Atheist group fails in bid to bully Ohio town over nativity scene

DOVER — After receiving a petition from over six- hundred citizens, the Mayor of Dover, Ohio decided this week to change direction. A disputed nativity scene is returning to the city square for the 2019 holiday season in defiance to outside threats by a Wisconsin atheist group.

One Ohio pastor has taken it upon himself to combat the exploits of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

“The clergy have got to get pro-active in this fight against secular progressives like the FFRF,” says Pastor Jerry O’Brien of Faith Harvest Fellowship. “Case law shows when communities stand up to their intimidation, more times than not, we win.”

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, FFRF has lost lawsuits in their effort to abolish the National Day of Prayer and national motto “In GOD we trust” from national currency.

Reverend O’Brien has sent letters to over fifty Ohio mayors and has been networking with clergy and informing them about Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). ADF provides legal counsel to communities pro Bono on issues pertaining to religious freedom.

Originally the City of Dover announced it would no longer have a nativity scene on its square after receiving a letter on January 26th, from the FFRF.

Previously the City of Dover relocated a granite Ten Commandments display off city property to a nearby church, and painted over a depiction of a cross on public space next to city hall. The Ten Commandment display was donated to the city in 1963 and has been a fixture for some time.

FFRF stated in its opinion letter that it believed the City of Dover was violating the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

After Dover City Council met this week, Mayor Richard Homrighausen announced the City will have ornamental Christmas tree bulbs placed nearby the nativity scene on the city square to avoid any potential infringement.

In 2013, FFRF failed to prevent the state of Ohio from building the first Holocaust memorial in the nation on state Capitol grounds. A letter written by the American Center for Law and Justice was signed by over forty-thousand and sent to the Ohio Governor and Attorney General to seal FFRF’s defeat.

Last year, Findlay, Ohio Mayor Lydia Mihalik refused to bow down to FFRF demands to take down a mural in the municipal building with the Bible verse: “Under His wings shall you find refuge, Psalm 91.”

According to Mayor Mihalik, “Findlay is strong because we have belief. We believe in a power greater than ourselves that promises a brighter day is ahead. I refuse to apologize for it (mural).”