Long-Running Nativity in Delaware Banned after Nearly a Century of History

Steve Warren : Dec 18, 2019
Faithwire.com

"It is a blatant violation of the First Amendment to ban religious displays from public property. We hope the city officials are simply misinformed about the law. We encourage them to follow the law and allow the Knights and the people of this town to continue the beloved tradition of a crèche as one of the holiday displays at the Bandstand circle." -Roger Byron, senior counsel for First Liberty Institute

[Faithwire.com] It's been a tradition in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for nine decades. A nativity on the town circle. (Image: via NBC Philadelphia)

But not anymore.

A church tried to renew the local tradition of displaying a nativity scene last year and asked the city for permission.

Understanding they had permission, Saint Edmond Church, supported by the Star of the Sea Council 7297 (the Rehoboth Beach Council of the Knights of Columbus), put the nativity scene back.

It was just one of many holiday displays that are placed on the site every year, including a Christmas tree, holiday lights, and light displays, and a large Santa's House on the Boardwalk erected, owned and displayed by the local Chamber of Commerce.

But one day after the display went up, the city called and ordered the nativity scene removed, saying the religious display could not be on public property... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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