These three wise men can be found huddling outside the door to the House Chamber, bringing the number of wise men in the State House to . . . three. Ha ha. Yes, I’m still an ardent supporter of the First Amendment, but these guys are just so adorable. And, like John Waters, I’m an atheist who loves Christmas.
It was a Rhode Island case on this issue that made it all the way to the Supreme Court, when the RI ACLU sued Pawtucket Mayor Lynch contending that the inclusion of a nativity scene in the city’s display violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (Lynch v. Donnelly, 1984). In what appeared at first to be a victory for the Christians, the 5-4 majority* held that “Notwithstanding the religious significance of the creche, Pawtucket has not violated the Establishment Clause.” This was translated by newsreaders everywhere as Jesus is just like Frosty the Snowman, exactly what Roger Williams was hoping to avoid. Not surprisingly, Pagans and Wiccans soon devised displays of their own; the reaction to those was utterly predictable.
Happily, the other side of the issue is also on display in the State House, same floor (see below). Thank you Humanists of Rhode Island, Secular Coalition for Rhode Island, and RI Skeptics (no site found), because this allows me to be comfortable with this inconsistent position on the separation of church and state.
One additional point about the magi: They are only mentioned in one of the canonical gospels, the Book of Matthew, where they are not called kings, and their number is not specified. The number three comes from the number of gifts mentioned, but there could have been extra magi claiming to have chipped in on the three gifts (of which see: George Costanza). They were likely astrologers from Persia — Jesus was born under Capricorn the Goat [insert Brady joke here].
And finally, big thanks to the Puerto Rican Institute for the Arts and Advocacy for creating these charming figures. Their website seems to emphasize cultural heritage, and I’m going to take them at their word, because I do not want to cause trouble for these wonderful sculptures. And I’m pretty sure John Waters will back me up on this.
*O’Connor, J. concurring. RIP Sandra.
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Rogermas!
Glad tidings for all the science teachers!
Thank you PRIAA!