Judge bans high school from performing live Nativity scene

Usatoday.com reports: An Indiana public high school will not be allowed to portray a Nativity scene with live performers as part of the 2015 Christmas Spectacular, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Jon E. Deguilio granted a preliminary injunction in a federal lawsuit against Concord Community Schools, writing in the order that the show "conveys a message of endorsement of religion, or that a particular religious belief is favored or preferred." "Accordingly, the court finds that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits on their claim that the inclusion of the living Nativity scene in the show, as currently proposed, violates the Establishment Clause," the judge wrote. The suit was originally filed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana and Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a not-for-profit that advocates for the separation of church and state, on behalf of a student who participates in the performing arts program and his father. John Trout, the superintendent for Concord Community Schools, said in a statement that the decision is disappointing...