight: you’re feeling God’s hate, Santa’s to blame for the economy’s fate, Santa Claus will take you to hell.”

Heart warming, isn’t it? And for my money, what better way to express the love of Christ at Christmastime.