American Atheist Director Barb Reiland charges that a nativity manger in Carlsbad, New Mexico violates the constitutional principle of state-church separation.

ew Mexico American Atheists Director Barb Reiland is cautioning public officials in Carlsbad, NM that a Christian nativity scene on the Eddy County Courthouse law runs afoul of the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state. Earlier this week, Reiland urged public officials to remove the display, and added that she will consider legal action if necessary.

   County Manager Steve Massey, though, told the local Carlsbad Current-Argus newspaper that he was not going to order the creche dismantled, and would leave that decision instead to the County Commissioners.

    Ms. Reiland argued that the "centrality" of the Christian manger display violated the separation of church and state. "The nearby decorated Christmas tree and luminarias are incidental," said Reiland. "This nativity display represents one sectarian religion, and there are plenty of Eddy County taxpayers who are not Christians."

   "I know it's that time of the year, but for the government to prefer one religion over all others is clearly unconstitutional. There has to be neutrality toward religion in government."

   Reiland is awaiting word from County Commissioners, and says that she will make a decision then on whether or not to file a legal challenge.

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