When a Wisconsin-based group, The Freedom From Religion Foundation (TFFR), ordered city leaders in Athens, Texas, to remove a Nativity scene from the courthouse lawn, officials and citizens were single-minded in their response. "Don't mess with Texas, and don't mess with our Nativity!"
The foundation asked for the baby Jesus to be removed, or for a sign to be put up next to his crib that would read: "At this season of the winter solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
But their attack prompted a tremendous outcry not just in Henderson County, but across the nation.
Pastor Nathan Lorick of First Baptist Church in nearby Malakoff, Texas, said it was time to stand up and speak up in defense of Christianity. He and other community leaders held a rally this past Saturday on the Courthouse Square near the Nativity scene, where supporters joined together in songs of praise.
"We are humbled at the turnout of the crowd," Pastor Lorick told the nearly 5,000 who attended the rally. "It is time for Christians in America to stand up, show up and speak up," he said. "We believe that it is time to lead America back to the biblical and Christian values and morals that have made our nation so great since its birth."
WATCH PASTOR LORICK'S ENDERGIZING MESSAGE HERE.
Even Texas Attorney General Abbott said the state supports Henderson County's refusal to back down from groups like TFFR. "There is a person, a lawyer and an organization in this state that has their back, that has the law, that has the muscle and firepower to go toe-to-toe with these organizations that come from out of state trying to bully governmental bodies into tearing down things like Nativity scenes."
AFA encourages more towns to stand up to the intimidating letter writing tactics of atheist groups who threaten to try and remove Christ from the public square.
Sincerely,
Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association
