Oklahoma Capitol (File Photo) OKLAHOMA CITY — As Christian supporters Monday erected what is believed to be the state’s first nativity scene in recent years inside the state Capitol, one watchdog group warned the state also must allow other displays on the same topic in the future. Alex Hilton, the Oklahoma resident who set up the crèche, said it’s important to have one on state Capitol grounds because Jesus Christ is the reason of Christmas, and that it’s a good way to bolster public support for Christianity, “which is increasingly under assault by an array of different forces.” He also said the display counteracts the “false and historical narrative about the separation of church and state.” “We’ve grown accustomed to this false idea that the Establishment Clause means that there can be no prayer in public schools, there can be no nativity scenes or Ten Commandment monuments at state Capitol buildings, and that’s just totally ahistorical,” Hilton said. The display is part of a partnership by the Thomas More Society, which is a not-for-profit law firm based in Chicago, and the American Nativity Scene campaign to help private groups display scenes from the night of Christ’s birth on government […]
