Court rules in favor of controversial Concord High’s Nativity scene

A controversial Concord High School Christmas show can continue to include a mannequin Nativity scene, a federal court ruled Wednesday.

In 2015, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) filed a lawsuit against the school district on behalf of a Concord student and his father, saying that the school’s live Nativity scene illegally endorsed religion.

The 2015 ’Spirit of the Season’ portion of the Christmas Spectacular was revised. It recognized Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas, and the Nativity scene featured mannequins rather than students. Bible verses were also removed from the performance.

In Wednesday’s ruling, the court found that the show as performed in 2015 did not violate the Establishment Clause.