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Christmas With Frosty And Teddy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 3, 2007

At the DeFuniak Springs courthouse, they're rolling a fake snowman into the traditional manger scene to make it clear that Walton County does not endorse the Christian religion.

It's a compromise that has worked elsewhere. Add a reindeer, a fir tree and an elf, and some folks feel better about sharing the holidays with baby Jesus and three wise men.

Here's another idea for the creche. This year, why not add a white teddy bear to the mix? It would be a reminder of the religious trouble facing a British schoolteacher in Sudan for allowing her young students to name the toy Mohammed.

She's going to jail for 15 days and is being deported. At one point, she faced a flogging.

In Sudan this teacher learned that the church is the state, and the church is easily offended.

The bear would be a good reminder that we are a predominately Christian nation without a state religion and still unafraid to publicly express both our religious faith and our political opinions.

It is this confidence and freedom that welcomes scientific advancement, protects minority rights, encourages artistic creativity, tolerates protest and even allows a teddy bear to be named after one of our great presidents.

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