KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. – The cross traditionally found at the top of a Christmas tree in Knightstown, Indiana will be seen in a different place this year.
The Town Council of Knightstown said the cross will be placed on the tree near the center, and “no other crosses or other Christian religious artifacts or icons are to be placed on or around the tree or in the immediately surrounding area.”
A star will be positioned at the top of the tree.
Other decorations will be placed on or around the tree, but only by employees of Knightstown.
Community members will not be allowed to decorate the tree with their ornaments.
The decision by the council comes after Knightstown was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana in December 2016, who claimed the cross – then placed on top of the tree - violated the separation of church and state.
The suit stated:
The cross is the best known symbol of Christianity and Knightstown's prominent display of this symbol represents an establishment of religion in violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Dozens of people gathered around the display in 2016 to pray town officials would keep the cross on the tree.
The cross was taken down in mid-December because the town could not win the court case brought by the ACLU of Indiana. The council said the decision was made based on advice from legal counsel.
This holiday season, Knightstown employees will monitor decorations placed on the tree or in the surrounding area, and will remove any items “deemed in noncompliance with the conditions set forth in the statement.”
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