'War On Christmas' Declared In America - Sky News

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9:28am UK, Sunday December 25, 2011

Greg Milam, US correspondent

The season of peace and goodwill is under threat in the United States amid claims that a "war on Christmas" has been declared.

Rows about the display of traditional Christmas symbols have broken out across the country.

But one of the pressure groups accused of being partly responsible has told Sky News it defends its campaign on behalf of non-Christians and non-believers.

The usual debate over whether it is acceptable to say 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays' has exploded into a much wider disagreement this year.

Thousands of people took part in a prayer rally in the city of Athens in Texas after an atheist group took court action to have a nativity scene removed from outside the courthouse.

They claim it promotes Christianity and excludes non-Christians but a judge has so far ruled the traditional Christmas scene can stay.

The usual debate has become a much wider disagreement

Becky Paul, who was among those at the prayer rally, said: "Christ is the reason we're here. I mean this is his birth, and that's why we need to be celebrating and we just pray for the people who don't believe."

Carla Barron, another of those who turned up to show support, said: "It is not about the nativity scene, it is about Jesus. It is the reason we celebrate Christmas, Jesus is Christmas."

The row in Athens is just part of a fierce nationwide debate about the right and wrongs of displaying religious symbols in public places.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution prohibits the government from promoting any religion but also prevents it from interfering in the practice of religion.

The issue has even featured in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Candidate Rick Perry produced a widely-parodied television commercial in which he said: "You don't need to be in the pews every Sunday to know there is something wrong in our country.

"When gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school. As president I will end Obama's war on religion."

The debate has taken a bizarre twist in Solana Beach City near San Diego in California - officials have removed the star from the top of the municipal tree just in case they get complaints about it.

The executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, one of the groups accused of being behind the "war on Christmas", has dismissed the suggestion.

Barry Lynn told Sky News: "There is no war on Christmas. We have a dizzying level of obvious holiday displays. You can't walk ten feet in any city in America and not realise there is a holiday called Christmas and that there is some kind of religious significance to it.

"I think what's important is that at a holiday season it is not up to federal government, state government or city government to embrace one religion - Christianity - and its holiday celebrations over the many other religions practising in the United States and many non-believers."