The Freedom From Religion Foundation is – ironically – teaming up with a so-called religious organization, The Satanic Temple, to end the practice of putting a Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn at Christmastime.
Administrators of the Franklin County, Indiana courthouse featured a Nativity display on the lawn, and when the Satanists sought to have their own display, they were denied, according to the Indy Star.
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit on behalf of FFRF and the Satanists, claiming the denial was a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
The county says the groups’ denials were due to the fact that they weren’t county residents, not the content.
FFRF is based in Madison, Wisconsin and The Satanic Temple is based in Hell Massachusetts.
The ACLU filed a separate suit in December over the 50-year-old tradition.
“Any reasonable person viewing this display would conclude that its principal effect is to advance religion,” Gavin Rose, ACLU of Indiana senior staff attorney, said in a news release.
“The First Amendment protects these kinds of displays by individuals and groups on private property but also makes clear that displays on public property, which is maintained by taxpayers, cannot demonstrate a preference for religion.”
County Commissioner Scott McDonough says the FFRF’s demands aren’t the solution, either.
“To have public policy saying no religious displays are allowed on public property is to endorse atheism and hostility toward all other religions,” according to McDonough.
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