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s Atheist Group's Complaint Backfires, Lands Nativity In Full Public View
cns news ^ | December 15, 2014 | Brittany M. Hughes

Posted on 12/19/2014 1:37:55 PM PST by Morgana

(CNSNews.com) -- When the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) went after a city council in Jay, Fla., for displaying a nativity set on public property, the atheist group might have won a battle, but seems to have lost the war.

The FFRF, known for protesting any and all religious displays in public places, sent a complaint letter recently to local officials in the 526-person city of Jay, arguing against the life-sized nativity that had been set up on the site every Christmas for nearly 40 years, the group said in a press release.

In a letter sent to the city’s mayor, FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel alleged, "It is unlawful for the town to maintain, erect, or host a holiday display that consists solely of a nativity scene, thus singling out, showing preference for, and endorsing one religion.” He added there are "ample private and church grounds where religious displays may be freely placed.”

In response to the group’s complaints, the city council declared the nativity set surplus property and sold it to the Santa Rosa County Ministerial Association, thus removing it from public property.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...


TOPICS: General Discusssion; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Skeptics/Seekers
KEYWORDS: andrewseidel; ffrf; flordia; florida; jay; nativity

1 posted on 12/19/2014 1:37:55 PM PST by Morgana
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To: Morgana

I’ll bet the FFRF would not have a problem with a live “Nude Nativity” or a live “Gay Nativity.”


2 posted on 12/19/2014 1:44:42 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: Vigilanteman

How about a nice little Muslim scene? I may be wrong, but I have NEVER heard of FFRF going after any type of Islamic breach, or perceived breach, of the First Amendment.


3 posted on 12/19/2014 1:52:48 PM PST by Arkansas Toothpick
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To: Arkansas Toothpick

This was no win. The headline is misleading, Jay did in fact cave in to their demands, it is exactly what they wanted. The Mayor should have told the FFRF no.


4 posted on 12/19/2014 1:56:57 PM PST by bluecollarman
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To: Morgana

This is what needs to be done EVERYWHERE. When these guys complain about an outside display, monument, nativity, cross, etc... just sell that tiny square of land smack bang in the middle of government property, to a ministry to maintain! Keep the religious icons effectively on public property, but is legally douchebag-proof!


5 posted on 12/19/2014 1:57:35 PM PST by Viennacon
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To: Morgana
What part of or prohibiting the free exercise thereof don't these bigots understand?
6 posted on 12/19/2014 2:01:13 PM PST by Arm_Bears (Rope. Tree. Politician. Some assembly required.)
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To: Morgana

FFRF only goes after Christian expressions of religion. They claim they have never heard of anyone complain of Islam encroachment into the public schools (what a crock).


7 posted on 12/19/2014 2:02:14 PM PST by Omniscient Certitude
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To: Arkansas Toothpick
That is because as Obama has said, Islam is the "religion of peace".
8 posted on 12/19/2014 2:02:38 PM PST by fireman15 (Check your facts before making ignorant statements.)
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To: Viennacon

Why should we have to do anything? Just because they complain? I don’t think so. Let them sue.


9 posted on 12/19/2014 2:02:51 PM PST by bluecollarman
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To: Morgana

The small town I am from had a Nativity Scene in a public park for years, some group complained and the village gave it to the church next to the park. Basically the display moved 20 feet west.


10 posted on 12/19/2014 2:05:02 PM PST by LukeL
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To: Morgana

Some of these localities ought to sue the FFRF for harassment and for emotional distress caused by their repeated lawsuit threats.


11 posted on 12/19/2014 2:06:35 PM PST by GenXteacher (You have chosen dishonor to avoid war; you shall have war also.)
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To: Morgana

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20 NKJV)


12 posted on 12/19/2014 2:30:32 PM PST by ifinnegan
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To: Morgana

These atheists are a bunch of eggheads. If you don’t believe in religion, then any symbols of it should be no more important to you than the rocks in the driveway and the grass on the lawn. If you’re that offended by merely seeing any religious symbol, than the problem is YOU.


13 posted on 12/19/2014 3:02:03 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Visualize whirled peas.)
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To: LukeL

In a town near here they used to have a series of lit up displays put up every Easter and Christmas on the life of Christ. Then someone complained and they were gone.

One person complains and 10,000 people no longer get to enjoy the displays. If you look across the stream and lake, you can still see the flat spots on the side of the hill where they were displayed.


14 posted on 12/19/2014 4:10:43 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Morgana

there is more than one way to skin a cat!!!


15 posted on 12/19/2014 4:20:02 PM PST by elpadre (AfganistaMr Obama said the goal was to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-hereQaeda" and its allies.)
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To: Morgana

**In response to the group’s complaints, the city council declared the nativity set surplus property and sold it to the Santa Rosa County Ministerial Association, thus removing it from public property.**

There’s more than one way to skin a cat!

God bless them


16 posted on 12/19/2014 5:45:34 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Morgana

Question: will the FFRF be protesting their local Muslim mosque with equal vigor as they did with the Christian nativity scene? Crickets chirping.


17 posted on 12/19/2014 5:53:13 PM PST by MasterGunner01
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To: fireman15

Although that has “backfired” in his face, thanks in part to this group called “ISIS”.


18 posted on 12/20/2014 6:13:56 AM PST by Biggirl (2014 MIdterms Were BOTH A Giant Wave And Restraining Order)
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To: ifinnegan

Genesis 50:20New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

20 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.


19 posted on 12/20/2014 6:18:37 AM PST by Biggirl (2014 MIdterms Were BOTH A Giant Wave And Restraining Order)
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