It's Okay This Time to Put Jesus on the Shelf
by Allie Martin
December 9, 2005
(AgapePress) - - Officials with the Memphis Public Library system have agreed to allow figures representing baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the wise men back into a Nativity scene on the library's community shelves. The Nativity scene is part of a local church's Christmas show and announcement. Officials with the Bartlett Public Library, however, had informed members of Broadmoor Memphis Church that "inappropriate" figures in the crèche -- specifically, those of the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the three magi -- could not be displayed on the shelves, which are used to announce upcoming local events.
But the Alliance Defense Fund, which works regularly with individuals and communities in turmoil regarding public religious expression, sent a letter to library officials outlining the free-speech issues involved. ADF counsel Mike Johnson says the case is a sign of the times.
"It truly is ridiculous that we even have to discuss whether a Nativity scene -- the full scene -- can be displayed during Christmastime," Johnson remarks. "It truly is a sad day in America when you have to retain an attorney just to wish some a Merry Christmas."
But thanks to the efforts of groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and "other radical secularist organizations," says the attorney, "that's exactly where we've come."
And while such cases are common, he adds, often it does not require court litigation to fix the problem. "Most of these cases, happily, are resolved on a simple information letter," Johnson says. "When we are able to inform public officials of their misinterpretation of the law, thanks to the ACLU, they usually change course and do the right thing."
ADF-affiliated attorneys have contacted more than 10,000 school districts nationwide this year to inform them of constitutional guidelines regarding religious expression at Christmas. Johnson says ADF will monitor the situation to ensure there is not an unconstitutional policy in place at the public libraries in Memphis.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
