Texas boots solstice scene from state Capitol

DALLAS — Staff members at the Texas Capitol removed an exhibit that Gov. Greg Abbott said mocked religion without contacting the organization that sponsored the faux Nativity display, which replaced baby Jesus with a representation of the Bill of Rights.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, an organization that promotes the separation of church and state, said it is reviewing its options to take further action against the state for the move.

“This sort of censorship is inappropriate and illegal,” said Sam Grover, the foundation’s staff attorney.

Tuesday’s removal of the exhibit came after Abbott sent the State Preservation Board a letter saying the display mocked religion and calling for its immediate elimination from the Capitol grounds.

The exhibit, called the “Bill of Rights Nativity and Winter Solstice Display,” was on the ground floor of the Capitol building. In it, the Bill of Rights sat in the manger in place of baby Jesus, and it was surrounded by three Founding Fathers and the Statue of Liberty, who appeared to be worshipping the document.

“This juvenile parody violates the Preservation Board’s regulations and should be removed immediately,” Abbott said in a letter to John Sneed, executive director of the State Preservation Board.

Abbott, in his letter, said the exhibit did not meet the requirements for display at the Capitol because it didn’t promote a public purpose.

“We’re disappointed that Governor Abbott is letting his personal viewpoint on religion and our organization dictate his demand that our display be removed,” Grover said. “He’s saying there’s really only room at the inn for Christians.”