In 2015, the city government officials were forced to remove a Nativity Scene that had been a tradition for over 40 years in the small north central town of Wadena, Minnesota. The reason? The Freedom From Religion Foundation, an atheist group that hates all forms of religion, threatened to sue the town. Wadena with its population of under 5000 souls, could little afford a court battle.
What happened next was quite remarkable.
It seems the law indicates that religious scenes may not be displayed on public property. However, they are perfectly acceptable on private property.
The City sold the offending Manger Scene to the local Catholic Church for mere pennies on the dollar who then displayed it on their property.
The shop owners displayed Nativity Scenes in their shop windows. Some did decorative painted Nativity Scenes on their store windows.
The good citizens of Wadena set out Manger Scenes on their front lawns.
Word got out and other good folks drove hundreds of miles to this little town to donate Nativity Scenes to be displayed.
By the time all was said and done, there were at least 1,000 Nativity Scenes displayed throughout the town.
Take that, atheists!!
May the Spirit of one small town in Minnesota be an example to the rest of us to stand up and be counted for our beliefs.
This is me...Wishing each and every one of you a very Merry and most importantly, a Blessed Christmas.
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Love it! Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteOne Family...Me, too! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
DeleteThat was a perfect response.
ReplyDeleteDid any atheists move out of Wadena as a result?
Jennifer...I don't know if any of them actually lived in Wadena. They mostly go around being perpetually offended at anything in the public view that might be of a religious nature. I loved the response, too! Merry Christmas!!
DeleteI wonder if any of them have spent time in a foxhole? Many Blessings for all of you this Christmas. Red
ReplyDeleteRed...If any of them had spent time in a foxhole and survived, they would most certainly have had at least one 'come to Jesus' moment - literally.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours.
Good for the town of Wadena! Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeletechipmunk...Wadena certainly gets a heartfelt standing ovation from me! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
DeleteSom very religious people object to religious displays on city property. The reason--to avoid the backlash after other religions put up displays, like Muslims on their holy days. Think about it. I know atheists who disagree with both sides.
ReplyDeleteLinda...Considering that freedom of religion is Constitutional, there should be no fear of backlash and all religions should have the same rights as do Christians. Atheists or anyone else has a perfect right to disagree with whomever they wish. What they do not have is the right to trample all over another person's rights and religious beliefs.
DeleteOn the surface all people do have the same rights. But, the backlash would be horrific in Muslims tried to have their religious symbols put on the courthouse lawn.
DeleteOf course it would, Linda...In most towns and cities, any religious symbols are not allowed on public property. If Christians and Jews and Buddhists are not allowed to display their religious symbols on public property and Muslims insisted on defying those laws, there should be backlash. The laws apply to everyone.
DeleteGorges...We Minnesotans are slow to fight, but we do find ways to get our point across!!
ReplyDeleteVicki, that little gem of a story brought a big smile to my face! Thank you for sharing it with us. AND I do not know what your Christmas plans include but have a sneaking suspension food may play a role/roll. Take care and stay healthy. This influenza is the...well, the pits! Merry Christmas! CW
ReplyDeleteCW...I liked that story as well - particularly the response to the bullying of that little town!! As it often is with adult children who have in-laws, we are spread out this year, including the youngest who took his family to Jamaica for a Christmas vacation. They promised to bring me sea shells. :)
DeleteDuane and I have plans for a lovely ham dinner on Christmas Day, sharing the cooking. I am looking forward to it.
I pray the flu bug is leaving your household soon. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Yeah; we've got a local here on the Left Coast who has property adjacent to a major freeway. He's got a 20-foot (or so) whiter cross, festooned with lights, with a sign that says "Jesus Saves." 'Makes the Godless heathens squirm like snails in a salt mine, and there ain't a damned thing they can do about! Ahh, yes; good times!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, and God's blessings, Vicki!
Pete...Dontcha just love it!! It does my heart good when those of faith can stick it to those who would try to tell them what they can or can not do. A tip of the hat to the guy with the cross and the sign.
DeleteWishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours,
Fern
Frank and Fern...Wishing both of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Deletenever understatement a true Minnesotan.. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours, Rob!
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