The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Charleston Firehouse Ordered to Remove Nativity Scene
CHARLESTON, S.C. - A fire department in South Carolina has removed a nativity display from a station after getting a complaint.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Monday that the nativity scene was removed from Charleston's Fire Station 12 after the complaint that the display supports Christianity.
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter dated Dec. 17 to Mayor Joe Riley and Fire Chief Thomas Carr asking that the display be removed. The letter says a local resident complained.
The complaint was referred to the city's legal department, which recommended the scene be removed, citing U.S. Supreme Court rulings against promoting one religion over another.
A number of Charleston fire stations have Christmas decorations, but those include Santa Claus and holiday lights.
___
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Monday that the nativity scene was removed from Charleston's Fire Station 12 after the complaint that the display supports Christianity.
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter dated Dec. 17 to Mayor Joe Riley and Fire Chief Thomas Carr asking that the display be removed. The letter says a local resident complained.
The complaint was referred to the city's legal department, which recommended the scene be removed, citing U.S. Supreme Court rulings against promoting one religion over another.
A number of Charleston fire stations have Christmas decorations, but those include Santa Claus and holiday lights.
___
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Dudan on
-
In an effort not spark a debate like in the Merry Christmas sign thread, here goes...
The nativity is a common Holiday decoration and re-enactment for Christians. However, the birth of Jesus Christ was not just a Religious happening; it is historical fact. To any that may disagree, head on down to your local college, institution, or learning facility and enroll into a Western Civilization course similar to the one I recently completed. Sit down, pay attention, and take notes because there will be a test. To anyone listening of the Muslim or Jewish or other Faith you may be suprised to find out that the start and formation of these religions is also History. So in this Holiday Season (or not) if someone is celebrating differently than you (or not celebrating at all), maybe it is not religion at all, it could just be history.
I say keep the History.
-
Permalink Reply by Jim Creech on
-
It's no wonder why this country is is going down the crapper. When is the Supreme Court gonna tell us that we can't wear Red on Fridays to support our troops, etc?
-
Permalink Reply by Beverly on
-
It's enough, I'm tired of all the anti-Judeo-Catholic sentiment in this country. If the fire house was displaying muslim or kwanza decorations and someone complained about those the response would be that we are to be tolerant of all religions and beliefs...than you know what, be tolerant of the religious beliefs that founded this country...OR GET OUT. Enough is enough already, this is the time of year we celebrate the birth of JESUS CHRIST, son of GOD, therefore a creche is absolutely the symbol of the season and it has every right to be up. If we have to secretly celebrate our religious beliefs, whatsoever they may be, then we are thrown centuries into the past where freedom to practice was a potential death sentence if your belief was not that of the "powers" religion.
I will continue to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone I meet, unless I know you celebrate something else, then I will wish you a Merry Christmas and whatever Holiday greeting accompanies your belief.
So...MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, May God keep you and your family safe, whatever you believe.
-
-
Nice post Mr. Dudan
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
Paul, there are some sources that mention jesus and so it could be deduced that he was in fact real. Beyond that it is all conjecture. To presume that no one else knows that islam, judaism and christianity are factually based is a bit condescending.
Beyond any historical relevance the religions are in fact, religions and the 'celebration' of them are solely religious in nature as opposed to an historical celebration. In saying "keep the history" really what you are disingenuously saying is 'keep the religion'. Let's at least call a spade a spade and not try to hide behind some artificial construct of historical basis.
-
-
Jim,
Despite your wildest imagination the supreme court is not going to rule on that. It is allowed as part of your freedom of expression. Unless some employment issue prevents you from doing so. Moreover you are welcomed and encouraged to celebrate and decorate as much or as little as you choose, on/in your home, person and vehicle. No one really cares and you are protected to do so.
-
-
Beverly,
If the firehouse was displaying the jewish and islamic equivalents as well as kwanza displays then most likely it wouldn't be an issue. Then again the display was on government property and if you read the article you would know the ruling that this was based on.
As I told the others, everyone is protected and welcome to display whatever they want, it just needs to be on private property. Religious displays on public property, especially when limited to only one religious viewpoint constitutes a governmental endorsement. That is why the firehouse was ordered to remove the display.
I strongly suspect that, even if allowed to display the creche at christmas (or other religious items), should a muslim mosque later request to have a display in the same location for ramadan or some other significant muslim holiday I would not be surprised if there were a huge outcry as a result. After all, al quaeda is islamic and small minds are not able to distinguish between them and the majority of islam, which is peaceful.
Also, you may believe that christmas celebrates the birth of jesus, and you may believe that he is the son of god, but failing any proof it is only your belief and while you are free to express those beliefs, governments are not. Which is why, again, the creche is not allowed on government property. It really is very simple for anyone with an open enough mind to comprehend.
Happy (late) Divali, Happy Festivus and all praise to the Great Flying Spaghetti Monster (as real as any other divinity).
-
Permalink Reply by Zeke Harman on
-
That is crazy!
-
Permalink Reply by Erin T. on
-
I am a christian myself and I find it aggravating to have my faith assaulted, yet others are allowed the rights to freedom of expression. Station 12, call the alliance defense fund and sue the city. That is a direct assault on your first amendment rights and if those who chose to open their big mouth want a challenge, they can show up in court.
Erin
-
Permalink Reply by Howard on
-
The Christian & the church has killed anything and anyone that didn’t agree with them ever since it was made up it’s about time someone stops them live with it
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
If the fire house was displaying muslim or kwanza decorations and someone complained about those the response would be that we are to be tolerant of all religions and beliefs...than you know what, be tolerant of the religious beliefs that founded this country...OR GET OUT.
Quite interesting that a person who claims to be a Chaplain will have such views towards other organized religions.
this is the time of year we celebrate the birth of JESUS CHRIST, son of GOD, therefore a creche is absolutely the symbol of the season and it has every right to be up.
It is also the time of year for Hannakah, Kwanza, not to mention the pagan beliefs of the winter solstice of which much symbology so commonly used in Christian religion is also used, such as the Christmas tree.
If we have to secretly celebrate our religious beliefs, whatsoever they may be, then we are thrown centuries into the past where freedom to practice was a potential death sentence if your belief was not that of the "powers" religion.
Who says you have to practice your religion secretly?? You can do whatever you want, you can display countless Nativity scenes in your yard, you can go up and down the street praising God....and nobody is going to stop you. Where is it that you are practicing your religion in secret? Are the churches not clearly marked for the denomination? Do you have to have a secret knock and handshake to get into the church to practice? Absolutely not, don't be so niave.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
