Group calls off lawsuit over Harrison County Nativity display

9514439-gjpg-041d74d5c85f258e — A humanist group called off its planned lawsuit over a Nativity scene in the Harrison County courthouse after county officials allowed another group to post a sign next to the Nativity scene. WLOX photo

A humanist group called off its planned lawsuit over a Nativity scene in the Harrison County courthouse after county officials allowed another group to post a sign next to the Nativity scene. WLOX photo — A humanist group called off its planned lawsuit over a Nativity scene in the Harrison County courthouse after county officials allowed another group to post a sign next to the Nativity scene.
WLOX photo

GULFPORT, Mississippi (AP) — The American Humanist Association is calling off a lawsuit against Harrison County over a Nativity scene in the courthouse lobby.

David Niose of the American Humanist Association tells The Sun Herald the organization decided to end the lawsuit after the county allowed the Mississippi Gulf Coast Humanist, Atheist and Freethinker Association to put up an alternative sign Tuesday.

The organization chose to put up an alternative sign that reads, “Happy Holidays” and “Reason’s Greetings.” The sign also includes a graphic showing the reason for the season is the tilt of the earth’s axis.

Tim Holleman, attorney for the county’s board of supervisors, says his legal research indicates the county can keep the Nativity scene as long as it allows free expression of other views.