The Grinch struck early this fall when government authorities banned religious messages from the ornaments displayed on the Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol building.

 

This year’s tree is an 85-foot blue spruce from Arizona. Its 5,000 ornaments were prepared by Grand Canyon state students, according to specific criteria for the 9-12 inch high decorations. Students were told, “Ornaments cannot reflect a religious … theme.”

 

That didn’t sit well with one Christian student, who wanted to submit three ornaments, one of which said, “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” The Alliance Defense Fund came to his defense in late September, threatening a federal lawsuit for this unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination which censors religious messages from, of all things, a Christmas tree!

 

Shortly afterwards, the ban was lifted. A spokeswoman for the Architect of the Capitol, the agency originally responsible for the ban, said it was all a mistake. It was, “old information that was somehow distributed…. There are no restrictions,” she told WorldNetDaily.

 

Well, we’re glad to hear that and credit the Alliance Defense Fund for superb legal work. But why does it take a federal lawsuit to restore respect for religious free speech and send the Grinch packing?

 

We hope this has helped you learn to discern—and that you’ll share this with a friend.

 

Learn2Discern is an online video feature from Coral Ridge Ministries.

 

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