Religious displaus on public squares?

Question

I'm trying to understand something. If the First Amendment to the Constitution says "...the Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...," with the phrase "make no law" being the operative element, unless that means the Congress is responsible, also as a matter of law, not simple inference, for creating laws to prevent such a respect, why is it the Congress, or even the Supreme Court's, business if religious displays is put on public land? I understand public discomfort, though I'm not sure how compelling that is on legal grounds, but if the Congress didn't make legislation compelling the displays, what exactly is the Constitutional violation in religious displays on public land? Where is it wit regards to government buildings?

displaus should say displays, sorry about that.

I should clear my head before I type. Oh well. It's understandable enough.

Kathy B, I understand the principle, and probably wouldn't object to a specific law, whether such laws already exist or not aside, to not allow religious symbols, I'm not even comfortable with Christmas being a federal holiday, but where is the violation? If no law is created, why does implied partiality make it a violation to have the displays? Your arguing law from implication, but unless the Constitution placed responsibility on the Congress to prevent implied endorsement, again, where is the violation?

Sorry, Kathy H. I probably confused your name with someone else's.

Answer 1

I don't think government buildings SHOULD have displays of religious content, but I also think that the people who get their hackles up should sit down and get some chamomile STAT.

In the case of LAW, we do need to walk a fine tightrope for Church and State Separation. On the one hand, we don't want to be too restrictive and get nuts about little things like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. On the other hand, we should be VERY cautious that our government doesn't endorse any one religion. That's not its job.

The debate is a good thing, though. It's important to address those topics and have the open discussion. It's when crazy people take the mike that we have to make them sit down and let cooler heads prevail.

I like the question, though, and I like the plethora of people that have come out to answer it with a, "Eh, it's fine by me."

Answer 2

You are starting to think for yourself. This could be dangerous!

You are correct. Congress has made no law. And all legislative power is in the Congress, there is NONE in the Courts. Also, the First Amendment goes on to say Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...". What that mean is that the Congress shall not establish a national church, like the Church of England. It does not say that the federal government shall prohibit any religious display on any public land, or any facility funded by the federal government (whether constitutional or not). But that seems to be the way some people take it.

Read your Constitution. If you don't know your Rights, they will be taken away from you.

ALL RESTRICTIONS IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS ARE ON GOVERNMENT. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTION ON THE INDIVIDUAL.

Answer 3

Public lands are owned by the Government. There has a be separation of church and State per the Constitution---the "State" i.e. Government, can't endorse one religion over another. So, unless they can display something for every religion and do it equally, they can't display anything at all.

The you get into the system of check and balances--that's why the Courts can get involved--to make sure the laws passed by Congress are constitutional.

Government buildings can't endorse one religion over another. It's that simple, really. So--that's why you see Christmas trees and not nativity scenes at your capitol, courthouse and federal buildings.

Here's why they can't imply partitality--Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. That's the first portion of the First Amendment. That has been interpreted to mean the Gov't can't endorse one religion over another. Now, why "Christmas" is a holiday, I can't explain. I suppose I coudl go research the laws and cases and find the reason, but I have too many Christmas presents left to wrap! Happy Holidays! :)

Answer 4

I'm an atheist and they don't bother me at all. Too many others like me think the Constitution gives them the right to go through life un-offended, evidently, and they whine and moan about it like little crybabies. What the hell are they afraid of? That the display gives off some kind of magic radiation that will instantly convert them over to Christianity or something?

Puh-leeze. Get over yourselves... If the vast majority of people think it's OK, and it's not hurting you, why can't you just shut the hell up and act with some class for a change?

Answer 5

inspect john hagee on christian television community and punch in new worldwide order sermon. He stated countless diverse incidents the place a christian grow to be persecuted right here interior the U.S. to boot as in another country. In california there are rules in place the place a guy or woman can sue the church. One tale is going, mum and dad sued a church for brainwashing their baby via fact she ordinary Christ. They misplaced(the mum and dad) yet regulation suits will grow to be further and extra. John Hagee grow to be sued for 10 million over a word he used in a sermon that lined the word Islam_________(the blanks are there via fact i won't be able to endure in ideas the term he used, it grow to be never a cuss word). The church won via fact of our suitable to freedom of speech. yet pay attention for the fairness DOCTRINE ACT this could stress everyone speaking against ,say working example, homosexuallity or islamic terrorists to grant equivalent time to a guy or woman who could consider those matters. however the single expressing the liberty of speech against those matters ought to try this at their price. what's God's will is God's will, we will not replace it. once you're a Christ believing Christian then you've no longer something to be bothered approximately via fact Jesus is on top of issues no longer us. Hallelujah!!

Answer 6

I too am an atheist, I don't object to christian displays in public places so long as no tax money was spent on it.

Answer 7

For the God haters : The 1st amendment also stated that the expression of a relgion is also protected.