Pagans ask for displays by parks' nativities
Pagans ask for displays by parks' nativities:
Zoroastrians and other pagans, both claiming roles for their faiths in the Christmas tradition, say they won't stop fighting to have their holiday displays placed alongside nativity scenes in Ohio state parks. Efforts by both so far have been rejected by the administration of Gov. Ted Strickland, an ordained Methodist minister, who recently ordered Christian creches placed back in two state parks that had disallowed them because of religious concerns.
The battle comes in a year that the Rev. Charles Nestor, an Assemblies of God minister in Lakeland, Fla., promoted "Operation Nativity," urging Christians to flood the country with nativity displays at their homes, churches, and businesses. The effort was an attempt to reclaim the role of Christian faith over secularization in the Christmas holiday. David Russell, whose recent request to place a Zoroastrian display at Shawnee State Park was rejected by Mr. Strickland, said he will pursue his request "to its logical conclusion." Already, the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation has asked for an investigation of whether Mr. Strickland violated his oath of office to uphold the constitutions of Ohio and the United States by allowing the religious displays.