Attorney General Says No Advice Given To School To Ban Christmas

Friday, December 21st 2007, 7:54 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson says a Florida-based group lied when it sent out an Internet blog that accused him of advising a college to refrain from using the word "Christmas." Dozens of people called Edmondson's office Thursday after they read a press release from a group called "Liberty Counsel" that said a Southwestern Oklahoma State University administrator issued the order to employees after receiving counsel from Edmondson's office.

On its web site, Liberty Counsel said a directive forbidding the use of Christmas in written or oral form was issued on the advice of Edmondson.

But Edmondson said he never provided any such advice to Southwestern Oklahoma officials and does not advise the school about anything.

Southwestern Oklahoma spokesman Brian Adler said workers were asked to keep public areas of the campus free of religious decor because not all students celebrate Christmas.

But he says faculty and staff members can decorate their offices however they want.

Attempts to contact Liberty Counsel were unsuccessful.