A mother of two has taken the New York City public school system to court over its policy prohibiting nativity scenes.
When Andrea Skoros of Queens learned that display of her sons' model of the baby Jesus in a manger was not allowed at their school, she sought the help of the Thomas More Law Center. With the Center's assistance, the angry parent filed a federal lawsuit against the school system.
The city permits Menorah decorations and displays of the Islamic star and crescent in schools, but has banned Christian symbols. Skoros believes the city is intentionally discriminating against Christians.
At first the New York woman says she thought the prohibition was simply an attempt at political correctness; but after hearing some of the voices of opposition, she realized that many people were saying they were actually offended by the Christian display.
Skoros says hearing people voice their offense changed her understanding of the controversy. "I was never offended by the Menorah -- I just thought it would be more fair if they put them side by side. That's why I started the fight," she explains. "But when they say they're offended by the Nativity scene, I think it's more of a biased thing, from their end."
The New York school system has argued that Christian holiday displays violate the separation of church and state. However the city apparently has no problem with non-Christian religious symbols.
"Ideally I would like to see them allow [all the] religious symbols -- the Menorah, the Nativity scene, and the star and crescent. I don't think it's fair that they allow two and then prohibit the Nativity scene," Skoros says.
According to the boys' mother, now that her eight- and ten-year-old sons are able to understand the importance of the case, they are excited about her chances of winning.
© 2003 Agape Press. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
