Nativity Scene Display at City Hall

I'm Jewish. I see a nativity scene. I drive on and have no qualms whatsoever. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANUKKAH AND HAPPY WHATEVER.

My dad would put up lights for Hanukkah - because Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights.

While I would think that it is beautiful, I think that the fact that it is government property changes things a little. The city government is supposed to represent all of the people in the city, and I think it has to be an all or nothing kind of thing, since there are other holidays at this time of year as well. When something like this is displayed on personal property, then freedom of religion comes into play, but when it is on government property, some people might feel offended that they are not represented at all.

I do not. I think that this projects the view that Christianity is the state sanctioned/supported religion (and that there is a state supported religion). This is a similar case (also in Pittsburgh) where the Supreme court decided that the creche display was not allowable.

http://atheism.about.com/library/decisions/holydays/bldec...

Do all the people who believe this is fine, honestly believe they would be comfortable with a solitary display of say, a giant Quran at City Hall?

Why can't these people get a life? Really, is the Nativity scene going to hurt them? Why can't they just roll their eyes and drive on past?

I think people who throw fits like this over something that doesn't concern them should find a hobby.

YYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS! Everyone has different beliefs and if people don't stop getting upset over what someone else believes we are going to be in a world of hurt soon! You can express whatever holiday you want to me, I just want people to be friendly and stop judging everyone else for this or that.

personally I think the world has gone a little crazy- if you dont like it dont look at it, or read it, or buy it but really do we need to sue over something this silly? Here we had to take the crosses down off the side the road that were put where Highway Patrol men were killed because the anti religion people didnt like them. I think it has all gone a little over the top and Christmas is a religious holiday it is not celebrating the birth of Santa it celebrating the birth of Christ.

Bah humbug.

This country was founded by persons seeking religious freedom, and many people still come to our country for that reason. It is a nativity scene for goodness sake - it does no harm.

Next no O. will be able to decorate their lawns, stores will not be able to play Christmas music, - oh wait, the holiday will no longer be able to be called Christmas because that may offend someone.

When has our nation become a group of whiny toddlers screaming "not fair". Learning to embrace and RESPECT our differences is the basis for a strong community. Not mongering hate and disrespect and engaging in actions that are divisive. I suppose the Christmas parade my son's high school band is marching in tonight, along with the lighting of our my city's Christmas decorations should be banned also?

I went to the website of the Freedom from Religion Foundation - took a look at their Form 990 - they had over $7 million in assets and two Co-presidents making a little over $75K each. Also read O. of their newsletters or annual recaps on their activities. They are rabid and almost hate mongering.

Check out the City of Elwood's website also. They had a huge number of residents turn out yesterday to support their tradition and not O., yup zero, "protesters" showed up. This display is supported by the members of the this community (i.e., the taxpayers). I find it distasteful that an organization with no ties to the community would have nerve to dictate harmless community traditions.

Personal opinions of all are things to be respected. But, as a Christian I am feel that organizations like Freedom from Religion are going to far - they are taking their opinions and now trying to push them onto others. No O. likes it when this happens no matter what your beliefs are.

I think that we, as a country, have become consumed with being politically correct to the point that open, honest, and educational conversations no longer happen. We are just told that we are wrong if we are religious, or a certain race, or a certain economic class, or read a certain book, or eat certain foods. We are becoming afraid to express ourselves for fear of sanctions - this is not the premise that this nation was founded on and that our people have struggled to achieve. We are going to far. We need to breathe deeply of the free air that surrounds us, remember the sacrifices made that got us to this point, and embrace each other.

So, as many of the Christmas season songs say - let us celebrate "Joy to the World" "Peace on Earth and Good Will to men".

And let us all decorate (or not) as we want too and just ooh and ahh at the pretty lights.

I'm Catholic & deck my halls for Christmas, but it doesn't offend me in the least if City Hall is not decked out. Here in Chicago there are hundreds of churches, most with some kind of outdoor nativity set--thousands and thousands of homes with outdoor nativity sets...I don't have to have it at City Hall to make me know what the Christmas season is about.

I DO believe in the separation of church & state, when interpreted reasonably. Not displaying a nativity scene does not infringe upon my religious rights or my ability to practice my religion.

That being said, I think there is a difference when you look at something like having the 10 Commandments placcard in a public building. The 10 Commandments formed the basis for much of our legal system, so it is historically accurate to put them there.

I think it should be all religions who would like to participate or nothing. We are a nation of more than O. religion....which is why the first immigrants moved here- to have freedom to worship.

