Crucified Santa Skeleton Taken Down From Loudoun County Courthouse Lawn (PHOTOS)

Courthouse's Crucified Santa Skeleton Taken Down (PHOTOS)

WASHINGTON -- The Loudoun County Courthouse is no longer home to an unusually inflammatory Christmas display -- a skeleton in a Santa suit, hanging on a cross.

The crucified Santa was put up by Middleburg, Va., resident Jeff Heflin Jr.

According to Leesburg Today, Helfin said in his application to erect the skeleton St. Nick the display was intended to "depict society's materialistic obsessions and addictions and how it is killing the peace, love, joy and kindness that is supposed to be prevalent during the holiday season."

Some Loudoun County residents did not appreciate the display. On the "Mommy Life" blog, one such resident suggested tracking down the person who put up the crucified Santa and singing Christmas carols in front of his house.

By noon on Monday, a private citizen had taken down the display, reportedly in front of a deputy, leaving the display in a red and white heap on the courthouse's lawn.

"More controversial displays are expected to appear between now and the end of the year," Patch reports.

According to Leesburg Today, these other displays will include a nativity scene, a "sign showing a picture of the Easter Bunny, Santa and Jesus Christ with text that states, 'Myths for Young and Old,' a quote from Thomas Edison and information about the Loudoun Atheists," two tributes to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and another nativity scene.

Loudoun County grants permits for the courthouse lawn displays on a first-come-first-served basis, leading to yearly gnashing of teeth over controversial displays put up by speedy secularists who get their applications in early. Last year's displays included "four atheist signs, a Christmas tree, a letter from Jesus, two nativity scenes, a Christian sign and a Jediist display," according to the Loudoun Times.

The Jediist display was a tribute to Star Wars, put up by Leesburg resident Eric Santiago, who told the Loudoun Times the display was meant to "highlight the ridiculousness of courthouse displays."

RELATED VIDEO: Loudoun County promotional video, "Experience the Majesty of the Holidays in Loudoun County, Virginia"

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