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Man sues for right to put up Nativity

DETROIT (UPI) -- A Michigan man whose family has erected a roadside Nativity scene every Christmas for more than half a century is suing for the right to do so this year.

John Satawa of Warren filed a federal suit Friday saying the Macomb County Road Commission is denying his right to the free exercise of his religion, The Detroit News reported Tuesday. He is represented by the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, named after the patron saint of lawyers.

Robert Hoepfner, the county highway engineer, wrote Satawa's lawyer in March saying he would not get permission this year to put the Nativity scene on the median of Mound Road. Hoepfner said a specifically religious display on county property violates the First Amendment establishment clause.

Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Center, said the county is violating the Constitution.

"The systematic exclusion of Christmas symbols during the holiday season is itself inconsistent with the Constitution," he said.

Satawa says his family has erected the Nativity scene on Mound Road since 1945.



Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 10/28/2009
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Posted Comments:

10-29-2009 13:09
wrote:



Our founding fathers had no intention to take away our freedom of religion when they made provision to protect us from a state religion. It is time for Americans pray, seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways, so that God will heal our land. (See II Chronicles 7:14) We cannot afford to let anyone take away our RIGHT to serve God.



10-29-2009 09:26
Francesco wrote:

Nativity for Christmas

I think this man is right what he is doing, Obama has no right to justify to take away the spirit of Christmas,it is Just as bad giving the rights to the Police heare in the UK to have a pagan Holiday when we cant have a religiouse Holiday, like Holyday's of oblegation's when they Celebrated, we have to go to work. I agree that the nativity that this Man is fighting for my prayers is with Him, God is the Judge and America is in Trouble over one Preasident. I say look out there is more to come as he will poison the Nations with his Venum.



10-28-2009 13:55
wrote:



In this case, the display is to be erected on "County Property". That could be labeled "trespassing" in a court of law. If he puts it up on his "personal property", then the WORLD should not interfere! On another note,,,,If he were to wrap a towel around his head, he could put it on the COURT HOUSE LAWN.



10-28-2009 11:57
Clayton wrote:

Nativity Scene

Isn't it strange that a country that was founded because of religious persecution now no longer has the right to worship as we see fit. It seems everyone is running this country but the American people. Of course our new administration is working hard to take all our freedoms away from us and give them to foreign nationals.



10-28-2009 10:29
Judy wrote:

Nativity Scene

Our founding fathers had no intention to take away our freedom of religion when they made provision to protect us from a state religion. It is time for Americans pray, seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways, so that God will heal our land. (See II Chronicles 7:14) We cannot afford to let anyone take away our RIGHT to serve God.




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