Show of Hands

tree, no - nativity, yes. unless you want to include a scene from all religions, I'm against it. and I'm a Christian.

Thank you for your service Saint! We're actually waiting to hear back if my husband got into the academy. I know I'll take it any day over the marines, his original goal, even though its still a dangerous career.

Took you that long to figure it out?

Abolitionist- usually private entities. So you still have the problem with it then? I agree, the federal gov shouldn't pay for it.

Are you really that dense? Making a law. Is that really the same thing I your mind as putting up decorations?

@Abolittionist are you suggesting that being a free country means treating religion as taboo? Prohibiting its expression? Pretending it was not a critical motivator in the formation of this country? Ignoring its significance in the very development of our culture? Please, explain.

Congrats @Abolitionist! Your views, as you summarized, appear to be aligned with the exact religion you condemn. It seems that your negative feelings toward Christianity are based on misunderstanding and the misinformed ideas that society stereotypically thinks Christians actually believe.

In which court was this trial held?

Soooo displaying a secular symbol of consumerism is shoving your religion in people's faces? Unless I'm missing the line in the Bible, catechism, etc. that mentions pine trees and tinsel.

Yes, because a group of people in a stable looking at a baby carries the same exact meaning as a giant image of sex. Because I'd feel just as comfortable with my kids walking into either scenario. Wow.

If it was anti-religious, it would be discrimination.....

If no form of historical art associated with religion should be displayed on public property...then ZERO historical art should be displayed. The history of mankind and especial our nation is intrinsically steeped in religion.

Another example of certain individuals ignoring the wording of the constitution, because it doesn't jibe with their feelings. They then refuse to answer simple questions like, "What law is congress making or what are they prohibiting when a city hall puts up a Christmas Tree?" Ridic.

Sadly many Americans no longer connect Christmas to any part of religious history.
Only the Anti-Christian extremists think that Christmas decor on public grounds violates the separation of church and state.

Someone's forgetting the 14th Amendment's incorporation clause.

I don't bitch when I see a menorah but no Christmas tree. Who really cares?

Is putting up a Christmas tree really "'making a law"? Um, no. It's not. It's putting up a freaking tree. Someone (20% of someone's) needs to take reading comprehension again.

No religious displays on public property. Get your slogan off our money too.

It's clear which party is Communist.

It's not congress setting up the trees and scenes lol.

No it won't. The bill of rights will not be touched anytime soon, and if it is it will be over the 2nd amendment not the first

Chozo, I would have not problem with display of a menorah during Hanukkah, or Muslim symbols during Ramadan, or Hindu symbols during their feasts. I don't think any of that would the government establishing a state religion.

Well I don't have a problem with it so nobody should. Yeah, because that makes sense.

Am I 5th?? ;)

Dabomb, the poll says "in public places". If I own a store, of course I can use religious symbols because that's my property. A public place would be a park/school/library.

Yeah but everyone also has a right to practice whatever religion they want as long as it doesnt jeopardize the safety of others, so why cant a store do the same. Corporations are treated as people in the eyes of the government. People overreact & freak out whenever the see a Christmas tree in public

Nativity scenes are purely religious symbolism, so yes, I'd say those are a violation (just imagine if Islamic symbols were displayed on govt property during Ramadan). A Christmas tree is just a festive pine tree that doesnt even have Christian origins.

Out, maybe this country will have a shot. Instead of wasting all your time over silly insignificant things like what we can and can't say in public or what can and what can't be shown in a govt building. Gimme a break. Spend a day in my shoes

And you still haven't answered what makes you so well versed in the law. Btw. Do you practice it every day. I have no shame. I've been a Police Officer for 12 years. It's more about the practice of the law and discretion than it is the way it's written and when you and yours figure that

Your calling me out. How have I not raised any decent arguments. You have repeatedly sat there and called people names over and over again. I have not once called someone ignorant or a troll or whatever you want to call it. You however do it in the normal course of business

While potentially alienating to people from other religions or even people unaffiliated; nativity scenes at city hall have nothing to do with congress.

Saint- I'm calling you out. You're a troll. You're trolling hard too. Nice. You haven't raise a SINGLE decent argument or point. Just ignorant comment after ignorant comment. Go back under your bridge troll

I'm proud that 80% of us agree that we should be able to display Christmas symbols in public places!

Praet1965 you appear to agree with drome quite often. You should consider better friends.

Drome has been an idiot for much longer than a few weeks.

They are just upset the govt doesn't pay for their Xmas tree. Entitlement society. Maybe we need tree stamps and their view will change.

Oh wait.... Occupy Wall Street? Cut your hair hippy

I'd like to know what you do for a living that makes you so well versed in the law. Cause I deal with it every day. In pretty much everything is up for interpretation. Just saying

You're right. My bad. Too easy to fall for the trolling sometimes

No need to call anyone "bozo". I agree wholeheartedly with you and I've followed your posts. You're way smarter than that. Don't let your irritation with shallow debaters dampen your argument because you raise very good points

I don't see how displaying a nativity scene is anywhere near "making a law." I'm Atheist, and I respect anyone's right to display what they feel, so long as it isn't hateful or explicit. Anyone who thinks that the world should change to fit their own ideals is an idiot and a prude!

The first amendment will be done away with soon, though. "They will think to change times and laws." Daniel 7:25.

Sorry waytogo but here I have to agree with palindrome.
We rarely agree but at least palindrome has arguments - you don't it seems.

It's specifies both. They are also free to express religion. I'm ok with it. But maybe I'm just biased.

It makes me laugh when people like you make a snipe comment and contribute nothing. It's the most transparent way of saying, "I disagree with you but I'm not smart enough to actually join the discussion/argument!"

Think- I've never heard of a gay tree. What the heck is that?? Gay tree...?

Look, it's not hypocritical- it's the constitution bozo. If anyone brings ANY religious activity to a public space, I'm against it. Public buildings and institutions are protected from religious proselytizing. Sorry

... Ok? That was a, er, very deep contribution. Way to go

So once and for all: I said I DEPLORE this ridiculous limitation but claim it is NOT about progressives OR conservatives - the issue is more general and shouldn't be used to discredit progressives in general. Just a bunch of narrowminded people at a college.

@Think : gee - you are so defensive. It is hard not to be misunderstood when you expect resistance. Except in the fire example, I am FOR free speech but doubt it always works out in practice.

@Think : I said deplore and if the tables were turned it wouldn't change my opinion. I'm not progressive but Libertarian.
Of course it's ridiculous to ban the word Christmas - just wanted to remind that such limitations are not leftist domain alone.