(Newser) – It began as one of those typical fights over a public nativity scene, but this spat took a nice twist: Atheist Patrick Greene threatened to sue over such a scene in front of the courthouse in Henderson County, Texas, but he backed off when he learned he had a debilitating eye disease, reports the Houston Chronicle. Upon hearing the news, members of the local Sand Springs Baptist Church raised $400 to help Greene pay his bills, reports TylerPaper.com.

“Why not turn this into something else?" explains a church member who organized the collection. "This is a great opportunity to turn the other cheek and show God's love." As for Greene, he says he is appreciative of the gesture from "real Christians." As a thank-you, he even bought the group a star to put atop the nativity scene. (He's also getting donations for possible surgery from atheists here.)

