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2006-12-25 15:41:55 · 20 answers · asked by bigbruth 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In the US the 1st amendment prevents the government (which would include municipal buildings) from endorsing any specific religion. Since religious displays can easily be interpreted as an endorsement of a particular religion, they are therefore not allowed.
Furthermore, there is simply no need to do so, and it certainly would not be a good use of taxpayers' money. Individuals, non-gov orgs, and businesses of all kinds, are free (legally allowed) to put up religious displays.
It's a common misunderstanding that merchants' insistence on saying "happy holidays" rather than "merry christmas" is a law or somehow a result of government influence. Thus is not at all the case - most merchants just want to be as inclusive as they can of all their customers' religions/a-religions.
2006-12-25 15:56:48 · answer #1 · answered by HarryTikos 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because it infringes upon the 1st Amendment right to religious freedom. When the government allos religious displays in a municipal building, it is in effect endorsing that religion and promoting one religion over another. If the display simply serves a secular purpose, like commercial santa claus images, then that's not a religious purpose and it's permissible.
2016-05-23 06:58:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even as a a Christian, I don't believe that religious displays (even if they're Christian) should be displayed on any building apart from the buildings of that particular faith. Our Constitution expressly states that there shall not be a governmental approved religion. I know that makes some people mad, but if they believe that this country was founded to be a Christian nation, why was the Constitution written with religious prohibitions to the contrary? God is quite able to work outside our self-imposed confines.
2006-12-25 15:49:15 · answer #3 · answered by Turnhog 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the constitution proects freedom of speech for everyone religious displays should not be prohiited in municipal buildings. They be given equal rights along with non religious displays.
2006-12-25 15:46:08 · answer #4 · answered by J T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Municipal buildings serve municipal functions, not religious. Religious groups can sponsor religious displays if they wish, they don't need to burden taxpayers with display space.
2006-12-25 15:48:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They shouldn't. It's about heritage.
I mean the concept that America is the land of justice, liberty and freedom for all is a great lie, so therefore there shouldn't be any Indepence Day displays.
America is about slavery, oppression and greed. If we're going to make patriotic displays, at least they should be truthful!
But we don't, we perpetrate the myth. What's wrong with any other myth?
At least Christmas is a myth about peace on Earth and goodwill to men, giving and receiving, home and family.
2006-12-25 15:47:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because municipal buildings or rather its internal functions have everything to do with running the city, regulations and its laws and nothing to do with running its citizens' choice of spirituality.
We all pay taxes equally but we celebrate religion individually and differently.
There is no place for religion there, does not matter if it is my religion or someone else's the answer would be the same.
2006-12-25 15:48:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, the best answer I can think of would guide your eyes to the Middle-East, where religion and politics have not yet been separated. Religion generates strong feelings in people, and strong feelings generate strong actions.
The purpose of government is to create and maintain order, and strong feelings are not generally associated with order. Think of government and all of its trappings as neutral territory where people of divergent beliefs can come together and behave in a civil fashion for the betterment of all. That neutrality allows each citizen to believe as he choose and asks only some minor accomodations so that everybody can do so. One of those accomodations is that our municiple buildings not have any one religion marking its buildings.
Nobody wants a Taliban America. People come here to get away from that.
2006-12-25 15:53:26 · answer #8 · answered by swylie2000 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The religious people will have to be 'sneeky' like the immoral people have been...through subliminal seducations...
You put up a Christmas Tree, not really religious, but not a manger.
But there is a good thing to this side...I believe in God...God has no color, no actual language but all languages, and in most cases organized religion takes control of people to promote evil in the name of good...
So maybe getting rid of religious symbols may be a good thing, but let us not fall into the trap of removing morality and law and order from public organizations because these laws, ie the commandments are religious...ie do not lie !
Anyway...the greater enemy of religion is the religious character the devil...and there is now proof, concrete proof it exists...
Do you know the story of Adam and Eve...well the original sin may have been found...its called the Jesus Christ Code.
2006-12-25 15:47:53 · answer #9 · answered by Caesar J. B. Squitti 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Brian W. Most people would not accept Satan worshipers and Pagans or their symbols in public. Yet these religions are every bit as worthy (and realistic) as Christianity or Judaism. The U.S. Constitution CLAIMS to protect freedom of every religion, but we all know that is not the case. So, in order to be fair to all religions, and enforce the Constitution, religious symbols should not be displayed in government facilities.
2006-12-25 15:53:24 · answer #10 · answered by Ann 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