Governor's defense of nativity scenes challenged

[The Straight Story]

Governor's defense of nativity scenes challenged

By JULIE CARR SMYTH
AP Statehouse Correspondent
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Gov. Ted Strickland's decision to allow nativity displays in state parks has drawn the ire of a group that opposes mingling church and state, which has asked the state's chief watchdog to investigate whether his action was constitutional.

The Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation accuses Strickland of violating his oath of office to uphold the Constitutions of Ohio and the United States by allowing the religious displays.

"Once the governor of Ohio enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for one religion over others, he strikes a blow at religious liberty by forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular expression of worship," wrote Annie Laurie Gaylor, foundation co-president, in a Friday letter to Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles.

Shawnee State Park in Scioto County in southern Ohio and Malabar Farm in Richland County in north-central Ohio had taken down manger scenes, depicting the birth of Christ in a stable, following a complaint. Strickland, an ordained Methodist minister, instructed the parks to resurrect them.

A Shawnee visitor had argued that large figures representing the Hindu and Zoroastrian religions should be displayed, too.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OH_NATIVITIES_PARKS_OHOL-?SITE=WBNSTV&SECTION=HOME

[msongs]

1. for the three religious wise men they could hire Obama, Huckabee, and Romney

arrange them in a tableau from left to right, or maybe from left to far right.

Msongs

[spanone]

2. put some pagan rituals right beside it for fairness

[Bitwit1234]

3. I don't believe that religion should be forced on us in public places but

I think that since Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, and the nativity protrays that, what's the harm. Even if you don't believe in Jesus, the scenes are nice.

[OHdem10]

4. Fighting over Traditions is mindless. I have no problem

when people put up strong and substantive arguments for
Separation of Church and State. Most likely I am with them.

This has bugged me for a long long time, so I am sputtering
or blurting it out.

Christmas has been here eons and eons. The GREAT MAJORITY
of AMERICANS Celebrate Christmas. Creches, Nativity Scenes
are as much a part of America as apple pie. Groups which
get up in arms over the Celebration of Christmas , fairly
or unfairly, are labeled Democrats. Likewise these groups hurt
the Democratic Party ,creating the appearance of a Godless
Democratic Party. The reality is about 90% of Americans call
themselves some kind of Christian.

What I am speaking of here, are simple Traditions. Having Nativity
Scenes, Jewish Traditional Symbols hurt no one. It might be
annoying, but it does not hurt anyone. For the greater majority
of Americans it brings a sense of joy. To create fights over
such simple acts is a waste of time. It only creates resentments.

My point is those for Separation of Church and State could have so much
more impact if they went after serious instances which threaten
this important belief--the Separation of Church and State.

Let each person celebrate or not celebrate Christmas as they choose.
Attacking long held Traditions, creates more harm than good to
the Democratic Party. Attacking all these traditions, makes
Separation of Church and State seem frivolous. History is History.

A firm believer in Separation of Church and State.