War On Christmas… Wisconsin Group Sues Athens, Texas Over Nativity Scene
Posted by Jim Hoft on Thursday, December 8, 2011, 11:40 AM
A Wisconsin-based non-profit group called for Athens, Texas to remove its Nativity scene. It offends them… up in Wisconsin.
The war continues on Christmas.
WFAA reported:
The signs of Christmas are everywhere in downtown Athens.
Lights, trees, and Santa and his reindeer line the streets. But it’s the nativity scene on the lawn at the county courthouse that has caused concern.
“I just don’t understand it, to be honest with you,” said Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders. “I’m just confused about it.”
Sanders says residents haven’t complained. The issues were brought up by the Freedom From Religion foundation, a Wisconsin non-profit group who sent a letter to the county this week, calling the display unconstitutional and demanding it come down.
“I’m an old country boy, you come to my house looking for a fight, you’re going to get one,” said County Commissioner Joe Hall. “That’s from the bottom of my heart.”
There’s no confusing how Hall feels. He says the county isn’t budging.
“We’ll remove it when hell freezes over,” Hall said. “It’s not going to happen.”
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Published May 23, 2012 at 4:57 am - 64 Comments
The Elector of Saxony commented:
If a bunch of Commie sissies from Wisconsin want to come down to Texas for a fight, I say let them come.
#1AMERICAN commented:
“We’ll remove it when hell freezes over,” Hall said. “It’s not going to happen.”
—————————————————-
AMEN…stick to your guns….all you fukken atheists can kiss my A$$
greenfairie commented:
And yet atheist douches can put skeletal Santas to mock Christians on public property.
You’re awesome, Joe Hall! We need more pols with spine like you! Don’t let these idiots wreck your community!
8 My Foot commented:
Don’t mess with Texas.
Nanna commented:
God bless Taxas,!!! We have got to start fighting back over the war on Christianity. Faith built this country, and the athiests, and communits are trying to take it down, by taking away the one thing that really held us together, and apart from other countries.
WillofLa commented:
I’ve heard of this group before. They are always fighting against anything Christian. They really do need to change their name so that the truth about where they stand in American society to, Freedom From Christianity Foundation. Then everyone would understand where they are coming from and would know to just ignore the idiots. So what if they find some leftist judge to pass opinion on the city ordinances of Athen’s Texas, that does not do away with the ordinance and the people can still act on it. And that means the Nativity stays!!
Sam Stone commented:
What war on Christmas? Mental Midget Jon Stewart says there is no war on Christmas!
Isn’t he the most intelligent and credible news source for millions?
burt commented:
How does a nativity in Texas affect the morons in Wisconsin? Law under Obama. A man tries to buy Obama’s Senate seat gets 14 years and mass murders get less time in jail.
Highlander commented:
Good for him. And if the ACLU or some other anti-American, communist-loving collection of losers pushes the issue through the courts and wins, just have someone anonymously put it up every year anyway. Every city and state should do that. Are these losers going to hire crews to go around removing trees and nativity scenes? They probably would … and Obama would celebrate all the jobs he created. I’d like to see them try it though … especially in Texas.
Deanna commented:
There must be something in the water in Wisconsin. I have family who have moved there. Now they were all Dems and even a couple were slightly Left. But since they moved to Wisconsin, they have become flaming far Left loons. Everything is based on some politcal screening process. You can’t bring up any subject without one of them bashing Conservatives, Repubs, the governor, Tea Party,etc. I can’t stand to talk to them any more. So this article doesn’t surprise me in the least.
averagemelon commented:
Every single household in Athens needs to put up a Nativity Scene and an American flag. Wisconsin better stay where they are and shut the foosball up. They need to remeber the Alamo.
Stuart commented:
Now I know why southerners refer to the Civil War as the War of Yankee Aggression.
Wisconsin: Mind your own damn business.
