After learning about a non-traditional nativity scene displayed in the Texas capitol building, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered it summarily removed, calling it a “juvenile parody.”
Now the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the atheist group that set the display up, is crying foul and considering its legal options, according to The Texas Tribune.
The display, featuring cardboard cutouts of founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, along with the Statue of Liberty, worshiping the Bill of Rights — the first Ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution — rather than the Christ child.
Abbott, a Republican who served as Texas attorney general before moving into the executive office, tweeted:
Mocking the Capitol Nativity Scene is Offensive. I Demand Removal of Satirical ‘Nativity Scene’ from Capitol #tcot https://t.co/Y4ZvN1Q6Iq
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 22, 2015
The State Preservation Board, which had days earlier approved the display, promptly removed it after getting Abbott’s letter in which he referred to the U.S. Constitution..
“The Constitution does not require Texas to allow displays in its Capitol that violate general standards of decency and intentionally disrespect the beliefs and values of many of our fellow Texans,” Abbott wrote.
The display is offensive, doesn’t serve a public purpose and doesn’t educate anyone, he wrote.
“Far from promoting morals and the general welfare, the exhibit deliberately mocks Christians and Christianity.”
The Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit Freedom From Religion Foundation was quick to fire back.
“Governor Abbott, as a former attorney general, should be well aware that the government cannot censor any display based on his viewpoint,” Sam Grover, staff attorney for the foundation said, according to Fox 7 News Austin.
“That’s exactly what he’s done here. He’s personally offended that atheists exist and that we want an equal opportunity to express our viewpoint in the Capitol, so he censored our display. It’s illegal and inappropriate.”
The group is reviewing its legal options.
Watch the video via Fox 7 Austin.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- ‘Act like a grownup’: Drunk driver sobs when she loses plea deal by coming 4 hours late to court - July 23, 2017
- ‘I would’ve fired her the day I met her’: Glenn Beck reveals more about Tomi Lahren mess - July 23, 2017
- Canadian thug beats 74-year-old cyclist bloody with a club in road rage fit– and they say US is more violent? - July 23, 2017
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
