50 governors sent nativity scenes

NEW YORK, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A Catholic group has sent small nativity scenes to all 50 U.S. state governors, describing its gifts as an inoffensive way to mark the Christmas season.

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights announced the effort last week, calling the nativity scenes "a Christmas campaign almost everyone will like." President William Donohue said the one-piece scenes depicting the infant Jesus in the manger were sent to chiefs of staff with letters to the governors notifying them of the gifts and urging their display in statehouses.

The group said it has already received a gracious response from one governor, Phil Bredesen of Tennessee.

But Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire appears to be tired of battles over religious symbols. The head of the Department of General Administration replied to Donohue by telling him religious symbols can only be displayed outdoors, The Olympian reported.

After Washington set aside a holiday display space in the Capitol, the 2008 contributions included a large menorah to a "festivus pole" honoring a fake holiday celebrated on the Seinfeld show to a warning from the notorious Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas that Santa Claus would take believers to hell.