For eight years, the American Nativity Scene has provided more than 400 nativity scenes for display at capitols, public buildings and parks. An anonymous donor funds the crèches, and local groups provide a manger and straw, and work with staff at the government venues to obtain permits.

The 36 states that been approved this year to display the nativity scenes in state capitols include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Four additional states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Vermont and Wyoming, are currently pending approvals.

Liberty Counsel launched its 19th annual Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign designed to educate and, when necessary, litigate to ensure that religious viewpoints are not censored from Christmas and holiday themes. Liberty Counsel monitors cases each year across the country where there is intimidation by officials and groups to remove the celebration of Christmas in public and private sectors. Liberty Counsel also provides a memorandum to offer guidance regarding the public celebration of religious holidays.

Last February, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a nativity scene displayed annually at the Jackson County Courthouse in Brownstown, Indiana. Liberty Counsel represented Jackson County. The 7th Circuit ruled that the nativity scene is constitutional under the Supreme Court's recent decision in American Legion v. American Humanist Association, which upheld the Peace Cross in Maryland. The 7th Circuit wrote, "Applying American Legion, we conclude that the County's Nativity scene is constitutional because it fits within a long national tradition of using the Nativity scene in broader holiday displays to celebrate the origins of Christmas—a public holiday."

In April, a federal district court judge dismissed the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana case against Fulton County's constitutional right to display its annual nativity scene on the courthouse lawn in Rochester, Indiana. Liberty Counsel represented Fulton County, and the court also required the ACLU to reimburse Liberty Counsel for court costs.

Liberty Counsel Founder and chairman Mat Staver said, "The First Amendment prohibits censorship based on religious viewpoint. Nativity scenes on public property are constitutional. Most people enjoy the celebration of Christmas. No reasonable person would think the government is establishing a religion by merely displaying a nativity scene during the holiday season." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

For the original article, visit our content partners at lc.org.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

America 250: Freedom Trucks Travel across US Celebrating American History

Lowest Gas Prices Are in States with Republican Governors, Legislatures: Report

MLB's Texas Rangers Shun 'Pride Night,' Host 'Faith and Family Night' Instead

Resolution to Preserve Daughters of the American Revolution for Women Only Is Defeated

Texas Institutes Bible Passages into Its Public School Reading List

US, Iran Skirmish Following Tehran's Ceasefire Violations; Israel, Lebanon Sign 'Historic Accomplishment'

Supreme Court Deals Massive Blow to the Deep State, Reversing 90-Year Precedent in Humphrey's Executor

Justice Alito Torches SCOTUS Ruling in Mail-in Ballot Case, Warns of Voter Fraud

SCOTUS Rules 5-4 to Permit Counting of Mail-In Ballots that Arrive AFTER Election Day

Breitbart's AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK: Firebrand Mary Kutter's Poignant Birthday Tribute; 'Through All the Hell and Glory Days You Stand Here With Amazing Grace'

America's Semiquincentennial Begins: Trump Launches Massive National Mall Expo

Woman Removed from Detroit Tigers Game for Wearing 'Jesus Over Pride' Shirt

Netherlands Does the Unthinkable: Euthanize a Young Child

European Country Moves to Ban Islamic Call to Prayer (Video)

Charlie Kirk Judge Denies Tyler Robinson's Attempt to Have Potential Death Penalty Removed

The Reflecting Pool Vandalism Trump Wasn't Supposed to Be Right About

'I Think It Was God': Ex-Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejia Narrowly Escapes Death as Venezuela Earthquake Strikes Hotel

Venezuelans Comb Quake Rubble in Search for Survivors: 'There Are Still People Alive in There'

The Undercroft: The New Museum Located Underneath the Lincoln Memorial Opens in Time for America's 250th Birthday (Video)

Samaritan's Purse Sending Help to Venezuela after Devastating Earthquakes