Atheists File Complaint Re Nativity Scene in Bethel Town Square

BETHEL, CT —The town selectmen will hold a special meeting Monday to develop a policy that will get Bethel through this holiday season. The policy re-evaluation comes in the wake of a letter sent to the Board of Selectmen last week by The American Atheists Legal Center asking them to rescind their approval of the nativity scene recently erected in P.T Barnum Square.

The town had rejected an application for a non-religious display from Bethel resident, James Naddeo, on the grounds the application was missing an insurance form and an image of the display, which are required.

“The holiday season is for everyone, not just Christians,” said Nick Fish, president of American Atheists, in a statement on their website. “The Constitution is clear that the government cannot use religion to abridge a person’s rights, yet the Town of Bethel appears to be doing just that.”

“There is no effort to deny people any right,” First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker told the News Times. “It would be a nice thing to have other cultures represented on that green.”

The special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday Nov. 26 in Room 'A' of Town Hall.

Image via Shutterstock