National backlash has followed the Kansas City manager’s decision to ban Christmas symbols from City Hall.

“To ensure City Hall remains a welcoming space for everyone and to honor the separation of church and state,” City Manager Mario Vasquez informed the city council in a memo, “we will not display religious symbols as part of our holiday decorations. This helps us respect the wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs held by our employees, visitors, and residents.

“We will still make the building feel festive with secular/cultural décor. That includes items like decorated trees, winter greenery, lights, poinsettias, and cultural symbols such as the Kinara representing Kwanzaa. These decorations celebrate the season without representing any specific faith tradition.

“Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep City Hall a place where everyone feels included during the holidays.”

But does that include Christians?

Among others, national radio host Todd Starnes blasted the announcement.

“The Baby Jesus is no longer welcome inside City Hall in Kansas City,” Starnes, former Fox News personality and now host of The Todd Starnes Show, posted on Facebook.

“So, it’s okay for staffers to celebrate a make-believe holiday like Kwanzaa, but not the birthday of Jesus?”

Starnes quoted Councilman Nathan Willett as being “disgusted and discouraged” by it.

Willett posted on Facebook: “Christian symbols among other faith traditions during this season should be proudly displayed in City Hall. It’s okay to have traditional pagan symbols but not others?”

“The city manager,” Starnes added, “seems to believe the only way to be inclusive is to banish the Christians. There’s no room at City Hall for the Baby Jesus.

“These godless Democrats don’t pull this crap on the Muslim holidays — just the Christian holidays.”

The Heartlander has asked the city for comment.

“I am Jewish,” one commenter writes under Starnes’ post. “I celebrate Hanukkah but when I walk past a Nativity scene I stop, and look at it and I don’t get insulted. What is wrong with these wingnuts?”

“In Kansas?” another commenter asks. No, Missouri – a state arguably more conservative than the Sunflower State across State Line.

“There is NO Christmas or ‘season’ without JESUS,” writes another.

“Everyone should feel comfortable, except the Christian, who celebrates the birth of the Lord,” notes another.

Others write:

“It’s called Christmas for a reason.”

“Too many people believe Christmas is built around sales at their favorite retailers. So sad.”

Others are calling for action.

“I need some help from actual Christ followers. This is a letter from a city manager. Being Christians that are valiant is what we do,” reads a post at a Facebook account called Christian Business Owners Networking. “These things will not stop until we stand up for ourselves.”

The post suggests people reach out to whitehouse.gov/contact.

“Don’t be shy. This guy will be responsible for the destruction of Christianity in his city.”