I write again this year, both disappointed and concerned with the decision rendered by the mayor of Rehoboth Beach and city council members regarding the downtown nativity scene. Last year, in a letter to this paper, I cited the Supreme Court decision, Lynch v Donnelly, on this very subject.
Justice Sandra Day O’Conner wrote the “endorsement test ” in that case, asking whether a particular government action amounts to an endorsement of religion, thus violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. According to the test, a government action is invalid if it creates a perception in the mind of a reasonable observer that the government is either endorsing or disapproving of religion.
It appears the answer rests with the words “reasonable observer.” WGMD’s Rob Petree interviewed Mayor Kuhns last week and cited how the town of Georgetown allows for a nativity scene to be placed in The Circle and his reply was, “Well, that’s Georgetown; this is Rehoboth Beach.” I guess that is his best defense to justify his position!
Last year the nativity was removed because the mayor and council stated it needed to be inclusive of other faith-based groups. Recently, the mayor asserted there were meeting(s) held with local faith-based leaders to arrive at a compromise. Fr. Cocco, pastor of St. Edmond Church, was apparently excluded from the meeting(s). So, I am left wondering. What happened to the compromise? We are still forbidden to put the nativity up in the space it had occupied for years. The removal of our nativity scene prompted Ocean City, Md., officials to review hundreds of their own displays and they found faith-based decorations were included. According to an article written by Shawn Soper in The Dispatch, Ocean City’s communications manager Jessica Waters said, “While there is no formal policy in place, the intent is to be inclusive, tolerant and exercise common sense in an era when common sense is often in short supply.” City Manager Doug Miller spoke about the Winterfest of Lights loop, saying, “I’m certain that we do have some faith-based decorations in the eight-minute loop. Also, I believe that our ability to have some Christian decorations in displays like ours have been upheld by the Supreme Court.” Soper opines, “Instead, it appears common sense and a spirit of acceptance and tolerance prevails in Ocean City compared to its beach resort neighbor in Delaware.” Oh, how I wish our city government would use the same lens to view this!
Look to the annual Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. Is there a more “state-ly” symbol of public property than the Ellipse? A nativity scene first appeared there in 1954 and was part of this celebration until 1973, when it was challenged. The nativity was returned to the Ellipse in 1984 and has remained ever since as a participant at this annual event. The difference being, since 1984 the National Park Service is no longer responsible for the maintenance and setup. The private group, the Pageant of Peace Inc. donated it and bears all responsibility for it. So, I ask, “How is this arrangement any different than St. Edmond Church and the Kiwanis chapter taking responsibility for the nativity in Rehoboth Beach?”
The city puts up a Christmas tree and hosts a Christmas tree lighting where Christmas carols are sung; a few days later it hosts a Christmas parade and it draws thousands to the town, who not only spend money on lodging, but on food and in any number of shops that line Rehoboth Avenue. Without (Christ)mas there is no tree, no singing and no parade. The very history of Rehoboth is that of a Methodist campground.
If you agree, I ask all businesses to place a nativity prominently in their window this season. Secondly, since the city is concerned that a nativity scene is a violation of the separation of church and state, why not allow the residents to decide by a vote? I suggest adding this item to the next city ballot, so there are no additional expenses borne by the residents.
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to all.
Debbie Donovan
Rehoboth Beach
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