News
Thursday, September 9, 2010
“The Christmas season is a spirit of giving and love and peace on earth – not a time for turmoil.”
Holiday scene gets a reprieve
A local law firm offers to represent Luzerne County in the event of litigation by the ACLU.
By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
A Nativity and menorah will be returned to the Luzerne County Courthouse lawn – likely by Monday – as part of a holiday display featuring other secular objects, county Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said Friday.
Connie Pastula holds up a plastic baby Jesus as passers-by honk their horn at a group of citizens protesting the removal of the courthouse holiday display.
Aimee Dilger/The Times Leader
A tiny Nativity is placed on the Luzerne County Courthouse lawn in protest of the removal of the Nativity and Menorah.
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
Additional Photos Below
The display will be possible because the Wilkes-Barre law firm Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald has agreed to represent the county at no cost if a lawsuit is filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Petrilla said.
Some county officials decided to remove the Nativity and menorah Wednesday night after the litigation threat, saying they didn’t have the time and money to invest in a suit.
County officials say they were inundated with complaints about the removal. About 20 citizens also gathered at the site where the Nativity once stood on Friday morning carrying statues and a flag of the Nativity scene.
“It’s just clearly very important to the people of Luzerne County, and we hear their plea,” Petrilla said. “I’m grateful to them for displaying their emotions regarding the matter.”
Though a suit may result, the county and Rosenn firm will attempt to work with both organizations to reach an agreement on a display that does not violate the constitutional separation of church and state, said county Solicitor Vito DeLuca.
Minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban said he didn’t support the removal and learned about it from a news article. He said he spoke with other organizations that are willing to help the county in its defense, including the Alliance Defense Fund and the Pa Family Institute.
The Rosenn firm has also donated $1,000 to purchase secular holiday items that will be needed for the display, Petrilla said.
A lawyer from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State has said that seasonal displays on public property cannot show preference to any religion. Luzerne County’s Nativity stood by itself and was highlighted with a spotlight. The menorah was off to the side, and the only secular object was a snowman.
The protesters gathered in the frigid temperatures, generating frequent supportive honks and thumbs-up from passing motorists.
“Let’s bring Christmas back,” shouted one man in a truck.
“There’s still no room in the inn for Jesus,” said protester Joan Danishanko, of Wilkes-Barre, who came with her husband, Albert.
Debbie Lansberry, of Lehman Township, came as a shepherd wearing a bathrobe and towel secured by a headband.
“The Christmas season is a spirit of giving and love and peace on earth – not a time for turmoil,” she said.
Cathy Mack, of Pittston, said money says “In God we trust,” and county officials put their hands on a Bible when they take the oath of office. The government considers Christmas a holiday.
“So what’s this that you can’t have church and state together? It was never separated,” Mack said.
One elderly man put his tiny Nativity statute on the courthouse lawn during the protest, daring anyone to remove it.
At one point the crowd sang “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”
Community activist Gene Stilp had planned to hold a live Nativity several evenings next week. If the display is restored, he still encourages people to gather at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, though they won’t have to appear in costume as originally planned.
“We should still celebrate the fact that people acting has made a difference,” Stilp said.
Stilp has received around 100 calls from people who wanted to volunteer, and one church was willing to donate costumes, he said. Stilp may be reached at 717-829-5600 .
Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.
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Additional Photos
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Connie Pastula holds up a plastic baby Jesus outside the Luzerne County Courthouse Friday as passing motorists honk their horns in support. She was among about 20 citizens protesting the county’s removal of a Nativity and menorah from the lawn. AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER |
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Albert and Joan Danishanko of Wilkes-Barre hold a Nativity and a painting of the Nativity scene during a protest Friday. AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER |
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24 COMMENTS
Mary Jo Lee said...
Finally! Someone has got a backbone! I applaud all who protested!
Father John said...
Thank you Rosenn Jenkins and Greenwald...Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to you and yours...I felt very enlighted after reading this article...
Mikie said...
I certainly hope the displays used recognize the pagan religions----they were celebrating at this time of year LONG BEFORE CHRIST was born. The majority of the traditions that are called christmas traditions such as decorating with greens trees in homes giving presents many carols are based on PAGAN traditions. Christians chose this time of year to celebrate and to practice pagan customes to avoid persecution in thier early days--then later on to absorb pagan religions-----THE RETURN OF THE SUN IS THE TRUE MEANING OF CELEBRATING AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. If the displays do not represent ALL religions I will support the ACLU!
Pete sake said...
