WADENA, MN (WTAQ) – A city in Minnesota was facing a lawsuit from a Wisconsin group, when it decided to get rid of a park Nativity scene.
Wadena had replicas of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus on display for years in Burlington Northern Park — complete with lighted arches leading to it.
However, a resident complained to Madison’s Freedom from Religion Foundation. The group told the west central Minnesota community it was violating the constitutional separation of church and state.
Tuesday night, the City Council voted unanimously to donate it to the private Wadena Ministerial Association for display on private land.
Mayor George Deiss says the Christmas scene looked “wonderful” in the park, and it was more of a tradition than a religious display.
Freedom from Religion Foundation attorney Patrick Elliott says it might be a tradition, but it’s also unconstitutional.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
