Gitmo Troops Want Nativity Scenes Removed

One of those annual nativity scene controversies has sprung up, but this time in an unusual place: Gitmo. Several troops at Guantanamo Bay lodged a protest with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation about nativity scenes put up inside two dining facilities, reports the Navy Times. They say the scenes promote Christianity over other religions and want the Navy to move them to a chapel. A spokesperson said the base commander had no immediate comment.

The MRFF says 11 of the 18 troops who filed the complaint are Catholic or Protestant, and the rest are either Muslim, Jewish, agnostic, or atheist, reports AP. "By placing these displays in prominent common areas, the impression is that one faith is better than others and that the military institution singularly promotes Christianity," says the troops' email to the foundation. The dining facilities in question are used by military personnel and civilian camp employees, but not by the prisoners. (More Guantanamo Bay stories.)