A story with a bit of regional flair.
What some individuals involved in this incident don't seem to understand in regards to this issue is, by allowing their nativity scene to be displayed that opens the door for other groups having the same rights as them. (Think Oklahoma people!!) Another display can not be rejected because of its different religious viewpoint. What Judge Mason is doing is trying to prevent the County from having to pay thousands of dollars, if not millions, in lawsuit fees. Although Mason has erred in this assessment, "Mason, in returning the decoration to the commissioners, said he was leaving it up to them to “exercise discretion (in replacing the nativity scene) and respect their choice as long as it’s in a non-court related space.” Having the nativity on ANY government property could be construed as a violation of the the constitutional separation of church and state.
An Elk County judge has removed a nativity scene from the county courthouse, citing concern with the religious symbol’s potential to inspire legal action against the county.
Elk County President Judge Richard A. Masson said while he removed the wood-box nativity set from the county courthouse in Ridgway on Monday, he has not barred the item and would allow for it to be replaced in any “non-court related space.”
Until Monday, the miniature manger set sat beneath a Christmas tree outside the sheriff’s office along a main corridor of the courthouse. It had been placed there along with other decorations by county maintenance staff within the last month. While the Christmas tree remained on Tuesday, the manger was gone, removed by the judge’s office and hand-delivered by Masson back to the county commissioners’ office space in an adjacent county-owned building.
Elk County Commissioner Dan Freeburg said the decision to remove the nativity scene was made despite the protests of county workers and local elected officials like himself.
“We were told to remove the nativity scene. We objected immediately and don’t feel it’s the jurisdiction of the court,” Freeburg said, arguing the diorama depicting the birth of Jesus Christ is reflective of the county’s overwhelmingly Christian population, estimated by Freeburg at as high as 99 percent of residents.
Nativity scene removed by Elk County judge - The Bradford Era: News - Nativity scene removed by Elk County judge: News
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