The FFRF, known for protesting any and all religious displays in public places, sent a complaint letter recently to local officials in the 526-person city of Jay, arguing against the life-sized nativity that had been set up on the site every Christmas for nearly 40 years, the group said in a press release.
In a letter sent to the city’s mayor, FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel alleged, "It is unlawful for the town to maintain, erect, or host a holiday display that consists solely of a nativity scene, thus singling out, showing preference for, and endorsing one religion.” He added there are "ample private and church grounds where religious displays may be freely placed.”
In response to the group’s complaints, the city council declared the nativity set surplus property and sold it to the Santa Rosa County Ministerial Association, thus removing it from public property.
The FFRF’s co-president, Dan Barker, praised the city council’s decision as “divesting the town of a divisive display.”
But the town has not been deprived of the nativity, reports the American Pastors Network. In fact, after the ministerial association purchased the nativity, they then placed the huge Christian display on private property near one of the busiest parts of the small town.
The APN said the complaint was just the latest in a continued attack on religious freedom by groups like the FFRF.
“The truth remains that public displays of the nativity scene on government property in no way violate the Constitution. FFRF’s attempts to stifle religious liberty, however, do.”
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Not everyone is Christian. Public property isn't the place for religious displays.
ReplyDeleteI'm Muslim and I don't expect the government to display my religious symbols nor do I want to see hexagram stars.
Private property, including privately owned businesses (including places like Wal-Mart) have every right to display things as they wish.
Like the Supreme court said in regards to school children, they do not give up their right to free speech upon entering the doors of the school. Meaning employees have a constitutional right to tell people Merry Christmas as well.
But the government is not to endorse a religion. Whatever values you think this country was founded on is irrelevant. The founders knew from their past what happens when a state endorses a particular faith.
This will never be a United States of Jesus Christ, nor was there ever a time in which it was. If that's the goal it's one that will never be achieved.
Quite honestly, Christ wouldn't have this place as his.
Next we will have Muslim displays for their holidays. What applies to one applies to all.
ReplyDeleteTear down the scum athist billboards.
ReplyDelete10:45 Jesus will ultimately have heaven on earth once he comes again. This country was founded on Christian values. Too bad if you don't like it. You can't rewrite history....or the Trinity.
ReplyDeleteWhat if God looks like your worst enemy? What if God looks like nothing? What if God is simply pure energy for good? What fools we all are for fighting among ourselves as to who's religion is the right religion. God is who you believe is holy and good and decent and honorable and all things sadly missing on this earth. God, by any name is holy and worthy simply because this is the only thing that humans can agree on!! We just cannot agree on what he/she looks like. So pitiful.
ReplyDeleteThe trinity's bunk and the country was founded on Masonic values. Those values by the way are based on fertility gods.
ReplyDeleteMasonry is a sex cult. The apron they wear covers the phallus. The erection and flaccid stature of a penis represents resurrection. Dying and coming back to life.
The Washington Monument is the phallus of Osiris.
Ben Franklin was in the Hellfire Club.
Your Christian fantasy has no basis in reality.
What exactly is a Christian principle?
I'm pretty sure whatever it you'll be detailing was probably practiced before , recorded in history, and easily provable, and I'm sure you'll ignore that evidence and pretend that a good human being didn't exist until Jaysus paraded around Palaestine.
By the way Jaysus said to sell your things and give the proceeds to the poor. How are you on the internet? Ah, I guess you ignored that part like most do. And yet the first to tell us about Christian principles.....
ReplyDeleteThe first Christian principal must be....
Do as I say and not as I do.