Governor's defense of nativity scenes challenged
By JULIE CARR SMYTH
AP Statehouse Correspondent
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Gov. Ted Strickland's decision to allow nativity displays in state parks has drawn the ire of a group that opposes mingling church and state, which has asked the state's chief watchdog to investigate whether his action was constitutional.
The Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation accuses Strickland of violating his oath of office to uphold the Constitutions of Ohio and the United States by allowing the religious displays.
"Once the governor of Ohio enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for one religion over others, he strikes a blow at religious liberty by forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular expression of worship," wrote Annie Laurie Gaylor, foundation co-president, in a Friday letter to Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles.
Shawnee State Park in Scioto County in southern Ohio and Malabar Farm in Richland County in north-central Ohio had taken down manger scenes, depicting the birth of Christ in a stable, following a complaint. Strickland, an ordained Methodist minister, instructed the parks to resurrect them.
A Shawnee visitor had argued that large figures representing the Hindu and Zoroastrian religions should be displayed, too.
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