Belen, New Mexico is a small town with a population of just over 7,000 people that is now making huge headlines. A Wisconsin-based anti-religion organization is pressuring the city to remove a year-round Nativity scene that is on city property. The Mayor of Belen -- which is Spanish for 'Bethlehem' -- Jerah Cordova said the city will continue to fight to keep the artwork that depicts the birth of Jesus Christ.

According to KOAT, the mayor said that the city will even go as far as to sell the piece of land to make it private property so the artwork can stay. The mayor and others in Belen believe that the art is a part of the town's history and it is "staying right where it is."

The group that is having an issue with the statue is the Freedom From Religion Foundation, who believe that the religious art is a violation of the U.S. Constitution by being on city property.

Freedom From Religion Foundation co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor also said that if the property is put up for sale, her foundation may attempt to buy it to put up a statue for nonbelievers.

There is now a GoFundMe page set up to try and raise enough money to save the art and purchase the property if necessary. Here is how the GoFundMe page describes why they want to keep the Nativity scene,

The Nativity scene located at the heart of Belen is under attack from a group called the "Freedom from Religion Foundation".  This out of state group will sue the city of Belen if the Nativity scene created by an artist commissioned by the Tabet family in 1992 to honor Theresa Tabet, their grandmother. The Nativity was originaly placed at the park where the Heart of Belen gazebo now stands.  It was dedicated to Theresa Tabet over 40 years ago for the volunteer work she did for the city.  As any Belen resident knows, (but out of town special interest groups apparently do not), Belen is Spanish for Bethlehem.  This Nativity scene is an important and beloved piece of Belen's culture for both Christians and non-Christians.  It is not inherently religious and is a beautiful piece of art!

The city of Belen is not rich and litigation to keep the Nativity scene will not be cheap.  Please help us preserve our city's culture with a donation to this GOFUNDME site.
Belen MainStreet Partnership, Belen's preservation 501c3

The only worry that the city has is if there would be a lawsuit that would be costly for them to continue their fight to keep the scene on city land. The GoFundMe page was created to try and help combat any costs the city may face.

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