Judge Rules Nativity Display Should Join Menorahs

[Freddie Stubbs]

Federal Judges Says Town Must Display Both Holiday Symbols

POSTED: 9:16 am EST December 16, 2004

BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla. -- A judge decided Wednesday a town that formerly decorated for the holidays with only symbols related to Chanukah will also be displaying a Nativity scene this year.

U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga ruled that Bay Harbor Islands must allow the display of the Nativity. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed on behalf of a resident who said she tried for two years to get the town to allow the Nativity scene in addition to Jewish holiday symbols.

Sandra Snowden said that her repeated requests for Bay Harbor Islands to display a Nativity scene were denied, and the Town Council refused to discuss the issue and adjourned a meeting in protest.

Dec. 3, Thomas More Law Center filed a federal lawsuit against the Bay Harbor Islands and its officials for their refusal to allow a Nativity to be displayed.

more: http://www.local10.com/holidays/4002115/detail.html

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Calling all Muslims, Kwanzaa celebrants, etc, etc.....

[oneighty]

2. Tent skirt is raised

Camel nose inserted. And a Christian did it. Took the bait hook line and sinker.

[joefree1]

3. Cool, where do I set up our Pagan Yule display

Happy Winter Solstice y'all.


B*B

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PaganWarrior/

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. If I were a Pagan I would get in touch with the Pagan community there.

Equal rights for all.

What a can of worms that ruling opened.

[iamjoy]

5. Menorah In Every Nativity Scene

Really, every town that has a nativity scene or Christmas symbol must now add a menorah. And something for Kwanzaa, and....

[amandabeech]

6. It sounds like the ruling will only require nativities on request

from residents.

That would mean that municipalities that put up holiday decorations must reflect all religions of their residents on request. Or at least those religions that have a holiday in December or January.

The ruling also would require cities displaying nativity scenes to display menorahs on request of Jewish residents.

I suppose those cities putting candy canes, etc., on lamp posts could be required to purchase a few lighted dreidles and put them up, too.

Really, since the Hanukkah decorations were paid for with taxpayer money, the city has very choice. Either it can take down the menorahs or add the nativity scene.

Many cities do not sponsor religious scenes, but leave the houses of worship to do it on their premises to avoid this problem.

[Tansy_Gold]

7. Isn't the Thomas More Law Center part of that whole

uber-Catholic law project started by Tom Monaghan, who made his fortune from Domino's Pizza?