Golden: away with a manger...

"Leave Us alone -- or be prepared to face the wrath of Bill O'Reilly." Tonight, the Golden City Council will tackle an ordinance that would limit religious displays on city property during the holidays. Like a nativity, for example. Denver has avoided similar attempts by making its holiday nativity display...

By Patricia Calhoun

November 13, 2008

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"Leave Us alone -- or be prepared to face the wrath of Bill O'Reilly."

Tonight, the Golden City Council will tackle an ordinance that would limit religious displays on city property during the holidays. Like a nativity, for example.

Denver has avoided similar attempts by making its holiday nativity display as everyman as possible, tossing in everything including the kitchen sink: Jesus, Mary and Joseph are attended not just by shepherds, but by snowmen, reindeer and giant candy canes.

And not only does the annual display on the steps of the City & County Building embrace all religions and beliefs, it's also timeless. How else to explain the fact that the manger has already appeared -- in early November? -- Patricia Calhoun

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

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