Is it a Constitutional right to have a nativity scene in a public school?

Question

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Answer 1

When we were writing the constitution, Ben Franklin was tweaked out of his mind on snuff and suggested putting something in about nativity scenes and flag burning, but we talked him down.

Answer 2

The Constitution prohibits the establishment of an official state religion. It also permits the free exercise of any religion as long as it doesn't interfere with other people's rights. Any single religious display by itself would amount to an endorsement of a religion, unless it was part of a series of presentations exploring different belief systems. A Hanukkah menorah by itself or a creche by itself would be prohibited, but a menorah and a creche together does not present a distinct religious message. Demonstarting the elements of Ramadan could be tolerated if one also demonstrated Passover, Lent and/or Diwali observances at some point (usually in the informational context of a world religions course). Public institutions may not ENDORSE a particular religion, so they may not give the appearance of favoring any one faith.

However, people are free to practice as they see fit in their homes, churches and on private property.

Answer 3

Yes it is according to the first amendment, but in 1963, M.M. O'hare with the help of the Communist Party was able to get an adverse ruling from the Supreme Court and trod on the civil rights of the majority of Americans who were sleeping and unaware of the danger involved. That is why most of you now have few rights to express yourself and do things your way. The Supreme Court now has the right to take your rights by international law which they say over-rides our constitution. And I bet most of you thought it was a religion thing.

Answer 4

No. Seperation of church and state was fundamental to what this country was founded upon. You have the FREEDOM to worship whatever way you choose without using the GOVERNMENT (ie public schools) to promote that belief-- and the freedom NOT to worship or have the government PROMOTE a particular religion. Those that don't understand this basic and essential concept and principle of liberty should find another country to live in, you will not be happy here. So anyone is free to have a nativity scene as long as its not on GOVERNMENT property and thus promoting a particular religion.

Answer 5

No, it isn't. But if you keep the religious message sufficiently discrete, I don't think it's a big deal, either. As an Atheist, I'm not offended by a Nativity Scene, I'm just really annoyed by being told what to believe.

Answer 6

Rights and freedoms. Rights are different than freedoms. NO it isn't a right to have a nativity scence. It is a freedom.

So, I have the right to worship as I see fit and the freedom to express that worship in arranging a nativity scene at the school, however that infringes on the rights of others to worship as they see fit...

Freedoms should not prohobit others rights, that is how you decide and flesh out what freedoms one has and what rights one has and where / how they are to be expressed.

Answer 7

We are actually protected by the Constitution to demonstrate our beliefs, but as the saying goes: the wheel that squeeks the loudest gets oiled. The is no such thing as the sep. of church and state in the Constitution, the D ec of Ind., or the Bill of rights.

Having said that, EVERYONE'S rights are protected, including Buddhist, Muslim's, Hindu's, Christian's , all.

Answer 8

Yeah create a difficulty then arise with a answer. Its called the device. The device needs to save turning to create earnings. a good analogy may be throwing someone right into a lake that ought to't swim and then leaping in to maintain them. You recklessly endanger then you grow to be a hero. have you ever seen the record of how many cases the ACLU throws Christians into the lake?

Answer 9

it is only a right to have a nativity scene in a government run building if you admit that it is a false story and therefore no one believes in it and it is not a religion. i mean its not a constitutional right for a school to post pentagrams on the wall during the holiday season is it?

Answer 10

No but really unless you go to like a Christian or Catholic school they shouldn't have one. Because Christmas is a religon thing and it might offend people to have something with Jesus in it. I guess it is kind of Unconstitutional since the constitution promises freedom of religon. In the first ammendment.

Answer 11

It is not a constitutional right to have a nativity scene in a public school. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"