Abbott Offers Support to Cherokee County Judge in Nativity Scene Case

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has sent a letter to Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, following a demand from the American Humanist Association (AHA) to remove a Nativity scene from the grounds of the county courthouse in Rusk. Abbott’s letter reads, in part, “The letter (from AHA) threatens to sue Cherokee County unless you “promptly remove” the nativity scene and ‘provide … written assurances that no similar display will be erected in the future.’ You have informed my office that the County intends to keep the nativity scene in place through the Christmas season, and that the display on the courthouse grounds contains a variety of features, a number of which have no religious element. I write to offer my support if the AHA follows through on its threat to sue Cherokee County.

“While the Texas Attorney General’s Office cannot represent Cherokee County in court, should the need arise, my office can and will file legal briefs supporting the County’s authority to retain the nativity scene display on the courthouse grounds. My office has previously taken action in support of numerous Texas communities and school children who have been forced to defend their rights against similar legal attacks.”

According to KETK, AHA bases its demand on a claim that the courthouse lawn is not a public forum. A local man, self-proclaimed Humanist Daniel Ross, has requested that a secular display be placed adjacent to the manger scene.”I’m not offended by the Nativity scene. I’m more offended by not having the opportunity to be represented, not having my belief represented here,” said Ross.