GOOD FOR HER – AT 12:32 P.M. ET:   Sometimes passion and hard work win.  From the Conservative Tribune: 

When atheists managed to get a Nativity scene banned from the lawn of the Baxter County Courthouse in Arkansas, they probably thought they had struck a blow for secularity.

Instead, one year later, the area now has 61 Nativity scenes on lawns instead of just one. And it’s all thanks to 81-year-old Sue Chrisco.

According to USA Today, Judge Timothy L. Brooks ruled in November of 2015 that the Nativity scene violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment. A suit against the display had been filed by the American Humanist Association and resident Dessa Blackthorn, who had been denied permission to put a sign saying “Happy Winter Solstice” on the lawn of the courthouse. (What, no Flying Spaghetti Monster? I’m disappointed.)

COMMENT:  These disputes often arise from misunderstandings of the Constitution.  The First Amendment does not bar Nativity scenes or other religious displays from public property as long as no preference is shown for a particular religion.  The First Amendment bars establishment of religion, not religion. 

The First Amendment reads:  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

December 25, 2016