Gater commented:
The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
The Ninth Amendment says: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
I don’t see where there is any conflick. The First Amendment does have any effect on the Athens, Texas city council. This issue should only affect *Federal* agencies in Texas, not a city.
States’ powers, guys!
Texas_Treeroach commented:
God knows the atheists are offended!
So, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is welcome to bury itself in the ground for the next three weeks to avoid the traumatic experience of Christmas.
I know the ground is hard in Madison this time of year — but the FFRF can pretend they are a determined gophers — now THAT will be meaningful mission, improving everyone’s Christmas experience.
mercador commented:
Only a fool has said in his heart, “there is no God”. Bunch of fools.
Gater commented:
Oops: “Doesn’t have any affect”
Patty commented:
Look at this scene. Just look at the beauty. I would love to have a Nativity Scene like this in my front yard. Then if one person complains I would go to my death fighting it in court.
I would keep it and hold it up in court until after Christmas and then it comes down. And then I will pass something to keep it up every Christmas. Do anything but when no one complains but a few there shouldn’t be a question about it.
I gone see if something profane was in the city, you would have more complaints, a record number but this is insane.
mercador commented:
#11 They are not Mexican are they? What does the Alamo have to do with the Nativity scene or Wisconsin Atheists?
Patty commented:
Wisconsin group, that says it all. There is something really needy and hateful going on in that state
Dave commented:
Christians always want the government to prop up their religion. If Jesus is the son of god, why does he need welfare money?
Patty commented:
Correction: #17
I could see not I gone see
This is beautiful and not profanity. This nation is lacking in good judgement on just about everything.
mercador commented:
#20 That is waht Satan said to Jesus, “if you are the Son of God, turn these rocks into bread”.
Out of your heart your mouth speaks.
mercador commented:
Sorry “what”
George commented:
God bless Joe Hall.
Jen C commented:
As a Wisconsinite, I am embarrassed that some stupid organization located in my state is involved in this nonsense. There ARE Wisconsinites who stand with you Athens! CHRISTmas is about CHRIST. So God bless you for keeping the main thing the main thing!!
Robert commented:
The thing to do is to begin the long process of redefining “the establishment of religion” to its original historical meaning, and its purpose and relevance to today.
Instead, we always allow ourselves to get caught up in an argument based on an interpretation, provided by atheists and leftists, that has been shopped to liberal-leftist judges.
DavidD commented:
Hey, maybe these Freedom From Religion folks are onto something…
But, instead of freedom from Christianity, I want freedom from Kwanzaa, freedom from Islam, freedom from the cult of anthropogenic global warming, freedom from the cult of Darwinism, freedom from Leftism (the Church of Godlessness), etc. etc. etc.
gee! commented:
Stay the Hell out Texas than you wouldn’t be offended………….just saying
daryl commented:
Freedom From Religion Foundation
http://www.ffrf.org/
FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION EXPOSED:REBUTTALS/CRITICISM
http://atheismexposed.tripod.com/freedom_from_religion.htm
“Formed in 1976 by Annie Gaylor Jr. and Sr., the foundation was incorporated nationally in 1978. It has grown ever since and is now supported by over 11,000 members. It is run out of an 1855 building at the corner of West Washington Avenue and North Henry Street in Madison, Wisconsin that once was a church rectory. With a minimum annual membership fee of $40, the foundation has saved over $3.3 million (US) and receives over $1 million in dues per year. The foundation primarily uses this money to pay legal fees in cases contesting the separation of church and state of various United States governmental organizations, but it also pays salaries to its staff of four, distributes advertisements and sends out news publications to its members.”
Mona commented:
This local group of morons, Annie Gaylor and her “Freedom From Religion” goons, have been causing trouble up here in the frozen north for decades. Get a life!!!and leave ours alone! Please know that the vast majority of folks in Wisconsin are just as nauseated by this group as the rest of the sane world. Sad to see her tentacles reaching all the way to Texas.
Eubulides commented:
#13
WRONG
The Fourteenth Amendment applies the First Amendment to all branches as well as state and local governments through the incorporation doctrine.
