(LibertySociety.com) – On December 5, the city of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, decided to allow a nativity scene to stay in Basin Spring Park, honoring a 70-plus-year tradition. The city previously told Great Passion Play, the organization that owns and organizes the display, it would have to remove it from the public area. Apparently, a citizen was threatening to sue the town if the mayor didn’t order the group to take the structure down. The leader contacted the city’s attorney, who advised him to give the removal order rather than deal with a potential lawsuit.
A decades-long tradition in Eureka Springs almost ended over a debate about a nativity scene. https://t.co/LHVSsiFnpp
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) December 6, 2022
When Eureka Springs Mayor Butch Berry broke the news to Great Passion Play, a member of the group, Randall Christy, told KY3 he had no intention of following the order. He called out to the community for help on the matter, asking fellow Christians to contact the city and ask them to reconsider. Christy also told his staff not to comply with the request. The man made it clear, however, he wasn’t upset with the mayor or the city’s attorney, but believed they were “confused and mixed up.” Many people reportedly spoke out about the matter, changing the tides on the issue.
After the outcry, Berry said the nativity scene could stay in the park if Great Passion Play secured a permit. Christy vowed to pay the $25 fee so it can remain on display through Christmas.
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