UPDATE::Ohio town threatens legal action against ‘zombie’ baby Jesus Nativity scene on man’s lawn

For the sake of argument, let's assume that like this incident from 2011, it is strictly a zoning issue. So what Dixon needs to do, find another home (or homes) that has a traditional nativity set up the same size to prove his point. Let's see how fast the town council acts then.

But just days after WXIX spoke to Dixon, Sycamore Township township ordered him to take it down or face legal action. Town officials claimed that Dixon was breaking the rules with a structure on the front side of his yard, and a display that took up more than 35 percent of the area.

But Dixon said that he wasn’t buying the explanation.

According to this article it is a zoning issue, but a neighbor has also stated this, "'He's got the same fixture up that he had for Halloween,' he said. The only difference now is it's a manger scene."  Also of note, Bickford, mentioned that the 35% rule also applies to structures such as a garden shed.  That is a "permanent" structure not a temporary, like a nativity scene.

What is striking to me is that this is also a fine example of what it would be like under a theocratic form of government, because his Nativity scene doesn’t conform with what religionists believe, they want to force him to take the display down or find a way to punish him.  This is a government entity trying to prevent thinking and beliefs contrary to the assumed majority.

Just wondering where the zoning board was in October,,,

Ohio town threatens legal action against ‘zombie’ baby Jesus Nativity scene on man’s lawn

PS::Isn't a zombie Jesus the entire basis of the Christian religion?

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:54 (KJV)

UPDATED to add:

Well, with everything he’s learned this year, Dixon wants to make next year’s Nativity scene bigger and bigger — and perfectly compliant with the law. To that end, he’s started an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for the project:

“I want to make a better zombie nativity scene for everyone to see next year and [raise] funds to pay the township citations for having the structure,” he says…
He’s hoping to bring in $5,000 for bigger and better fake corpses and accessories. (Perhaps undead barn animals are in the works?)

This can only end well. And we’ll be able to see the best photos ever. Chip in if this is up your alley.

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/12/29/ohio-resident-plans-to-make-next-years-zombie-nativity-scene-even-more-of-a-spectacle/#ixzz3NbliWXDC

Nativity scene removed by Elk County judge - The Bradford Era: News - Nativity scene removed by Elk County judge: News

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