Patty commented:
Those who have complain about God, Nativity, Flag, Ten Commandments JUST LEAVE OUR COUNTRY, PLEASE. And many can take up a collection for your one way ticket out.
Eubulides commented:
#34
Four things not mentioned in the Constitution.
Jason commented:
This country was founded on faith well there it sits in Athens just as it should. If u dumb silly atheist idiots don’t like what the f$); is in front of our courthouses guess what there are 359 other degrees to turn ur heads. Sit down shut up and mind your own dang business.
WillofLa commented:
The one thing that this country needs to do is re-establish the fact that America is a Christian nation, founded by Christian’s, for Christian’s, so that the different Christian faith’s could live in peace together and not have one particular brand of faith try to take over the government like it was in Great Britain. That was the reason why our founding fathers left England and that was because the Church of England had established itself as the governing body that established the function of British society. You couldn’t own property unless you were a member of the Church of England. You couldn’t start a business unless you were a member of the Church of England, etc. That’s what our founding fathers wanted to avoid, not to stiffle the practice of all the different Christian faiths, but to keep one from taking over the government. That’s all there is to it. Otherwise why else would our Constitution say that, “Congress shall make NO LAW restricting the practice of faith(and all that goes along with those different faiths in the statues, images, signs, crosses, or anything else that indicates what kind of faith it is that is in practice).
The problem with these foundations, organizations, societies, or what have you is they don’t accept the Constitution when it says that no law shall be made by Congress which is extended to each state, city by law. Since our Constitution applies to not only the government but the states as well, that means that no one can tell the state to stop some religious group, i.e., faith from practicing whatever it is they do that separates that particular faith from the rest. Go by a Greek Othadox church some time and see the difference in what their cross looks like compared to a Baptist Church’s cross. If you want go to a service there and see the difference between how they hold service and a Catholic service. But all three of those do one thing in common and that is they worship Christ Jesus as Lord, and God as the Creator of the Universe.
If these atheists wanted to do something that was Constitutional they could just look the other way when they pass by one of these churches because there’s not a damn thing they can do about what they have outside, nor can they do anything about if the employees decide to put a Nativity outside City Hall and it’s okay with whoever(due to architectual design requirments and/or restrictions), then they can put whatever they want out front on the lawn and no extreme minority group or National organization can do a damn thing about it. Why? Because it’s the law, that’s why!
WillofLa commented:
And the one major simple fact is that it is not the government agency or state agency that is making an announcment that it is professing Christianity as it’s guiding entity. NO, that’s not what is going on if some one puts a Nativity outside some government building. What is happening is, IT’S THE PEOPLE INSIDE WHO WORK THERE WHO ARE PUTTING THE NATIVITY OUTSIDE THE BUILDING. It’s the Christian’s who work there who are partisipating in the Christmas celebrations, seasonal goings on who are putting the image of the manger scene in front of the building. That’s all it is atheist’s. No governing agency is taking any kind of stand that it is now professing that Christianity is what it goes by and not the law of the land. And there is no separation of church and state. That is a lie and always has been as put forth by the atheists back in the 70′s when all this anti-Christian crap started. It’s during that time that the ACLU got cranked up and started sueing everyone in sight who even looked like they might be a Christian, or who even mentioned Jesus in a school. That’s when schoo prayer was banned. What I want to know is, where were the Christian’s during the time that atheists were taking their Constitutional rights away? They were hiding because Christian’s had a price on their heads at that time. You couldn’t even tell anyone you were a Christian back then without being attacked. I went through it, I know.
WillofLa commented:
But there was also a huge rising of Christian faith back then to in order to counter liberalism’s attacks on what was America’s heritage and legacy. To jar some of your memories, remember the “Jesus Freak’s”? Remember the rage of being “Born Again”? Remember all the youth programs that started up in churches that were all but dead? It was the great awakening of Christian faith in America! It is starting to die down again though and we need another revival like we had back in the 70′s!