Then let's just go ahead and take it all the way:
On government property you cannot display or wear any jewelry, clothing, signage, etc. that might give anyone any indication that you believe (or don't believe) in anything! Nor can you say anything that might give an indication. Then let's sterilize all market places in the same way. Next we will remove it from private property.
It's not like displays are in the same category as say, smoking. They don't hurt anyone, so let's get rid of them.

I think Kelly's answer sounds like the logical reason.
They need to create an "its a small world" display I guess.
I don't agree with it, I think the nativity she be allowed everywhere until they totally BAN the word CHRISTmas..... which basically is starting to happen.
What's happening is all biblical so I'm not freaking out about it, it's actually very interesting to be aleady informed and watch the prophesy taking place.
Amen.

FOr me, the Nativity scene is pretty religious! I am surprised that it's still in City Hall. A year (or two?) ago at our state capital they took away the Christmas trees!! I still am a bit baffled by that.
I think that if a government is going to display O. kind of religion then they probably should display them all. I don't have a problem with it, but I think it kind of goes against the whole idea that the government is supposed to stay out of religion. (I just never saw Christmas trees as religious!)
L.

Ditto to Catherine C.

If we celebrate O. we should celebrate the all on Federal Property.

I too am Agnostic, we have tree, Santa comes, we have lights on the house. But I don't necessarily care whether someone wants to put a nativity scene out on federal land but then I guess it needs to be "fair"...don't try to convert me, I have already converted to my choice.

BAH!!! They sell 15 foot Menorrahs which can be lit O. light at a time.

Personally, I like seeing the huge Nativity and Menorrah. I am a Christain and other religious symbols do not bother me.

I grew up in this little bitty down that the FFRF group is causing in my opinion trouble. This has been a tradition in town for over 50 plus years. They place not only the Nativity scene but also items for Hanukkah and Kwanza. They also display a Santa Claus and reindeer. The law is that just a Nativity scene can not be place on government property but if it is placed with other Christmas decorations and displays then it is fine.
This town is full of Italians and has a church on pretty much every corner. So as you saw our little city came out in full force to support the display. This country was born so people had Freedom OF religion not FROM. This group has a facebook page and has done nothing but call the people from this town uneducated, stupid and have even made some threats. I dont understand what this group from WI wants with a town of less than 1,000 people. I feel that if you dont like it, then dont look at it. There are many things in this world that I dont like, dont think is right but Im not forcing my beliefs on others. My grandmother was raised Catholic as was my dad with going to church every Sunday. Going to midnight mass on Christmas eve and everything else involved. I on the other hand was not. My parents let me choice how I wanted to perceive God. I have gone to church but im not O. that goes every week or half the time within once a year.
I think this group has no right to try and stop us from a tradition. Next thing we know they will be stopping everyone from going to church. Its people like them that have put this country into alot of the mess that we are now no longer allowed to do.

My mother is a sculptor (now living in China) and she was employed by a city to do all of the restoration on this huge mile long Nativity scene that ran for over a mile on a huge public street. If the residents of this city knew what was spent on this (and to fly her back from China, storage, lodging and the restoration) they would have a cow. I guess people knew but it was a crazy amount....I'm talking over 50K, this city has way better things to do with 50K.

In my opinion, government property belongs to all of us, and we're all protected by our Bill of RIghts. Therefore, a nativity is acceptable. Along that line of thinking, so is EVERY other expression of freedom of religious (or lack thereof) freedom - even the ones we don't agree with or like. In fact, I wish there were more of these displays so that our children can see that our faith is just as important as our finances.

Separation of church and state shouldn't forbid our beliefs, it should only make sure that we don't legislate that others believe the same. I guess what irritates me the most about this particular situation is that a group from hundreds of miles away is raising a ruckus. I have a hard time forcing an issue when I know that something upsets my neighbors, but why do crusaders have to cause trouble when there isn't any?

I think it is perfectly fine. I think you can have a religious display on government property without infringing on "seperation of church and state" because no O. is forcing a person to be a specific religion. I would not throw a fit if it were a Jewish or a Muslim religious display during O. of their important holidays. This country is made up of many different religions. While I don't agree with them all it doesnt mean I would take away the right of someone to believe/practice that way. There are so many other things to get upset over or try to change.

I guess it's the slippery slope thing, being that it's government property. It would be so nice if a nearby private establishment would put the nativity scene up instead.

I don't agree with not being able to put up the nativity scene, just like I wouldn't like it if a menorah were banned. And I think that the organizations screaming about a holiday thing that last a few short weeks just makes them look bad. But I do understand the issue with government property.

Dawn