TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Despite growing efforts in parts of New Jersey to scale back religious themes in public holiday displays, Mayor Dan Rodrick says Toms River will continue to celebrate Christmas as it was originally intended — with a nativity scene front and center.
Rodrick said the township’s display, which also includes a menorah for Hanukkah, honors both the community’s shared history and its dedication to faith and traditions.
“This is the first national holiday Congress created in the United States,” Rodrick said. “People talk about the separation of church and state, but the establishment clause was just meant to keep the government from setting up a church like the English had done with the Church of England.”
Mayor says display celebrates inclusion, not exclusion
The Toms River holiday display features a traditional manger scene and menorah outside town hall. Rodrick said the response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for what they view as a return to the holiday’s roots.
Although some protested, Rodrick says the majority of the residents in town are with him on the matter.
“We should all be able to express ourselves in the public square,” Rodrick said. “That was the intent of the First Amendment, to make sure that everyone had the right to express themselves religiously however they wanted to.”
He added that the display reflects the beliefs and traditions of the township’s residents. “We’re just representing what a very large number of folks in Toms River are celebrating right now,” Rodrick said.
The menorah is scheduled to be lit during Hanukkah.
Debate reignites over faith in public spaces
Rodrick’s remarks come amid ongoing debate in New Jersey and across the country over how municipalities should balance inclusivity with the separation of church and state.
Rodrick warned against limiting religious expression in public spaces, citing France’s ban on religious symbols among public workers.
“It’s a very dangerous slippery slope,” he said. “We need to make sure we protect all of our rights, our First Amendment rights, especially.”
Community response remains strong
Town officials say the display has drawn praise from families and faith groups across Ocean County. Rodrick said that maintaining the nativity scene and menorah side by side represents both inclusion and respect for faith.