Too Broke To Laugh

Michigan Man Sues for Right to Put Back Family’s Nativity Scene on Public Median

A Michigan man has filed a federal lawsuit claiming his constitutional rights were violated when he was ordered to remove a Nativity scene from the median of a public road — a creche that his family has displayed at the location for 63 years.

John Satawa, of Warren, Mich., filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Friday in an attempt to be allowed to put back the 8- by 8-foot Nativity scene his late father built in 1945.

“The Nativity display has been a tradition not just for my family, but for the whole community for 63 years,” Satawa told Foxnews.com in a statement. “I am disappointed the Road Commission would not stand up for our community and our Constitution and that is why I was compelled to file this lawsuit.”

According to Satawa’s lawsuit, St. Anne’s Parish received a donation of Christmas statues in March 1945 that were too large to house inside the church — so they were moved to the public median outside. Jack Eckstein, president of the village of Warren at the time, granted permission for the move.

As a result, a Christmas tradition was born the lawsuit reads.

Source: Fox News

I love Christmas, but it doesn’t belong on a public road. I’m sorry to hurt the feelings of folks who enjoy the Nativity scene, but it is a public road, so the nativity scene should be removed. No matter how much ‘Christians’ believe they are being singled out, just move the scene off of public property and there will be no issue.

Just because this has been a tradition doesn’t mean the law doesn’t apply and it doesn’t mean the rest of the ‘community’ believes a Nativity scene is the best use of public roads. Religious folks don’t understand this because their feelings are hurt and when it comes to religion and feelings, logic need not apply.

Community is a great word to get behind, since it implies everyone agrees, it’s just that the last time I checked Community didn’t mean only Christians. When it comes to public infringement on religious rights Christians won’t back down as was the case in Hamtramck, Michigan where many opponents to a daily Muslim prayer call voiced their displeasure. Most people, Christians, were upset because they had to listen since it was broadcast and could be heard outside of the mosque.

Joanne Golen, a lifelong Hamtramck resident, said she finds the content of the call to prayer offensive.

It says Allah is the one and only God. I am Christian. My God is Jesus Christ. That is my only objection — that I have to listen to a God other than the one I believe in praised five times a day

I wonder if Joanne has a problem with the public Nativity scene all non-Christians have to drive by and be subject to everyday?

I would like to know how Mr. Satawa and the St. Anne’s Parish would feel if the community decided a new tradition should be formed, since the Christian tradition did have a 63 year monopoly on the public space. Instead of having a Nativity scene, a Hannukah display could be erected, or a Kwanzaa display, but my guess is Mr. Satawa, or the Parish at large wouldn’t be too keen on that idea.