Eubulides commented:
#37, 38
You seem to know less about history than you know about law. Quite an accomplishment.
Please read the wikipedia articles for:
- Lemon Test
- State Actor
American Freedom Fighter commented:
From the Freedom From Religion foundation site:
“to promote the constitutional principle of separation between church
and state. ”
Someone needs to tell these folks that “separation between church and
state” is not a constitutional principle. The Constitution gives us the
“Freedom of Religion” NOT the “Freedom From Religion”.
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=123
Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802 to
answer a letter from them written in October 1801. The Danbury Baptists
were a religious minority in Connecticut, and they complained that in
their state, the religious liberties they enjoyed were not seen as
immutable rights, but as privileges granted by the legislature – as
“favors granted.” Jefferson’s reply did not address their concerns about
problems with state establishment of religion – only of establishment on
the national level. The letter contains the phrase “wall of separation
between church and state,” which led to the short-hand for the
Establishment Clause that we use today: “Separation of church and
state.”
“Jefferson believed that the government was to be powerless to interfere
with religious expressions for a very simple reason: he had long
witnessed the unhealthy tendency of government to encroach upon the free
exercise of religion.
Thomas Jefferson had no intention of allowing the government to limit,
restrict, regulate, or interfere with public religious practices. He
believed, along with the other Founders, that the First Amendment had
been enacted only to prevent the federal establishment of a national
denomination – a fact he made clear in a letter to fellow-signer of the
Declaration of Independence Benjamin Rush.”
There is probably no other instance in America’s history where words
spoken by a single individual in a private letter – words clearly
divorced from their context – have become perverted into a national
policy. “Separation of church and state” currently means almost
exactly the opposite of what it originally meant.
derek commented:
God Bless Joe Hall !!!!!!
Tell them “Hell” doesnt belong in Texas so get the F*** out.
tommy mc donnell commented:
why aren’t there any suits like this againist islam, like prayer rooms in tax supported schools or teachers teaching about the need for respect for islam. could it be because they people doing the suing are marxists and islam and marxism are perfect together.
bg commented:
++
God in the State Constitutions
“Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven”.
they can try and define the use of Lord seven ways ’till Sunday,
still doesn’t explain the context in which using the term became
a common way of expressing the date..
==
bg commented:
++
re: #44 December 8, 2011 at 3:01 pm bg
Texas
Preamble:
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of
the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1, Section 6:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty
God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
Article 16, Section 1, oath of office:
“… so help me God.”
Wisconsin
Preamble:
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom,
in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure
domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this
constitution.
Article 1, Section 18:
The right of every person to worship Almighty God
according to the dictates of conscience shall never
be infringed;
==
bg commented:
++
Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868. Note History
1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by
appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
==
bg commented:
++
A Happy Holy Day & Merry Christmas To Athens Texas!!
==
margie johnson commented:
the people needs to no what Christmas is all about Jesus is the reason for the season, not nothing else. the wise men brought baby Jesus gifts is where the other santa and so forth has come in to Christmas. So please keep the navitity scene on the court house lawn so we can see the beautiful scenery.
bg commented:
++
margie johnson #48 December 8, 2011 at 3:41 pm
there actually was a Saint Nicholas, aka: Santa..
==
derek commented:
Those Texans will see to it that evry house in town has a Nativity Scene
Joe Hall for President 2012!!!!!!!!!
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:
The issues were brought up by the Freedom From Religion foundation, a Wisconsin non-profit group who sent a letter to the county this week, calling the display unconstitutional and demanding it come down.
My response would have been, “Complaining about it from over there isn’t going to get results. The lawsuit has to be filed here. In TX.”
Molon Labe commented:
#40
You Bidy:
Once again you demonstrate the failure of the American education system; an incredible arrogance; and a level of stupidity not seen since Rosie O’Donnell told us fire can’t melt steel.
