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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

School Fights Atheist Efforts to Cut Nativity Scene from Christmas Concert

DUNLAP, Ind. – An Indiana school district is resisting calls from atheist groups to cut a Nativity scene from its Christmas Spectacular celebration, prompting a federal lawsuit.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Concord Community Schools in U.S. District Court on behalf of a student in the music program and his father, though neither are named in the litigation, The Elkhart Truth reports.

The lawsuit centers on the last 15 minutes of district’s annual Christmas Spectacular, which involves a Nativity scene with figures like Mary, Joseph and the three wise men acting out a reading from the Bible.

“The Nativity scene and the story of the birth of Jesus are, of course, well-recognized symbols of the Christian faith,” according to the lawsuit. “Their presence at the Christmas Spectacular is coercive, represents an endorsement of religion by the high school and the school corporation, has no secular purpose and has the principle purpose and effect of advancing religion.”

The lawsuit asks the court to force Concord schools to cut out the nativity scene for the 2015 celebration and all future productions, as well as legal fees, damages and “other proper relief,” according to the Truth.

The FFRF sent Concord Community Schools superintendent John Trout a letter in August with a threat of litigation if the Nativity scene wasn’t eliminated.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

"..as well as legal fees, damages and “other proper relief..”

Professional bullies. The FFRF has four full-time attorneys. I guess somebody has to pay them.

And I guess they know how to choose the most vulnerable victims -- a school system isn't going to have the money to defend themselves, so they will just roll over.

Anonymous said...

There is a place for all you atheists and aclu members it is called HELL and the devil is waiting for you. Awww did someone upset you.

Anonymous said...

I really hate to break it to them but Atheists have a religion too. They BELIEVE there is no God. So how can this be freedom FROM religion. You just want to force your religion on the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

Wrong the definition of religion is :The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Anonymous said...

Don't give in to them put that nativity scene up who are they to call the shots and everybody jump for the, if they don't like it tell them not to look at it they will really see Jesus face to face and not in a manger but King of King and Lord of Lords then they will know