Fox 16 News reports that Bradley County officials have opted not to place their traditional Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn after receiving letters from the ACLU.
In a written statement, Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney indicated that the county opted not to display the Nativity Scene on public property in part because officials in Mountain Home lost a lawsuit over a Nativity Scene in 2015.
However, it’s worth pointing out that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Nativity scenes on public property constitutional in the past.
In Lynch v. Donnelly the court ruled a Nativity scene on city property did not violate the Establishment Clause.
Christmas is a federal holiday, and Americans have celebrated it since before the American Revolution.
Contrary to the claims of the ACLU and others, local governments can celebrate Christmas — including by placing Nativity scenes and similar decorations on public property.
Updated at 4:00 PM on 12/3/2019:
KATV now reports that the Nativity scene will be displayed at a church down the street from the courthouse.
Photo Credit: KLRT Fox 16 News via website.