God isn’t mentioned in the Constitution? As always you are good for a luagh and demonstrate why leftist trolls should be seen rather remain hidden in their parents basements.
Molon Labe commented:
Joe Hall for president.
Molon Labe commented:
#33
You Biddy has a unique understanding of the Constitution. The 14th amendment doesn’t override the 10th amendment nor the 9th since it addresses neither. All should read his comment to understand the thinking of a living Constitution advocate. “Words mean what I choose them to mean, nothing more, nothing less.”
Got news for you Bidy, your understanding of the constitution proves you must have studied under Obama at the Alesinky Law School.
VengefulSpatula commented:
I’m with #26 on this.
I am on the side of Athens. I wish all of these groups of morons would F off, already. They want nothing more than to ruin peoples’ spirit.
workingclass artist commented:
” “I’m an old country boy, you come to my house looking for a fight, you’re going to get one,” said County Commissioner Joe Hall. “That’s from the bottom of my heart.”
There’s no confusing how Hall feels. He says the county isn’t budging.
“We’ll remove it when hell freezes over,” Hall said. “It’s not going to happen.”
Spoken like a true son of Texas Commissioner Hall…God Bless Texas!
Gig Em’
Perry 2012
martha commented:
This Jewish girl would like to wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone in Athens, please keep your nativity scene up. I think it’s beautiful
This Jewish girl loves Christmas and all that it represents.
Eubulides commented:
Molon Labe:
#55
The 14th amendment does override prior amendments. That is what amendment means. Please refer to Article 5.
#52
Please enlighten me. Where in the US Constitution is God mentioned?
stephen commented:
i am originally an east texan from tyler texas. this is a bunch of bs. i stand beside my brothers and sisters in east tx on this one.
RON commented:
i used to put out one every year and then these wackjobs moved on our block and smashed it up and said do it again and we will smash your car up we are taking over and will not have this kind of lie on this block anymore . ha ha for them they moved out real quick when they got a taste of our hood. pay backs are a bitch !
Elizabeth Tucker commented:
Hmmm…there must be an atheist snowbird in Athens!
American Patriot commented:
Who or what non-christian communist organization hates the birth of the christ- God In The Flesh. The anti-christ yes would sue and hate this. This country was founded on freedom. I won’t tell you what color to paint your house and you are not going to tell me what I can celebrate. WE WILL ALWAYS WELCOME IN TEXAS THE BIRTHDAY OF JESUS CHRIST. GOD IN THE FLESH…..MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA!
H Haas commented:
The Supreme Court has ruled against nativity scenes on government property in the past, but it seems clear, it’s a fight county officials are ready to take on.
“I ain’t gonna back down,” Hall said. “I haven’t and I won’t.”
——————————————————————————–
A war on Christmas?! Give me a break people! Why, why DID the Supreme Court rule against nativity scenes on government property?! On what grounds?! Could it have something to do with the very basis of our constitution having been written, and the founders of our country fleeing from religious persecution and seeking religious freedom? Could it have something to do with their mandating for our country, that for this freedom to excist (in any capacity) our government must remain neutral and maintain complete separation between church and state? And why is that? Hello! The spin on the stories covering Athen’s nativity scene is sickening. The whole issue is, it’s against the law in our country to place religious artifacts on government property. Especially on the doorsteps of a country courthouse of all places. No one is offended by baby Jesus or Christmas lawn decor! Just that it represents government sponsorship to one particular religious belief in this case given where it sits, and this in a country that is supposed to promote the very reason it came into being…to relish and allow Religious Freedom for it’s citizens.
The atheist group sign is a joke, and shouldn’t garner attention. What should be written, is something that educates the Athen’s locals on why the request to not “remove” but to “move” the scene was made by the Wisconsin group in the first place. (by the way, it was a local from Athens who contacted the group in Wisconsin, so for the local official to denounce that is horrid.) This is has nothing to do with some sort of anti-Christmas ba-humbug anti-Jesus group trying to prevent a lil’ ole’ town from their festivities. Please! This is simply an act to prevent ignorance from themselves and the rest of us.