The people have spoken. we are not trying to "force" our religion on anyone, but we will no longer be denied our right to celebrate it.If every person in the country who thinks the ACLU has gone too far would donate 1$ to a defense fund, we could obliviate this very twisted org. once and for all.
dj williams said...
If I were you,citizens ofLuzern County,I'd put that display back up and thum my knose at those spoilers(the aclu)They are only a bunch of half baked lawyers that can't make it in pvt.practice anyway and think they are important when we all know they are just a bunch of loosers
davebillis said...
Alleluia! The Baby Jesus has rose again on the lawn of the Luzerne Co. Courthouse. If only he could get inside.
need some good news these days said...
I can't believe that some smart alec, know it all 20 year old King's College student started all of this. King's is a CATHOLIC college, isn't it??? Isn't King's teaching what the meaning of CHRISTmas is??? Christmas is Jesus, Joseph and Mary...NOT SANTA!!
Info101 said...
Why would Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald be necessary If the courthouse sincerely intends to have an all inclusive display? Keep it (LEGAL), and their shouldn't be any problems.
Dan Elliott said...
I am very proud of the people of Wilkes Barre and the surrounding area to take a stand on maintaining our Christian beliefs. I also thank the law firm of Rosenn Jenkins and Greenwald for stepping up to volunteer to represent the people in this matter. I now live in Virginia, and I am very proud to be from North Eastern Pennsylvania! Merry Christmas to all and have a blessed holiday season!
Bob said...
These people that want to take God out of everything we have, may someday need him, they need to think twice about this. The Lord never sleeps.
Philip G. Pizano said...
It's a Christmas Miracle. Imagine Freedom of Religion. I never thought I would see the Day. You could also say Merry Christmas to me. I won't get offended.
T.J. said...
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties." ----Thomas Jefferson
CME said...
There are some organizations that can help if this type of thing comes up again. The Alliance Defence Fund and the Liberty Council--they are the experts when the ACLU does something ridiculous like this. alliancedefensefund.org lc.org
Joe Valley said...
Call the Pope, it's a miracle! Those plastic Jesi are now certified icons.
Church Street Charley said...
It's a shame that the few can cause spoil for all. May we all come back with a stronger realization of what this time of year means, with stronger visual representation as well.
County Girl said...
About time our community came together for a good cause.. I rather read about this then all the bad things going on in the area.. My daughter who is 6 years old was VERY upset when we drove by and Baby Jesus was not on the courthouse lawn. She associates Christmas with Baby Jesus not so much presents. It's not Christmas without Baby Jesus
Luzerne Taxpayer said...
Everyone is free to publicly celebrate their particular religious beliefs at any time - they just can't use public tax money to do it. The pro-theocracy anti-American protesters in the pictures proved just that whether they realized it or not. Were the demonstrators beaten by Riot Police or blasted by firehoses? Were they assaulted by angry Atheists or jackbooted bureaucrats? NO, of course they weren't. The irony of the situation is that the protesters were accidentally demonstrating that there IS NO CONSPIRACY to prevent them from publicly celebrating their religious beliefs. There never has been. It really is that simple.
It Wasn't Me said...
I'LL BELIEVE WHEN I SEE IT.
yada yada yada said...
Nice to see the County is seeking the help of two hate groups (Pa Family Institute & Alliance Defense Fund). Wonder when Urban and the others are going to done their sheets and proclaim this county a Christian Theocracy??
Elizabeth Davis said...
I would recommend that all residents of Luzerne County purchase their Christmas Gifts in another county...see how long it will take to return the nativity scene and menorah to the lawn of our courthouse.
Cheryl Wolfe said...
If they feel so strongly why don't they put the display on their own property instead of the government property which belongs to everyone, not just the Christians? This is the problem with the religiousts ---constantly forcing religion down the throat of everyone else. Shame.
So happy for Rosenn, Greenwalk and Jenkins said...
Anyone that is pathetic enough to complain about what is on the lawn of the court house really needs a life. Thank you so much to Rosenn, Jenkins and Greenwald for stepping up and getting back a huge part of the meaning of Christmas.. MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANNUKAH AND HAPPY DAY HOWEVER YOU SPEND IT.
wyckedkittie said...
Why does our county - which is in such dire straights - feel the need to have to put up any decorations? The county should not have supported any religious decorations. Secular decorations are fine - leave the menorahs and nativities for churches, synagogues and private homes where they belong.
Joe said...
Info101, because even if the display IS legal, the ACLU and other organizations will sue because THEY don't think its legal, or they dislike it. They don't like the nativity being shown. By the way, here are links to 2 of the organizations mentioned in the article: www.pafamily.org www.alliancedefensefund.org