Lexington, Mass. – The first battlefield of the American Revolution has become the latest battleground in the fight for religious expression in the public square.
A Christian group is suing the town of Lexington, Mass., for the right to continue displaying its nativity scene on the historic Lexington Green, where Colonial minutemen fired the famous shot heard ‘round the world to begin the War for Independence from the British in 1775.
The manger scene with Jesus, Mary and Joseph on the town green has a history of its own, dating back more than 70 years. That tradition could end this year, however, if a federal district court upholds a new town ordinance that bans “unattended structures” on the green for more than eight hours at a time.
Members fo the Lexington Board of Selectmen have said the green could become a “circus” if any religious group can erect a display. But a local chapter of the Knights of Columbus says the town is instead violating every group’s constitutional rights.
“It’s religious expression. Under the Constitution, you can’t deny it,” said Grand Knight Michael O’Sullivan. “We’re (going to court) for the other people of Lexington too, who might want to put up their won religious symbols.”
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