Your stories are not helping the right side of this issue, and only serve to perpetuate the misled and misguided drama of it all. The only weapon our country has to protect our right to religious freedom, is to maintain, honor and hold sacred that church is kept separate from state. If this fundamental piece of our constitution is not regarded and understood, but instead overlooked in the name of Christmas, baby Jesus or Christianity on any level at any place, then we begin the spiral downward, and ultimately, we will not have tolerance in this country for all religions, but instead just one. And we may as well throw in the towel to our own ignorance.
There’s nothing at all to be fought in Athens by it’s county officials. They simply need to follow the constitution, and show respect for all of it’s citizens over and above the majority, and have the nativity scene relocated elsewhere in town that is still prominent, but not on government property and for goodness sakes, not on the doorstep of the county courthouse! I’d hate to be an American citizen who happens to be a Muslim, and expect to get a fair trial from the judge who “aint gonna back down” in that county.
Really? People please.
Alicia commented:
Who the hell do they think they are to try and tell Texans what they can do in their own state. They need to mind their business, if they want to screw up their own state thats their problem. They try to come down to Texas and mess with our state, they are going to be lucky to get out alive! We don’t play down here with that kind of crap!
Emily Tidwell commented:
I am highly offended. This is the town I grew up in and I for one will not stand for this. I DARE them to come down here and TRY to make us take it down!!!!!
Redraider commented:
“H Haas commented”
“A war on Christmas?! Give me a break people! Why, why DID the Supreme Court rule against nativity scenes on government property?!
IT WAS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ruling made by Athiest ACTIVISTS ACLU members posing as supreme court judges. That makes them impartial and that an invalid judgement.
On what grounds?! Could it have something to do with the very basis of our constitution having been written, and the founders of our country fleeing from religious persecution and seeking religious freedom?
How about doing a little, JUST A LITTLE, research and you will find that they were fleeing England so that the could PRACTICE CHRISTIANITY FREELY, FREE FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE!!! If you don’t know that, I’m sorry, but that qualifies you for being either extremely ignorant or just plain stupid. If you believe that, you believe George Washington, the first President of our Country was lieing when he said:
“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor”
And John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of our country said:
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
So ANY Supreme Court that says ANYTHING that has to do with Christianity is unconstitutional is a liar and a seditious criminal.
Could it have something to do with their mandating for our country, that for this freedom to excist (in any capacity) our government must remain neutral and maintain complete separation between church and state?” In short, No.
Mike J commented:
You know how to avoid being sued? Slap a freaking snowman or santa up on that same lawn. In Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668 (1984), the Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of a government-erected crèche. Significantly, the Lynch Court upheld the constitutionality of the holiday display in that case because the crèche was a part of a larger holiday display in which there were a variety of secular symbols. Because Santa, a snowman, even a freaking Christmas tree are SECULAR symbols of the holiday season, If you put up one of those symbols, you are in the clear.
michael Helton commented:
Wisconsin Group
They must be a very miserable persons to try to get someone else as miserable as they are. We love the Good News about Jesus. He took drugs and a wasted life from me. I take great joy feeding people, putting clothes on their backs, putting shelter over their heads and telling them that God loves them. What do you have to offer? Removing all the symbols of the Birth of Christ from public view. Is this your great gift to society. Surely you can find more humane pursuits than this. Disaster Relief, homeless shelters, pregnacy centers are all needing help. There was no room at the Inn when He came the first time, lets make sure there is room for Him now. Sure I want kids to know about the Birth of Christ. If the majority of people want something and it is not illegal then they should decide that for their towns. Not someone from half way across the country. Just keep fixing up your life without God. We hold the right to fix our lives up with God.
