SBE Breaking News

California officials issue orders to remove Christmas Angels after a complaint filed by a local resident Irv Sutley.

Irv Sutley filed a complaint with Sonoma County officials, in which he asked the government to remove Christmas Angels, stars, and other ornaments from government buildings all over the county. Irv Sutley, a 65-year-old Marine veteran, believes that the religious ornaments should not be displayed on government buildings as it is against the Constitution.

Irv Sutley, a former warehouse and an atheist, first noticed the Christmas Angels and stars on a Christmas tree in a government building in the north region of Sonoma County. He went inside the office and asked the officials to remove them. Irv Sutley says that the star on the top of a tree is a cult symbol and it represents the Christian cult. Sutley says that the government should remain ‘neutral’ on religion and there should not be any display of religious ornaments on state buildings. He also criticizes prayers in government meetings.

The Sonoma County officials consulted a constitution expert to discuss the complaint filed by Sutley. The County administrator, Chris Thomas, announced their decision on the matter on Monday and asked the county officials to remove stars and angels from the trees. He referred to the 1989 legislation passed by U.S. Supreme Court which stated that Christmas trees, which are otherwise seen as secular, could be seen religious if decorated with religious ornaments and symbols.

This order must have pleased Irv Sutley who does not object to trees as in his opinion Christmas trees are not related to the beliefs of Christianity.

Other residents of Santa Rosa mostly commented about Mr. Sutley’s concerns and the county’s decision in a jokingly manner. A reader of Santa Rosa Press Democrat says,’ I hope a reindeer runs Irv Sutley over.’

Irv Sutley