1985 'Reindeer Rule' saves city's nativity display

1985 'Reindeer Rule' saves city's nativity display


3 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The nativity scene on a city's town square will stay, the city council decided, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling from years ago called the Reindeer Rule.

That's the decision in one of the latest controversies over nativity scenes on city property, this time in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

WHO-TV reports it started when the city decorated its tree and put out a nativity scene earlier this month, causing quite a buzz around town.

"I was looking around the park to see if there was any other religious or non-religious displays representing any Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Agnostics, and there wasn't anything," says Oskaloosa resident Aiyanna Looney.


Even if there is one Muslim family and one Hindu family, they're here and they deserve respect.

–Aiyanna Looney


Looney wrote a letter to the city asking it to take down the nativity scene or find a way to represent all religions, not just the Christian faith.

"This is about fairness, representing minority religions, and respecting everyone who lives in this town. Even if there is one Muslim family and one Hindu family, they're here and they deserve respect," said Looney.

City council member Aaron Ver Steeg said the city took down the nativity scene and the city council held a special meeting to discuss the complaint. Ver Steeg wanted the nativity scene to stay.

"I'm one of the believers that our religious freedoms are being taken away by a select few people. I think this person who complained is in the minority and I think I have to speak for the majority," he said.


I'm one of the believers that our religious freedoms are being taken away by a select few people.

–Aaron Ver Steeg


He pointed to a Supreme Court ruling called the Reindeer Rule, which was established in 1985. It states that a nativity scene can be present in a city park as long as it is balanced with a non-secular display item such as a Christmas tree.

The council decided last week that the nativity could be put back up as long as it is accompanied by a secular decoration.

In a separate case, a judge last month ruled against a move to restore nativity and other displays at a city park in Santa Monica, Calif. After three years of controversy, the city successfully argued that those displays were a drain on city resources, destroyed the park's turf and obstructed ocean views.

Contributing: Linda Williams

Photos

Related links

Related stories

Most recent Features stories

Stephanie Moore, NBC News

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast