What are your views on Christmas displays in government buildings?

Question

I am a Christian, but any Christmas theme relates to Christ and violates the seperation of chuch and state. I know that having a Christmas related item on display in a government building doesn't make that country only Christian, but, at the same time, its symbolic of that. Be a Christian, and be it loudly, but keep it out of the government or some one within that government will abuse the glory of Christ for their benefit by saying that everything they're doing is ordained by Christ. That's what happened in the Middle Ages. The Catholic church back then was a political institution, not a church. This is what I think, though. What about you?

Thanks for all the varied answers. I see many good points. God bless!

Answer 1

oh i have no problem with Christmas trees, wreaths, twinkly reindeer and such but crosses and naivety scenes push it too far. tho my life is too busy to fret over such things i can understand why some folks would prefer not to have overtly religious symbols displayed on government property.

Answer 2

Well, the Japanese are not primarily christian, but Christmas is very popualr there. It really is a big materialistic holiday. Christ's actual birth, if you do your history, is in March (might be April, but it is in the spring).

The christmas holiday as we have it now occurs close to the pre-christian winter solstice. This was a development of the early church to encourage conversion; with old holidays intact, people didn't have to change customs, just their devotions.

In short, with the religious nature of the holiday being very much based on who you are and what you personally think, I really couldn't care less about christmas displays anywhere. People should be able to celebrate. I just think that if people of other religions want to put up their holiday displays they should be able to.

The way I see it, many different displays says, "Our country has many religions and none is held down by the government." That is a better message of the separation of church and state, I think, when you think about it.

Answer 3

I love the Christmas season. I loved it as a child (no religion) with Santa, etc. I loved it as an adult (Atheist). And I love it now as a Christian. It would be very sad if Christmas were just a religious holiday. Then we would just go to Church and that would be it. How boring is that!? The Christmas season of my youth was different than it is now. No one objected, it was just a fun time for everyone. Santa came to school. There were Christmas trees everywhere and everyone said "Merry Christmas". It really had nothing to do with religion for most of us. So I really don't see why we have to take it out of everywhere. I am talking about the tree, lights, etc. I am not talking about a manager scene or anything. I can see why that should not be there. But Christmas has become far more than just a religious holiday and I would not want it to disappear.

Answer 4

It really depends.

Is it public or private money? If it's public money, and especially if the display is overtly religious (nativity scenes, for example), I think non-Christians can and should object.

In theory, if it's sufficiently secular in nature, I'd have no objection. The question, however, is whether the issue represents the camel's nose. The Christians really want prayer in the schools and the 10 commandments posted at the court houses and my gut is that an "innocent" holiday display is just the tip of the iceberg with these people.

Answer 5

This country was founded by men inspired of God, and in so doing, they founded these United States on the fundamental values of Christianity. The display of Christmas decorations is merely a reflection of those values. The founding fathers created the first amendment to allow for the freedom of religion - not freedom from religion altogether.

The First Amendment states, "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." (see link one below)

This country was founded upon Christian beliefs and those beliefs continue to be its core today. That is why, upon inspection of any legal currency, you shall find the words, "In God We Trust."
This country also is under the rule of the majority. These issues would not even be considered at all were it not for the fear to offend someone. Many do not realize, however, that in trying to prevent the offense of one, hundreds more are inconvenienced and offended as well. If the Non-Christian minority does not like living in a Christian country, MOVE OUT!

Answer 6

First, I disagree that the Catholic church was only a political institution. It was sort of both. It was involved with the governments, and probably too much so.

But with religious displays in government buildings, I don't have a problem with government workers having a bible on their desk, Christmas cards on their bulletin boards, things like that.

I wouldn't have a problem with Christmas displays, IF they also allowed Menorah, Yule, Solstice, etc. It's the honoring of single religions, to the exclusion of others that bothers me.

Answer 7

You offer a cogent and articulate statement. Thank you. I in turn would appreciate learning how the separation of church and state in any way applies to religion and state. The church/state provision was in relation to a particular brand of church.
I applaud your evangelical fire, but the abuse is a problem of the person, not the display. The same persons exist in the church and business. While the ROMAN Catholic church had enormous political power/influence, I think we both would be hardpressed to suggest it was not a church during those years.
I think what you fear is a theocracy which have indeed had a lousy run. There is a distinction in that from democracy w/ a separation of CHURCH/denomination and state.
Thank you again. fun question.

Answer 8

I think there are worse things to worry about than Christmas trees in government buildings and town halls. If it brings a sense of well-being and happiness among those who are around it every day, then it's harmless. II respect your viewpoint, but I must differ. I'm more concerned about what these people are doing behind those well-decorated office doors. They have many tools, not just Christ's glory, that they abuse daily without our knowledge. With much respect to you, I think you're reading way too much into what a Christmas tree in a lobby represents. I think whether Christmas decorations are in a government building or not, they will always be inclined to use Christ as one of their manipulative tools.

Answer 9

It was never a problem in the past, but now days the Govt wants to please everyone. Well wait and see if this great country survives when God leaves and turns out all the lights. We can have the greatest army in the world but if God doesn't help and isn't with us then we are lost and will lose any battle. Look at the old testament when Israel was doing right then God took care of them, and when they sinned they couldn't win over anyone. We will be the same when God has completely taken his hand off of us.. The Christmas displays are only a sign that this country is ashamed of the living God.

Answer 10

I think a democratic government is inherently representative of the people. Therefore, if there are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, and Buddhists in the society, then there should be Christan, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, and Buddhist symbols of winter celebrations on display.
I agree however, that the whole issue shouldn't be taken so seriously considering every "Christmas" tradition (except for candy canes and the nativity) are essentially paegan in origin (I mean, Jesus wasn't really born on December 25th or even in the winter for that matter); Jewish people don't consider Channukah to be that big of a holiday; and Kawanzaa isn't religious at all.

Answer 11

I really have to say deep down inside I think they should be allowed. But as you mentioned the seperation of church and state prevents the state from interfering in religious matters. Or as you put it even better, the state ended up corrupting Christianity during the middle ages to such an extent it became a political institution.

Still banning Christianity from having nativity scenes in non public places such as shopping malls is just plain wrong if the majority culture is Christian. Other cultuers want us to accept their culture by nullifying our own culture -- that to them is the meaning of equality. To my mind the person who asks that a nativity scene be taken down from shopping mall is a bigot. We live here, it's our culture and nullifying it by taking down nativity scenes is racist and bigoted and I think it's about time we called people who ask us to nullify our culture so they can feel "comfortable" exactly what they are - bigots.