During the past week, media focus has been largely concentrated on the controversial Nativity scene on the downtown Athens courthouse lawn located in nearby Athens, Texas.

            The controversy was started by the Wisconsin non-profit group, Freedom From Religion Foundation. They sent a letter to the county, called the display “unconstitutional”, and demanded it to come down. While Henderson County does not own the Nativity scene, it has been put up for a decade by volunteers of the Keep Athens Beautiful Group.

            However, commissioners claim they would not object to having other religious displays being put on county property. On the other hand, the Freedom From Religion Foundation wants to put a sign stating that “There is no God, no devils, no angels or heaven and the religion hardens the heart and enslaves minds.”

            In addition, the Henderson County officials stated that if a person from Henderson County approached them about the situation, they might consider a compromise, but they do not want someone from Wisconsin asking them to do something.

            As for now, the nativity scene is planned to stay.