Toni commented:
I from ohio and moved to texas 2 years ago. I now see why you call us yankees. Please do not base everyone from the north on people like this. UGH. I believe everyone has a right to their own beliefs and religion. If they want to display something TASTEFUL about their religion then we should accept it and not judge them. After all we are fighting to keep the nativity of jesus and what is it that he teaches us…not to judge, and to love one another. We need to come to a compromise. By this group taking away our nativitys and our CHRISTmas they are getting what it is that they want. They are displaying their religion, while taking away ours. That is unfair and unjust. Athens texas is a beautiful place and would allow anyone to display their religious beliefs, done tastefully of course. But when a group from Wisconsin comes to this small town to raise hell…texas will stand their ground. So to the group in wisicion…you can’t even see it from your house let alone your state. There are state lines and we wish you would not cross ours! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!
Stephanie commented:
I just have a couple things to say as food for thought. First let me say that I love Jesus in all fashions that he may come in. On a cross, in a manger or any of the millions of ways that we depict Christ to have him closer to our heart. However, even more important than that is what he said…am I right? Those red letters are balm to our and others souls. That being said I would like to examine two of the scriptures most stood on by me and those who follow his teachings. Preached and recited a million times in a million Churches. Those who follow his teaching and I mean REALLY follow his teachings and not just jump on a band wagon when baby Jesus (who isn’t real on that courthouse) is threatened. (I promise you Jesus isn’t threatened by this at all…maybe mildly amused) and I say that because Jesus said two things…
Love one another….
Love your enemies….
That would be love your.
Homeless neighbor
Muslim neighbor
Black neighbor
White neighbor
Jewish neighbor
Transgender neighbor
Christian neighbor
Addicted neighbor
Racist neighbor and yes.
Atheist neighbor.
If anyone in that list is between you and God…they are closer…to…God. Get the picture?
And..if anyone in that list is your enemy than would God ask you to love something or someone that he doesn’t in fact love himself? If not than he is the biggest hypocrite of all…to ask me to love some folks that he would not…..and we all know God is not a liar nor a hypocrite….right?
I don’t think that God or Jesus would have a bit of a problem removing those “images” if it brought one single shred of love to those Atheist and opened a door of thought into love…that is what Jesus did.
What better way to love them than to do something unexpected and at the very least…shut down the chaos that they intended to bring and all others are now jumping on the bandwagon and as far as I am concerned both the religious and the atheist alike have the same agenda….let’s just do battle….and I don’t see that in Jesus life except to turn over a few tables to let folks know that it sin’t about a “business deal” with God so that everyone else can see your power…(and the same can said in reverse…right?) It’s suppose to be a relationship.. One that we that call ourselves Christians need to be exhibiting at all times to anyone that crosses our path…whether it be the house we live in, school or job we go to, Church we attend or yes…even the Courthouse lawn and it is for this reason I am for removing it…..(she says dodging the stones).
Kenneth Graham commented:
We are granted freedom of religion not “from” religion.
lorrie benefield commented:
I was born and raised in ATHENS, TX! and we as christians will stand up for our religion! I think that whom ever contacted the freedom from religion foundation, apparently doesn’t have any thing better to do.. why do you wait this long to stir up trouble! THERE IS A GOD.. THERE IS A HEAVEN, AND A HELL! AND WHEN JESUS COMES BACK TO CLAIM HIS BELIEVERS, YOU WILL BE THE ONES ON YOUR KNEES ASKING HIM …TO FORGIVE YOU, AND TO TAKE YOU WITH HIM! WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS.. AND THIS SITUATION SHALL BE PROOF OF THAT! I JUST PRAY THAT GOD HIM SELF WILL SPEAK TO ALL THE NON BELIEVERS…. AND TRUELY OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE TRUTH! AND ANOTHER THING… JUST BECAUSE WE PUT UP A NATIVITY SCENE DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE FORCING ANY RELIGION ON ANY ONE! CHRISTMAS IS THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST… CHRISTMAS ISn’t ABOUT SANTA.. AND HIS ELVES.. ITS TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON WHO EVER ROAMED THE EARTH.. MY SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!