Baby Jesus, the Three Wisemen and....Frosty the Snowman?
The Walton County Commission says they were "forced" to add secular Christmas decorations to the Nativity Scene in front of the Walton County Courthouse after a national group threatened to sue them. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington D-C based organization, says it's unconstitutional to display Christian-only themed decorations.
"We were surprised about the request," says Chris Mitchell, Public Information Officer for Walton County. "The group gave us a choice, either take down the nativity scene to comply with federal law or keep it up according to federal law as long as we add and include secular displays during the holiday season."
To avoid a lawsuit, county commissioners decided to add non-Christian decorations to the courthouse display. Work crews will put in snowmen and other Christmas decorations over the weekend.
People we spoke to in Walton County say the Nativity Scene additions don't bother them.
"We don't want to cause any controversy during the holidays," says Mitchell. "And we wanted to avoid legal action and comply with the federal government."
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