There's a manger scene

[justgamma]

in the front window of our city hall. I thought this was illegal.

I just found it odd.

[Deja Q]

1. Get some real live goats and let them eat the hay.

Goats were in the real manger, though as I doubt any of the originals still exist, it'd be easier to find some of their descendents...

[bones_7672]

2. Not illegal at all.

They can be part of a display with other holiday decorations, or they can be paid for by private donations. Nothing illegal about it at all, after all, it is Christmas time.

[nostamj]

6. this is largely a *local* issue

some communities do NOT allow them on 'public' land, others do.

[bones_7672]

12. If there is any kind of display

and a private group wants to fund a manger display the local gov't has to allow it.

[DustMolecule]

14. Really? A private group can fund a display on public property?

Like if I wanted to advertise my insurance company (just an example) on the lawn of my city hall, they would have to allow it????

[seabeyond]

3. this is the part i dont like. leave the mangers alone

and the jewish representative of their holiday alone, and all that have no faith, just enjoy the joy, and if you cant enjoy the joy, then be a hum bug.

someone isnt going to want us to put up lites somewhere along the way. leave it alone

imho...........lol lol lol

[Cobalt Violet]

8. So what should a Satanist do?

Not that I am one.

[havocmom]

4. ask if you can add a few things to it

menorah
creasant moon
statue of Isis
pentagram
kachinas
you know, the usual stuff ;)

[DustMolecule]

5. So many other real big problems to think about

I agree with some of the other posters, enjoy if you like...ignore it, if you don't. It really doesn't do any harm. There are far greater issues out there that cause REAL harm to our society.

[SmokingJacket]

9. You're right that it doesn't do any harm per se, but...

I object to the constant nibbling away at the separation of church and state.

Frankly, if my town hall had a manger scene, I'd probably ignore it, because I have a full life as is.

But I'm not sure we should get complacent about it. The separation of church and state is there for the good of religion as much as for the good of government.

2-cents

[justgamma]

11. That's what bothers me.

I consider myself a Christian. I believe in Jesus. So why did this make me do a double-take? I feel the same way I do when I drive by a store that has a sign in the window saying "God Bless America"

I used to be proud of these displays in public. Now I'm just suspicious of them. I resent the fact that the fundies are making me feel this way.

[DustMolecule]

13. I agree, it really shouldn't be there (in the window of city hall)...

...or around city hall at all. And I agree with what you said so well, that "The separation of church and state is there for the good of religion as much as for the good of government. I suppose I responded too quickly to this post.

I hope the original poster will send some sort of letter to his town so that they can 're-think' the city policy for next year. Maybe something like, what does not belong?:

Manger scene in front of church in town (Yeah!)

Manger scene in front of private home in town (Yeah!)

Manger scene in front of city hall (does not belong here - Boo!)

[Philostopher]

7. My guess is it would only be a problem ...

if someone of a non-Christian religion that had a winter holiday asked to have its tradition represented and was refused. Otherwise, it's usually not an issue -- as long as they haven't refused a menorah or something.

[DireStrike]

10. Yeah, I agree w/posters on requesting other religious displays

Should you, of course, feel like doing anything at all.