Holiday controversy in the form of a “War on Christmas” has erupted in the small city of Mullins, South Carolina, after Democrat Mayor Miko Pickett ordered the removal of a modest Nativity scene from a public marketplace parking lot.
But lo, what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a defiant small town committee who said she’s free to go pound sand—at least for now.
The Mullins Beautification Committee decided around Thanksgiving to put up a Christmas display, funded by their own wallet, in hopes of drawing more customers to the downtown area. A little ‘come check out the holiday display, and maybe spend a few bucks on local businesses’ strategery.
Among the decorations were wreaths, lights (of course), a snowman, and Santa Claus to create a festive, Hallmark-like atmosphere. But it also featured a small 3-by-4-foot Nativity scene. And that, right there, raised the ire of Pickett, who reportedly texted Kimberly Byrd, head of the committee, and asked her to take it down.
‘Twas, according to Fox News, because Pickett did not want to offend “residents of other faiths and beliefs in the community.”
Well, Fa la la la la, la la la la-di-frickin-da.
READ MORE: Christmas Comes Early As White House Tree Ornament Mocks Schumer, Jeffries
Catholic Parish Sparks Outrage After Desecrating Nativity Scene With Vile Anti-ICE Message
Byrd tells Fox News Digital that the mayor’s actions shocked her and seemed to stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the true meaning of Christmas, especially as celebrated in small towns. Perhaps naively, she also thought a moment or two of reflection on Pickett’s part would yield a change of mind.
“It’s a faith-based community in the Bible Belt. I’ve been here 53 years of my life and never heard of anything like this happening here,” Byrd said.
“Christ is why we celebrate Christmas. I really thought she would probably change her mind or come back and say, ‘I’m sorry, I made a mistake. Let’s have a meeting about this,’ but nothing.”
The Democratic mayor instead took to Facebook to clarify her request to remove the nativity scene.
“I requested that the nativity scene be removed solely from the PUBLIC parking area. The reason for this is the separation of Church and State applies to municipalities as well, regarding religious symbols on public property and parks,” she insisted. “We are a community composed of various ethnicities and religious beliefs. Both my family and I are deeply rooted in our own beliefs.”
“I want to emphasize that I have never stated that nativity scenes should be prohibited in Mullins.”
The separation of church and state is not something that was ever intended to remove religion from the public sphere, but is nonetheless cited in even the most mundane things that atheists find offensive.
Former Senator Rick Santorum (R) once wrote, “The idea of strict or absolute separation of church and state is not and never was the American model.”
Defying the mayor’s directive, Byrd and the committee kept the Nativity scene in place, even garnering support from some non-partisan city council members. And, she said, if the Mayor feels compelled to keep the fight going, she’d end up scrapping the whole display.
“How are we supposed to explain to our kids that we have to hide our religion, hide our beliefs, and hide what Christmas is about?” Byrd wondered. “Christmas is not about Santa Claus. It’s about the birth of Jesus.”
You can’t have Christmas without Christ.
In the 1984 U.S. Supreme Court case Lynch v. Donnelly, a 5-4 majority ruled that cities may display a nativity scene on public property if it is part of a broader holiday display.
Pickett’s Grinchy attitude is not only an attempt to defy basic decency, but an attempt to defy Supreme Court precedent allowing Nativity scenes in mixed holiday displays. She hasn’t a leg to stand on here.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use the promo code MERRY74 to receive 74% off your membership.
