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Christmas displays stir up controversy in Loundoun

A skeleton Santa affixed to a cross and other nontraditional holiday displays on the lawn of the Loundoun County Courthouse have caused an uproar in Leesburg.

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Dec. 16, 2011

Jeff Wismer, in Santa suit, Larry Mendoza and Rick Wingrove — all members of the Nova Atheists and Beltway Atheists groups — argue with Leesburg resident Larry DeSimone, right, about atheist holiday displays on the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds in Leesburg. DeSimone was offended by the displays.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Matthew Courtney, left, and other members of area atheist groups finish putting up a Nativity scene on the courthouse grounds in Leesburg. They call the display the 'Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Nativity Scene.'

Dec. 16, 2011

Matthew Courtney, left, and other members of area atheist groups finish putting up a Nativity scene on the courthouse grounds in Leesburg. They call the display the "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Nativity Scene."

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Atheist group members, from left, Jay Mendoza, Gloria Chepko, Matthew Courtney, Jeff Wismer (as Santa) and Larry Mendoza with their nontraditional Nativity scene on the courthouse grounds in Leesburg.

Dec. 16, 2011

Atheist group members, from left, Jay Mendoza, Gloria Chepko, Matthew Courtney, Jeff Wismer (as Santa) and Larry Mendoza with their nontraditional Nativity scene on the courthouse grounds in Leesburg.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

This cross stands on the grounds of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. There had been a skeleton Santa tied to the cross, but the Santa was taken down and vandalized. The Loundoun County Board of Supervisors discussed the display at a meeting Monday, and deemed the display 'provocative' and 'obscene.'<br>

Dec. 13, 2011

This cross stands on the grounds of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. There had been a skeleton Santa tied to the cross, but the Santa was taken down and vandalized. The Loundoun County Board of Supervisors discussed the display at a meeting Monday, and deemed the display "provocative" and "obscene."

Tracy A. Woodward / The Washington Post

A nativity scene is seen on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. Christmas displays on the courthouse lawn were banned in 2009, but the decision was overturned last year and holiday scenes were once again allowed.

Dec. 10, 2011

A nativity scene is seen on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. Christmas displays on the courthouse lawn were banned in 2009, but the decision was overturned last year and holiday scenes were once again allowed.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Jeff Wismer dressed as Santa lifted the tree that he and other atheists decorated on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. It is one of a few holiday displays on the courthouse lawn.

Dec. 10, 2011

Jeff Wismer dressed as Santa lifted the tree that he and other atheists decorated on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg. It is one of a few holiday displays on the courthouse lawn.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

A holiday tree from the Freedom From Religion Foundation stands on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn in Leesburg.

Dec. 13, 2011

A holiday tree from the Freedom From Religion Foundation stands on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn in Leesburg.

Tracy A. Woodward / The Washington Post

Stephanie Ragusky-Scott, left, and Ellen Birch, right, decorated the atheist tree on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Dec. 10, 2011

Stephanie Ragusky-Scott, left, and Ellen Birch, right, decorated the atheist tree on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

A holiday tree from the Freedom From Religion Foundation stands on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn in Leesburg.

Dec. 13, 2011

A holiday tree from the Freedom From Religion Foundation stands on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn in Leesburg.

Tracy A. Woodward / The Washington Post

Atheist messages hang on the tree decorated on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Dec. 10, 2011

Atheist messages hang on the tree decorated on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Jeff Wismer, left, waved to the honking of a passing car as Ellen Birch, right, looks on, as they posed with others in front of the atheist tree on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Dec. 10, 2011

Jeff Wismer, left, waved to the honking of a passing car as Ellen Birch, right, looks on, as they posed with others in front of the atheist tree on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

This skeleton Santa affixed on a cross was installed at the Loudoun County Courthouse by Jeff Heflin, and was later vandalized. The creator of the skeleton Santa, a high school student, said the Santa represented the American culture of addiction and materialism and how they are “killing the peace, love, joy and kindness that is supposed to be prevalent in the holiday season,” NBC Washington reported.

This skeleton Santa affixed on a cross was installed at the Loudoun County Courthouse by Jeff Heflin, and was later vandalized. The creator of the skeleton Santa, a high school student, said the Santa represented the American culture of addiction and materialism and how they are “killing the peace, love, joy and kindness that is supposed to be prevalent in the holiday season,” NBC Washington reported.

Greg Hudson / Courtesy of Kenneth "Ken" Reid

A skeleton Santa Claus was knocked over and the head went missing on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Dec. 10, 2011

A skeleton Santa Claus was knocked over and the head went missing on the lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Eric Herrman worked to put up a sign at the Loudoun County Courthouse. He and other atheists also decorated a tree on the lawn.

Dec. 10, 2011

Eric Herrman worked to put up a sign at the Loudoun County Courthouse. He and other atheists also decorated a tree on the lawn.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Another holiday sign sits on the Loudoun County Courthouse property in Leesburg.

Dec. 13, 2011

Another holiday sign sits on the Loudoun County Courthouse property in Leesburg.

Tracy A. Woodward / The Washington Post

The Season in Photos

Santa Claus, portrayed by Steve Stickley of Stephens City, Va. gets a kiss from a stray puppy during an open house at the Esther L. Boyd Animal Shelter in Winchester, Va. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo, The Winchester Star, Jeff Taylor)

Holiday celebrations around the world

People around the world celebrate in a variety of colorful, playful and profound ways.

12/05/1999 - PH/MENORAH - CREDIT: Michael Lutzky/TWP - LOCATION: The Ellipse - CAPTION: The official lighting ceremony for the National Menorah on the Ellipse was not held until the third night of Chanukah. Here, the flames smoke after the lighting with the Washington Monument in the background.

Hanukkah starts with National Menorah lighting in Washington

This year’s annual lighting of the National Menorah took place on the White House Ellipse on the first night of Hanukkah.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Aini-Alem Dennis, 10, left, Mikalah Davis, 14, center, and Leilani Gill, 11, right, perform with the Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble during A Kwanzaa Celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursday December 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. The event featured information on the background of Kwanzaa along with drumming and dancing. (Photo by Matt McClain For The Washington Post)

Kwanzaa celebrations across the country

The holiday honors African American culture and is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 every year.

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U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha (L) and Malia pose with children, dressed as elves, at the 'Christmas in Washington' celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 11, 2011. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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US President Barack Obama smiles with daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) while watching First Lady Michelle Obama read to children during the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on December 1, 2011 at The Ellipse in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

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