Show of Hands

It's not about it being offensive. I don't think anyone would say they are offended by a christmas tree, thats dumb. the question is whether its constitutionally acceptable to place religious symbols in a government building.

I've always been perplexed by the worship of 'Satan.'
His very concept of existence originally comes from Biblical texts. Why would you 'worship' a cruel villain that is decimated at the end of the story?
Unless... The belief is that Satan is simply a victim of a Biblical smear campaign? Hmmmmmm...

Shouldnt*

It's that time of year folks.
The time of year when Fox "News" starts to pander even more to the religious right and talking about "the war on Christmas". It happens every year.
A war that doesn't exist.

Secularism by definition is not a religion. Fail.

Public property isn't an appropriate place to display your personal beliefs

And what about the native Americans?? Small pox blankets ring a bell?

No real genocide in our history??? Ever heard of the eugenics program? Or Japanese internment camps? And no slavery was not written into the dec of ind. all men created equal referred only to WHITE MALE PROPERTY OWNERS.

Also, Doopy- I applaud your intent. You are I likely agree on more than we disagree.
Still, the Middle Ages church nearly destroyed humanity through 'doctrine.'
It is expressly what the Pilgrims and later the US Founding Fathers sought to prevent from happening again.

I may be an atheist but I honestly don't mind those things. It's a persons right to put what they want up so if I wanted to put an atheist thing up they should complain.

If the city halls also have similar displays for Chanukah, Eid, Divali, The Solstice, etc. then I'm OK with it. As long as no one religion's myth is presented as "true" or "better" I think it would be constitutional.

Doopy- tread wisely in assuming what others believe.
I assure you, I am the furthest example of a 'secularist' that one could imagine.
For what it's worth; I have read the Bible in its entirety, including various translations, texts, Strong's numbers, etc.
The book is about liberty, not control

I don't think anyone is offended by Christmas. That's ridiculous. It's a question of whether is is constitutionally acceptable to place religious symbols in a government organization. That's a completely different matter then someone being offended.

Atheist and I could care less what type of Religious display is put up. I believe in God as much as I believe in Unicorns and wouldn't get offended if someone put up a fancy flying Unicorn display either. I really don't understand why people make a big deal about these things.

Nativity scenes are in fact not at odds with the intent of the 1st amendment. Outlawing them, even on public property is.

It's called PUBLIC for a reason? You may not believe in Christianity but it's someone else's choice. It's not denying you yours. And if it offends you to the point where it should be prohibited, you may be the one with a problem.

So reading this, those that said yes please explain how displaying religious symbols violates this Amendment? As long as there is an option to display all religious symbols on each ones given holidays. I have no problem with any religions. Not allowing on public property is more of an infringement.

>Implying there are actually people that worship the devil ????

You, along with the majority of secularists, mistake the words Christian Nation for Christian Theocracy.

Maybe so, but I don't really care. The trees are nice to look at, the nativity scenes are weird though. It's not like Christmas is a religious holiday anymore anyway, to be honest.

For Murph:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Atheists are actually the leaders in the genocide department, part of why we have no real genocide in our nation's history. Abolition of slavery was a Christian idea and written into the Declaration of Independence. So, yeah, thanks for the supporting evidence, Abolitionist.

Exactly! Religion shouldn't be endorsed federally... But it shouldn't be openly discouraged, either!

Were we indeed a nation of Judaeo-Christian law; there would be federal mandates concerning adultery, Saturday sabbath observance, vulgarity, kosher foods, church tithe, etcetera ad nauseam.
The founders knew freedom of conscience was more vital than religious doctrine. Again, see: THE DARK AGES

The free exercise of religion occurs in YOUR yard, not on government property.

Well, according to that, there is freedom of religion... So its kind of a contradiction. But it should never be prohibited to love God.

RoadtoRuin, that sentence could be taken... Differently.

...but US civil law found commonly in the Torah is also native to a majority of the world's religious philosophies.
Murder, deceit, and theft are all commonly universally revoked by society. That's where the line was drawn.

Correct. It's a tree.

That's not even the true wording of the 1st amendment.

It's bc it's on government property. In the US, government is prohibited from endorsing any religion.

The government was built to be secular.

As a bit of an amateur historian with additional study of theology; I'm amazed at the misconception generated by pundits that the US was founded as a 'Christian' nation.
Another example of history teachers not educating effectively enough!
Yes, many of the founders were practicing Christians...

It's not the "holidays"? What makes YOUR holiday so special that it's the only one that counts? Hanukkah started way before xmas. Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa and the New Year are also part of the holiday season, so that's why people say "happy holidays". Get over yourself!

Christmas trees are fine. They have no inherent religious significance.

Nativity scenes are problematic, because they depict an event with major religious significance. Technically, they are unconstitutional on government property.

On the other hand, I don't think it is worth fighting over.

It dosent bother me really. What really bothers me is people so sensitive and Whiney they are offended by this stuff. What's next, no Santa hats or Christmas carols? Agnostic btw

Great, so Shepard's, mangers, trees and babies offend you??
If it didn't happen that is all that is being depicted.

Merry Mythmas!!!

A Christmas tree isn't a law

Well, apparently Daniel made friends with the lions and petted them

I believe that we cant censor religious beliefs, but people should take other beliefs into heart before they put these up.

As long as they set aside space for every religion, and one section for nothing. Lol.

I'm an atheist and I don't freak out if someone says merry Christmas. That's just dumb, I doubt any atheist would react that way. The question of government sponsored religion is something else entirely.

Can't wait to put up my pole tonight

If everyone can put what they want there regardless of beliefs then it's fine

Technically and putting personal opinion aside... It's an easy yes. There's no debate about it.

Thank you. Well said. Individuals are free to believe or say whatever that want. No one is trying to stop people from expressing their religious views. Just keep it out of the government.

But, ryno and Dom, to Jews, God does NOT mean Jesus.

Festivus, for the rest of us!

Yeah, of course it was founded on Christian principles. I mean, what's more Christian than genocide and slavery?