There was a just a question posted about a nativity scene possibly being taken down because it is set up in a city park. Both the mayor and the cities attorney approved of this.
My question is, would the following work in order for the nativity scene to stay up.
By law, cities can lease out there property for public use. For example, a municipal center can rent out the conference rooms to anyone, by law they have to allow religious organizations to also lease these or else they would violate separation of church and state...correct? So in this case, is there any problem with the city leasing out the land that the nativity scene sits on to a local church for the winter months? This seems that it would be working within the law to accomplish what the people of this city want. Of course, they would have to make that same piece of land available for anyone to lease at anytime.
I'm not a lawyer, but does anyone see a problem with this?
Would anyone still have an issue?
2007-11-07 10:30:38 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Chris and Kenny, I do not think there should be a need for this either...but the fact is that sometimes it is needed if someone complains. This way, they can't complain because it is done within the law.
2007-11-07 11:25:58 · update #1
atheist: Some of those displays would be illegal on private property, so they would be illegal on city property as well.
2007-11-07 11:26:45 · update #2
daljack: You can rent out government property, and schools already do this. There can be craft shows in a school gym if it is rented out. Schools will rent out the gymnasium for people to play basketball. It is done all the time.
2007-11-07 11:27:54 · update #3
I think the city shouldn't have to jump through hoops and find legal loopholes to publicly celebrate Christmas. Just because it has connections to religion does not take away from teh fact that it is an American holiday. It is part of our culture and something we practice and celebrate regardless of our religious beliefs. Personally, I'm an atheist and think Christianity is ridiculously stupid. I hate it. It bothers the piss out of me. But I still celebrate Christmas. It does not make me any less of an atheist. It does not make me Christian in any way. Let the city put up their nativity scene so the people can enjoy it. Let me put up my blasphemous nativity scene on my property so I can enjoy it. Let America be free for at least one day of the year. Can we please?
2007-11-07 10:37:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
America is a Republic. Under our Constitution the rights of the minority have to be as respected as the rights of the majority. I am not Christian, I find the Nativity Scene at Church's to look wonderful. I see the menorahs at Jewish Temples to be beautiful. I also see the purple cloth on the crosses at churches during Easter as fine.
But I do not want them on public ground. A good example of this is Stone Mountain, Georgia. The land was once owned by the Grand Dragon of the Klu Klux Klan. Every Easter he and his followers would climb the mountain and burn a cross. Then for tax reasons he gave the land to the State of Georgia. The next two years he continued to burn a cross. The ACLU and a bunch of individuals and other groups sued and won. The cross burning has stopped.
So if you put up a Nativity Scene, can I burn a cross?
2007-11-07 13:33:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have a problem with a Nativity scene on the same property as a town/government building but I do not see a problem of why it should not be in a park even if it is owned by the town. As long as the town gives space to anyone who would like to put up a display in the park, no matter what their beliefs, then I don't personally find it to be a problem. Now, if the city was going to be selective about whom could have displays and whom couldn't I find that to be a problem and then it would become an all or none issue.
2007-11-07 10:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Can I rent the land and put up a memorial to Satan? Maybe that Hindu goddess with all the breast? Or a tantra temple statue of one of the more wild sex poses? Perhaps a Yule wreath shaped like a pentagram for the pagans?
If the people don't have a problem with the land being rented and used for ANY religious display, then the nativity is fine.
EDIT
You think the more sexual images are illegal? They are real religious images created by cultures that are not as up tight as Christians. They can be seen in many PUBLIC museums all over the country.
The point is, they are ALL illegal on public property because like the nativity scene, they are ALL religious images.
2007-11-07 10:36:48 · answer #4 · answered by atheist 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If nativity scenes are banned, the comparable could ensue with the Christmas tree, that's an emblem left over from the trip that grew to become into taken over with Christmas. in actuality, each and all of the trip decor could quite circulate away - it in basic terms provides to the commercialization of the entire deal besides. i may be a happy Christian celebrating Christmas with out any of the symbols, so do what you decide on with my non secular symbols and relics, i've got have been given Christ in my coronary heart and you will't take that away!
2016-10-01 23:34:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A problem with it? Not so much. But if you're going to do it for the Christians are you likewise going to have to do it for others who may have religious practices deemed bizarre by others? There are still sects who practice animal sacrifice. I guess I wouldn't want to see an altar set up in Central Park where that can happen.
2007-11-07 10:38:09 · answer #6 · answered by colder_in_minnesota 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as the city isn't wasting my tax dollar,and allows all religions(and non religions) participate,I don't care.We had a city near me do something very similar, and all the Christians wanted the festivus display taken down.
Largo Fl.
2007-11-07 10:39:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a lawyer either.....but I don't think you can lease government property......if that was the case schools would do it.
They mayor is not the government.....he's supposed to uphold government laws.
2007-11-07 10:38:06 · answer #8 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are far more of us who believe than those who do not believe
Why do have to pander to that minority?
If they don't want to look, then they shouldn't look.
As a Christian, I detest many of the billboards that show trashy advertising.....Should they remove all that stuff for me?
Yes....according to the rules they want to play by ........but do they?..........nope
There are rules for Christians.....and there are different rules for the rest of the world
2007-11-07 10:42:26 · answer #9 · answered by kenny p 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes I have an issue...
Nativity scenes are way too tacky...
2007-11-07 10:33:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