2006-11-14 04:34:45 · 9 answers · asked by cirque de lune 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Any private person can display a manger on their own property to their heart's content. Also, any private organziation or company can display such scenes on their private property.
All such displays are protected under the 1st Amendment. And BTW, it was the ACLU that took the case to court and guaranteed that private individuals and companies COULD have such displays, by getting the courts to recognize this private right to display.
However, governments (city, county, state, etc.) cannot display manger scenes, or any other religious symbols, on public property. That is because the govt is not allowed to endorse or promote one religion over others.
The exception is that the govt can set up a general holiday display, as long as they give equal space to all (or at least most) major religions. So, a display that included a manger, a menora (for Hanukah), a star-and-crescent (for Islam) and other symbols would be fine, since the govt is treating all religious equally.
2006-11-14 04:40:21 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
On private property, you may display a manger scene when and where you want. On public property, Municipal(city, County), State or Federal Property it is unlawful to have religious displays of any religion because of the separation of church and State. the Supreme Court decided that Government employees can display small religious symbols on their desks or work areas as long as it is displayed by the employee and is not sanctioned by the government entity.
2006-11-14 12:41:27 · answer #2 · answered by courage 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If that is your religious belief, (mine also) for heavens sake, why are we all so worried about what the law thinks? Don't we have any rights left? Especially if it is YOUR lawn, etc Do what you want. Pretty soon they will not want us to put up a Manger Scene in the front of our own Catholic churches. Stick by your beliefs and display it when and where you want.
2006-11-14 12:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by Skip F 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anywhere on private property is legal.
Anywhere on government property could be seen as the government promoting a religion, violating the 1st amendment. That interpretation is controversial and the Supreme Court has not definitely determined that it would be "illegal" ot display religious paraphernalia on government property.
2006-11-14 12:42:23 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only problem would come if it was displayed by a governmental body, but a private person can display one any time they want.
2006-11-14 12:37:20 · answer #5 · answered by melouofs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only if you include me (the Prince of Darkness) somewhere in the scene.
I prefer to be in the background somewhere. Maybe you could situate me behind Mary so it looks as though I'm looking down the front of her shirt.
FYI... Mary had quite a nice rack on her!
2006-11-14 12:42:49 · answer #6 · answered by BOO! 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Anytime if you have the permission of the land owner
2006-11-14 12:42:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's on private property and no nuisance ordinances are violated, there are no restrictions.
2006-11-14 13:33:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in the season, anywhere. its a freedom
2006-11-14 12:36:17 · answer #9 · answered by lilnuttbutt 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