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Does Matthew 6 prohibit public displays - such as the nativity?

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Hi and welcome to the site. I'm afraid you'll have to be a little more specific here. Which verses are you thinking of? It also seems like you might be asking less of a Biblical Hermeneutics question and more of a Christianity question. We try to steer away from questions that are motivated by doctrine. – Jon Ericson♦ Dec 17 '12 at 21:09
Yes, please tell us specifically which verses you are referring to... – Jack Douglas♦ Dec 18 '12 at 14:02
It is quite obvious she/he/they meant the whole chapter. – Blessed Geek Dec 19 '12 at 7:28
Can you expand the question to discuss why you think it might or what the issues in the text are? – Monica Cellio Dec 19 '12 at 16:05
Well, this has 3 close votes and it seems the OP has not come back, so I'm going to cast the final VtoC. If anyone would like to revive this question, feel free to edit it. – Jon Ericson♦ Dec 23 '12 at 0:31

closed as not a real question by Soldarnal, Monica Cellio, Kazark, Jon Ericson♦ Dec 23 '12 at 0:31

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

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Mathew six prohibits public displays of righteousness for the praises of those watching. Of course even when ones motives are right, righteousness can't always be hidden and the righteousness of a good attitude towards God and men is not to be hidden at all.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

In the case of a display of the nativity or other public expressions of faith it would be hard to argue opposition from the scriptures as most people are not impressed by them as though they were acts of righteousness. However if a person had such a low view of righteousness that they actually thought such a display was worth receiving honour, similiar to giving to the poor, and did it for that human respect and attention, then even in this strange example, yes it would be prohibited by Mathew 6.

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