Written by Don Byrd
The Texas State Preservation Board earlier this week ordered the removal of a display at the State Capitol placed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to the Board complaining about FFRF’s display, which parodies the traditional depiction of Jesus’ manger birth by placing the Bill of Rights in a crib watched over by Founding Fathers and the Statute of Liberty. Governor Abbott argued the display mocked religion in violation of regulations.
KVUE reports:
Abbott complained in his letter to the Preservation Board that the “exhibit places the Bill of Rights in a manger and shows three founding fathers and the Statue of Liberty worshiping one of America’s founding documents as a replacement for Jesus Christ. This juvenile parody violates the Preservation Board’s regulations and should be removed immediately.”
Abbott furthered that the exhibit “deliberately mocks Christians and Christianity. The Biblical scene of the newly born Jesus Christ lying in a manger in Bethlehem lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. Subjecting an image held sacred by millions of Texans to the Foundation’s tasteless sarcasm does nothing to promote morals and the general welfare.”
The Baptist Joint Committee’s Brent Walker recently recorded a podcast on the legal issues surrounding holiday displays and other “Christmas craziness.” You can listen to or download it here.
For other religious liberty perspective and information related to the holidays, see earlier columns by Brent below:
2012: Modeling the virtues of Christmas
2009: The advent of Christmas craziness
2005: Respecting religious diversity during the holiday season
See news stories and recent blog posts on the topic of holiday displays here.
