Away With The Manger: Long-Time Nativity Display Moved

A nativity display which has been outside a North Carolina courthouse for over 40 years has been removed, after a group complained about its presence on government property. According to Fox News, the Freedom From Religion Foundation complained the statues of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus were owned by the town of Dallas. Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national non-profit group that says its purpose is to protect the constitutional principal of separation between state and church.

The Gaston Gazette reported the move of the nativity display was made after Town Manager Jim Palenick received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation requesting the display be taken down this year, or else the town could face possible legal action. The letter was prompted by a complaint received from a citizen informing the group the display at the courthouse last year only included religious figures. Inflatables, which included Santa Claus and a snowman, were placed a distance away from the Nativity scene.

On Friday, the nativity scene found its new home at Beaty’s Service Center on West Trade Street. It’s a block away from the display’s usual Christmastime home at the Dallas Courthouse. Shop owner John Beaty said he offered to take in the religious centerpiece to keep the tradition alive.

“You can’t take Jesus out of Christmas,” he said. “The town said they couldn’t do it anymore for legal reasons, so we decided to keep it going.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation defended its letter to the town.

“We didn’t threaten or say we would litigate the matter, but the goal was to inform the town of its legal obligations and have it abide by that,” said Patrick Elliott, the staff attorney who wrote the letter.

Hundreds of Dallas, North Carolina, residents gathered in front of the courthouse Saturday night to protest the removal by putting on a live nativity display.

“Christmas is not about snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees, lights-its about Christ,” said 12-year-old Coleman Montgomery.

In a similar case in Jay, Florida, a nativity scene was removed and sold as surplus property so it could be displayed on private property. The town decided not to pursue a legal case because it would reportedly cost over $100,000.

“The majority of folks have been very supportive in understanding that there is a reason we moved it from city hall to downtown,” said Jay Mayor Kurvin Qualls.

He added the move has actually made the display more visible in the community.

According to a recent Inquisitr article, some Christian groups have found a loophole to keep the displays.

Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent similar requests to cities across the country, including several in North Carolina.