GULFPORT FINE ARTS CLUB: All religious symbols welcome at the courthouse

The Constitution of the United States provides the right "to religion" but not "from religion."

It is time we stand up for this cherished right. The current controversy over the Nativity scene at the Harrison County courthouse is a grand opportunity for us to stand up for the values that have served our country well for hundreds of years. These same Judeo-Christian values are shared by most Americans. It is time to stop acquiescing to opposing opinions, stop giving up or giving in to people who disagree with us and time to begin offering positive solutions.

There is room on our courthouse yard for the Christian Nativity scene as well as a symbol of the Jewish Hanukkah, the Hindu Dharma Wheel, the Buddhist symbol of peace, the star and crescent symbol of Islam and the atheistic symbol of nothingness. It seems the few are controlling the many, which is not acceptable. It is time for all caring people to seek positive solutions to controversy and to become inclusive rather than divisive.

JANE STANLEY, president

and members of the

Gulfport Fine Arts Club

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 8:21 PM with the headline "GULFPORT FINE ARTS CLUB: All religious symbols welcome at the courthouse ."