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French court allows nativity scene to remain in secular town hall

A court in southern France refused on Friday to order the removal of a nativity scene at the town hall of Béziers, installed by a mayor close to the far-right Front National.

Robert Ménard, mayor of Béziers, France.
Robert Ménard, mayor of Béziers, France. AFP PHOTO / SYLVAIN THOMAS
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A 1905 law separating church and state prevents religious symbols from being displayed in French public offices.

Naturally, regional authorities did not approve of Robert Ménard, mayor of Beziers, installing a nativity scene in the city's town hall.

But on Friday, the mayor won the backing of the courts when a judge ruled the scene did not constitute a threat to public order.

Another court will rule on Monday whether a nativity scene can remain in the town hall in Melun, near Paris.

Since 2005, a group called the Federation of Free Thinkers has been fighting to stop the mayor from displaying the scene every Christmas on the grounds their town has many faiths, not just Christianity.

Melun officials argue the nativity scene is a tradition and not a religious symbol, but the investigating magistrate has a different view, as one of the three kings is carrying a cross.

 

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