Annie Laurie Gaylor is targeting the Manitowoc County Courthouse to be a Nativity-free zone.
I can't imagine making it my life's work to rid expressions of faith from society.
What a miserable existence!
The Nativity scene has been there since 1946!
For over 60 years it's been displayed without any problem.
During those 60 years, I don't think government officials in Manitowoc have taken steps to establish Catholicism or Christianity as a county-sanctioned religion.
Why have there been NO other complaints about the display?
Probably because the overwhelming majority of people understand that the Nativity scene in no way threatens their freedom.
MANITOWOC -- The Nativity scene displayed outside the Manitowoc County Courthouse violates the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, according to the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the group, sent a letter late Tuesday to County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer and the 25 county board supervisors requesting an immediate response about what will be done to remedy the alleged violation.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that placing a Nativity scene as the sole focus of a display on government property is a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
On Wednesday, Ziegelbauer said the Nativity scene would be taken down, but he didn't say whether that would occur soon in response to the letter or after the holiday season.
County Board Chairman Jim Brey called the accusation ludicrous.
"I don't think most people are offended when they drive by (the courthouse)," Brey said. "(The Nativity scene is) not going anywhere right now, and if (the Freedom From Religion Foundation) wants to challenge it, they are welcome to do that."
I can't imagine making it my life's work to rid expressions of faith from society.
What a miserable existence!
...The Manitowoc County Catholic Women's Club and the Knights of Columbus have erected the scene since 1946, said Jackie DeBaker, vice president of the women's club.
The Nativity scene has been there since 1946!
For over 60 years it's been displayed without any problem.
During those 60 years, I don't think government officials in Manitowoc have taken steps to establish Catholicism or Christianity as a county-sanctioned religion.
...Ziegelbauer said he has received no other complaints about the Nativity scene.
Why have there been NO other complaints about the display?
Probably because the overwhelming majority of people understand that the Nativity scene in no way threatens their freedom.
6 comments:
Or perhaps, given the historical tendency of Christians to persecute non-believers, people haven't spoken up before out of fear of an overwhelming majority that, in following the teachings of a man who urged tolerance and kindness, so often feel justified in attacking and oppressing anyone who is different.
I wonder how you would feel if the Manitowoc County Courthouse used your tax dollars to display a great big flashing Sigil of Baphomet next April in observance of Walpurgisnacht. Clearly such a display would not threaten your freedom or establish a state sponsored religion. Surely, you wouldn't mind such a use of public funds?
Good grief.
NO TAX DOLLARS WERE SPENT ON THE MANITOWOC NATIVITY SCENE.
Moreover, "No county workers assist in constructing the scene, according to Public Works Director Jeff Beyer, who said he has never received any complaints about the display."
You really should read my posts more carefully and check out the links thoroughly before throwing around your knee jerk remarks.
You are absolutely right - I didn't follow the link and read the entire original article. But in the past I have found that you usually include all the important bits in your excerpts. I guess I had gotten a bit lazy in relying on that. I will be more careful in the future.
That said, the fact remains that "the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that placing a Nativity scene as the sole focus of a display on government property is a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution." That is the law, plain and simple, whether we like or agree with it or not.
Don't you suppose that when he took his job, County Board Chairman Jim Brey swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution? It would appear that he is not doing a very good job of living up to that oath.
The article also makes me wonder: Can't the Manitowoc County Catholic Women's Club and the Knights of Columbus find somewhere to display their nativity scene that isn't government property? Isn't there a church, or business or private citizen with a yard that would have the Jingle Bells to display the nativity as a symbol of their own personal religious belief?
But my favorite part of all of this has got to be the fact that the sign on the nativity says, "Happy Holidays." That is just too funny! I mean, seriously, if someone is going to go to the trouble of setting up a recreation of the birth of Christ, the least they could do is wish us all a "Merry Christmas."
Maybe they didn't want to offend anyone?
The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution.
Can you think of examples in U.S. history when the Court didn't do a very good job of interpreting and handed down some bad decisions?
I really think you need to get a grip.
Since you're a Christian, maybe you should spend some time preparing to celebrate Christ's birth instead of arguing in favor of intolerance.
Intolerance? Any person in this country is free to celebrate their religious views however they please. If Jackie DeBaker wants to set up a nativity scene, God Bless her! But why does she need to put it in front of a Government building? That building is meant to be accessible to all citizens and residents of this country, not just the Christians (and, of course, by Christians, we mean only those sects that don't think Christmas is a Pagan ritual that shouldn't be celebrated or that a nativity scene is a graven image prohibited by the Ten Commandments).
The Constitution was carefully drafted to protect the Few from the oppression and tyranny (and intolerance) of the Many. But let's assume for a moment that the Constitution does not prohibit such a display. At the very least, all religious views would be entitled to equal treatment -- so while you are so confident that a display of Christian symbols on government property isn't hurting anyone, can you in good conscience say the same would be true if the Church of Satan wanted to display their Sigil of Baphomet?
I, for one, don't want the sign of the devil posted on the lawn of my Courthouse. And for that very reason, why should the Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Muslims, Atheists, or anyone else who came to this country seeking religious freedom be subjected to the image of a God they don't believe in every time they are required to attend official business at the Courthouse?
What is good for the goose, is good for the gander - you simply can't have it both ways.
And by the way, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.
I disagree with your belief that displays and expressions of faith on public property are inappropriate. What else can I say?
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
God bless us, every one!
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