Festivus briefly shares space with nativity scene

By Associated Press

BARTOW, Fla. - When a church group put a nativity scene on public property, officials warned it might open the door to other religious - and not-so-religious - displays. They were right.

Since the nativity was erected in Polk County, displays have gone up honoring Zoroastrianism and the fake holiday Festivus, featured on the TV show ``Seinfeld.''

The Polk County Commission voted 4-1 Wednesday to permit the nativity scene to remain across the street from the courthouse, as well as to make that area a ``public forum'' open to any type of display.

But the commission insisted that unless someone claims a particular display and submits a written request asking it remain, it would be removed. By Wednesday evening, no one had claimed the Festivus display, and the commission said it would come down; a woman claimed the Zoroastrianism display, which was to stay.

The debate began Dec. 15 when a handmade creche with the figures of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus was erected by a Bible study group from the First Baptist Church of Bartow.       ``The real spirit of Christmas is the birth of Christ,'' said Marvin Pittman, a retired law enforcement officer and parishioner. ``We felt it needs to be in the public eye, so we did it.''       Other displays are fine, too, he said, adding, ``If somebody wants to do that, it's their right.''

And true to form, the site almost immediately sprouted alternative displays, including a simple sign that reads: ``Festivus for the Rest of Us - Donated to Polk County by the Seinfeld Fan Club.''

The display, a reference to the fake holiday featured on an episode of the television sitcom, did not include the totem of Festivus - a bare aluminum pole instead of a tree. Key rituals of Festivus include accusing others of being a disappointment and wrestling.

Another display celebrating Zoroastrianism was erected by Stella Darby, who wanted to encourage people to research the ancient Persian religion.      

Richard Blank, a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, objected to the nativity scene's presence on public property, arguing it violates the constitutional separation of church and state.       ``The nativity scene is totally celebratory of the birth of Christ,'' he said. ``Not everyone subscribes to that, and those who do should put it on their own property.''      

But a board member who voted to allow the creche as part of the ``public forum'' disagreed with Blank. ``A group had asked to display a scene important to their beliefs; I felt we shouldn't suppress their right to do so,'' said Commissioner Samuel K. Johnson.