Iowa town is forced to incorporate Santa into nativity scene after out-of-state atheist group claimed original display was ‘unnecessary and inappropriate’ and demanded it was removed, breaking 15-year tradition
Santa Claus and his reindeer saved Christmas for an Iowa fire station after their nativity scene was removed following complaints that the display violated the U.S. Constitution.
The picturesque nativity scene in the central Iowa city of Toledo has been put up year after year for the past 15 holiday seasons, but last week it had to be taken down and moved to a retired firefighter's nearby lawn after a complaint was received from an atheist. group based in Wisconsin.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation expressed concern that the Christian depiction at the public fire station violated the First Amendment's ban on government agencies favoring one religion over another.
The letter argued that the display violated laws requiring the separation of church and state.
But the city has now found a solution that suddenly makes the exhibit legal – simply by adding Santa and his sleigh.
A nativity scene outside the Toledo Fire Department in Iowa was removed last week after out-of-state atheists complained about the display
The exhibit has since returned with the addition of Santa Claus after the city received a complaint from the group
“We write to request that the city remove this nativity scene from public property out of respect for the First Amendment and the diversity of the Toledo community,” the FFRF group wrote.
FFRF says they are “a national nonprofit organization with more than 40,000 members, including members in Iowa.”
“Our purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to inform the public on matters related to non-theism,” the group explained in a lengthy letter to the council.
'We received a report that a nativity scene had been set up for the Toledo Fire Department. It is our understanding that the department yard is public land owned by the City of Toledo.
“We write to request that the city remove this nativity scene from public property out of respect for the First Amendment and the diversity of the Toledo community,” the letter continued.
The nativity scene has been in front of the fire station during the holidays for the past 15 years, but the display was removed after the city received a complaint
The US Supreme Court has ruled that religious displays are allowed on government property, but only if they also include secular displays
“The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from showing favoritism toward religion.”
In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that manger scenes are permitted on government property, depending on the context of the Christmas season displays and whether they have a secular purpose.
'Nativity scenes on public land are unnecessary, inappropriate and sow division. There is no denying that the nativity scene is a religious, Christian symbol. The best solution is to remove this nativity scene and stop organizing religious displays on public property altogether,” the atheist group suggested.
“Furthermore, this nativity unnecessarily excludes community members who are among the nearly 30 percent of adult Americans who have no religious affiliation, as well as the additional six percent of Americans who adhere to a non-Christian faith.”
The group even boldly suggested that the fire department's “favoritism” toward the Christian faith might even prevent someone in need from calling them.
'Citizens often have contact with the fire brigade during the most frightening and vulnerable moments of their lives. The city must ensure that fire departments do not organize demonstrations that alienate community members who do not share a particular faith or belief.”
The display is now 'conform' with the addition of the secular images of Santa Claus and reindeer
The display is located on what is called “government property,” right outside the Toledo Fire Department
By adding a secular holiday symbol in the form of Santa Claus and his reindeer to the scene, the exhibit now becomes constitutional and can legally stand on government property
At a City Council meeting on Monday, 75 fans of the decade-and-a-half-long nativity tradition showed up and suggested that the Toledo Fire Department should simply add a Santa Claus figure to restore the display while bringing it up to code. held on public property.
The city confirmed that the nativity scene, plus Santa Claus, indeed met the requirements and is now back at the station.
By adding a secular holiday symbol in the form of Santa Claus and his reindeer to the scene, the exhibit now becomes constitutional and can legally sit on government property.
Locals on social media were shocked that the fire brigade gave in to the demands so quickly.
In a letter, the Freedom From Religion Foundation expressed concern that the Christian image at the public fire station violated the First Amendment's ban on government agencies favoring one religion over others.
'It's a shame that the fire brigade was so intimidated by a faction that probably doesn't even live there and who, as the gentleman said, are just looking for a fight, something to pick up. Well, it works both ways, as far as lawsuits go,” Mafrugal wrote.
“Keep the nativity… Christians have rights too,” another urged.
'Pretty sad when someone is offended by a nativity scene. Many more people want the screen to stay where it is. The 'offended' party will survive and be offended by something else next week…' said one online user.
'The Nativity is not a religion, it is a FACT! Santa Claus is a cartoon, as shown there in clear comparison,” another explained.
Eastern Iowa Atheists founder Justin Scott said he is pleased with the decision, even if it is not historically accurate.
“I don't believe the city of Toledo has any bad intentions,” Scott told the Des Moines station. KCCI.
“I think it was just something nice, it was a nice gesture from a nice family. They put it up and no one noticed that it was actually a constitutional violation.”