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Nativity Scene On Display At Florida Capitol
December 4, 2013
For the first time in modern Florida history, a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ will be on display in the state Capitol throughout December. Religious leaders and schoolchildren prayed and sang Christmas carols at the unveiling on the first floor of the Capitol rotunda Tuesday.
Event organizer Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, said the display does not reflect a state-sponsored religion, since it was funded with private money. She also noted a Jewish menorah about 20 feet away.
“Freedom doesn’t mean just freedom for me as a Christian, or freedom for Jewish people as Jews, or any other groups,” Olsen said. “It’s freedom for all. Isn’t that what’s awesome about America?”
But Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said no religious symbols, including a menorah, should be displayed in government buildings.
“And I’m not sure the people who manage the state Capitol fully appreciate the door that they have opened,” he said. “They’re not going to be able to say ‘no’ to the group that they don’t favor and ‘yes’ to today’s group that they obviously do favor.”
Olsen said a nativity scene is also on display in the Illinois Capitol this year, and that her group hopes to expand to more capitals next Christmas season.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: A Christian nativity scene is displayed in the first floor rotunda of the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. Photo by Tom Urban, NSF, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “Nativity Scene On Display At Florida Capitol”
Put 2 up!!
Thanks to those who LOVE our Savior JESUS.
@429SCJ not all the Jews hated Christ many in fact followed him because he met their needs from feeding them to healing them, and of those that followed him did not understand they were walking with God that’s right walking with God. The ones that hated him most were the religious leaders of the day that would be the Scribes and Pharisees.But unfortunately a monument will not help our country at this point but only repentance.
@fre421:
You make a great point. I think the problem that most people have with the groups that you have listed, is that they do not represent peace, love, or kindness to all. Most of the complaints stem from the hatred and evil doings that has been linked to each of your opposing groups. I do realize there are even so called “Christian groups,” like the Westboro Baptist Church, that represent hatred and do awful things in the name of Jesus, but most of the Christians that I know are very loving and caring and would not hurt or offend anyone in the name of their God.
Glory to God! Merry Christmas
It is not about hate for Christ or Christianity. But don’t start complaining when other groups display their religious symbols, even if that is Islam, Paganism, Atheism, Wiccan, Vampirism, House of Satan….or whatever else others worship. Are you ready for that?
History repeats itself, Christians will and are being persecuted today. There will also be a great falling away from Christ before his return.
You better get right!
It is about time someone realized that freedom means we all get to practice our religious beliefs or not practice anything. It is not the right of a few to say NO to a religious symbol.
Last year this time it was decided there is NO room for Jesus on the front lawn of the Town of Century City Hall, now this year it has been decided there is NO room for the manger animals in the Town of Century either!
Hmmmmmmm, just a thought
It was /is all in His plan. He came to die.
I could never understand why Christ own people hated him 2000+ years ago and still despise him even to this day?