JEFFERSON COUNTY — A Wisconsin based atheist group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, claims in a letter sent to the Jefferson County board that the county’s holiday display at the courthouse violates the constitution.

In a letter circulated by Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Allen, the group accuses him of “illegally endorsing religion on the County Courthouse lawn.”

Allen responded to the organization’s letter with one of his own, in which he says he’s not sure how you could have a Christmas display without a nativity scene because Christmas is a Federal holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Allen says the organization only focused on the nativity scenes, and failed to recognize their part in a traditional display. The nativity scenes make up only two of many displays and decorations at the courthouse.

Allen says the picture taken by the Freedom From Religion Foundation failed to show a veterans tree to the right and a other decorations to the left.

But the foundation’s legal representative claims the decorations were too far away.
The foundation said they would consider taking legal action against Allen if the displays go up again next year.

Allen says he’s not worried about a legal battle with the group, and doesn’t plan on backing down.