Nativity Scenes on Public Property?

Question

Why must a Nativity Scene be placed in a park or on public property. Is not putting the Nativity Scene on public property an act of religion. Why can't the Muslims put up the sword and star during Ramadan? Why can't the Jews put up a minorah during Hannukah? Why can't the atheists put up a sign that there is no religion? Why can't the Morons put up a memorial to the founders of their church?

Which religion do you want the state religion to be. If only Christianity is the right one, what is wrong with all the other faiths? Are Christians so single minded that they can't allow for the beliefs of other people? Why not put the Nativity Scene in front of a church? Why disenfranchise entire religions?

Please do not quote chapter and verse to this question. I believe in my religion. You can believe in your religion. The only thing I am asking is why can't we both let the other live with their choice? Is it necessary to convert the world?

I am very sorry about my mistake. I proof reread this question a few times but missed Mormons and mistakenly dropped the second M. I really do appologize.

Vuk Bronkovic your statement is insulting and a violation of the terms of service of Yahoo Answers. I asked a question about a serious topic, if you do not want to answer it, leave it alone. If you want to hide behind your keyboard and be a troll do it somewhere else.

me me, thank you for pointing out my mistake. I was just trying to think of possible other examples. I had forgotten that point about Islam and wish you Peace.

I did not set out be make people upset. I do object to any religion using public funding or public property to display any particular religion. I do NOT object to the display on any private property. Like some of the people have said, I enjoy driving through neighborhoods and looking at the lights at Christmas time. I have seen some great Navity Scenes in front of churches, some of them with real people playing the roles in the cold.

My only question I guess is where do my rights end and your rights begin. I do know that Christianity is the largest group in America, but our Republic was founded on the rule of the majority with the protection of the MINORITY.

To everyone I wish the proper Holiday spirit. My intent was not to insult, my insult was just to ask if my view was right or wrong. So far the answer seems to be my view is right and wrong.

Bill

I have learned I should never be a copywriter:
To everyone I wish the proper Holiday spirit. My intent was not to insult, my insult was just to ask if my view was right or wrong. So far the answer seems to be my view is right and wrong.

Should have read:
To everyone I wish the proper Holiday spirit. My intent was not to insult, my intent was just to ask if my view was right or wrong. So far the answer seems to be my view is right and wrong.

Answer 1

This nation is supposed to honor our freedom of religion. And I thank God that despite the attempts to undermine that by the more fundamentalist groups to mean, the freedom to impose over the civil rights of others, we still have laws in place to help prevent such roughshod behavior. Sometimes it is a matter of mob mentality whether or not it is challenged or allowed.

On taxpayer funded public property and using taxpayer funds to put up religious displays,I am completely against it. That would imply to me the Constitution was weakened by violation of that wall that separates religion from government. It would give appearance of government endorsement of religion. I do not believe any taxpayer's money should fund religion.

As a Jew, Hanukkah is meant to be shared as a celebration of a victory over religious intolerance and Hanukkia Menorah's are placed in windows to share that light of religious freedom with all. However, it would be shameful to me to see any taxpayer funds support creating a Hanukkah display on government property.

Don't try to appease me to think that abuse of taxpayer money to endorse one religion will be ok if a few bones are tossed to others to allow them to do the same. Two wrongs don't make a right.

I live in Arkansas where prayers to Jesus still happen at graduations from Kindergarten through high school and beyond, where Jewish children are denied perfect attendence for only missing Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur but school closed for the opening week of DEER SEASON!

Christmas displays of nativity scenes still appear on our courthouse lawn, the city tax monies pay for Christmas decorations and as a child, I loved to look at it. The displays themselves don't offend me in the least. As a mother, I used to drive my young son to the more decorated neighborhoods to view the elaborate lights and we enjoyed this along with our Christian friends.
But I have always felt there should be a distinction made between government taxpayer funding and the freedom to express and display one's religious symbolism for celebration.

If some, Mall owner, large Church, Mosque or Synagogue or a private group wants to make a massive community display for any holiday..Go for it...

...on private property, using private funding.

Just don't undermine our Constitution and Bill of Rights, please.



Shalom

psst. Indie..I think it is some Christians IN government who believe that their right to their religious expression should include using government funds to promote it and proselytize that have allowed this.

I think also that many people aren't reading this question correctly.

Bill is NOT saying that anyone should have restrictions placed on their freedom to display religious symbolism..ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

Correct me if I'm wrong, Bill..but I see it that you agree with me that taxpayer money ( the government) should not endorse or support ANYONE's religion.

Answer 2

The holiday of Christmas has become so secularized that the simple presence of a nativity scene is seen by most as part of the holiday decor, no more religious than a tree or a wreath or a candle or a dove or a star (which all can have religious meanings if you choose, but are accepted secular holiday symbols). There are those like me as a Christian who feel equally discriminated against if all symbols of faith associated with holidays are eliminated (and especially if ONLY the ones referencing Jesus are, while others are allowed to remain) I have seen many public holiday displays where there are symbols of Hanukkah, Kwaanzaa, etc. included as well as traditional Christian symbols, and I don't find this offensive. What offends me is the total secularization of Christmas and the Orwellian (1984) attempts to rewrite history and remove any possible reference to any religion from our public square. That is nowhere near what our founding fathers meant by separation of church and state--it was to protect the free expression of religion apart from a state-sponsored church, not to exclude religious expression from being a part of free speech.

The local, state, and federal government does things with my tax money every day that are against my moral and religious beliefs (abortion funding for starters, but I could list many more) that matter much much more than whether or not there is a nativity scene in public somewhere.
If I have to get over that, then others who don't like the nativity scene should be able to get over that too!

Why not just look at it as a symbol of glad tidings and peace
"Peace on earth, goodwill toward men." in the spirit of the holiday, as the message that the angels told the shepherds? If you don't believe it's real anyway, then why is that so much more offensive than Santa or elves or anything else "magical" that is displayed during this season??

Answer 3

You know Bill, you're one of my favorite people here on Y/A, but I'm a little insulted by your globalization on Christians. Why state a contraversal subject about Nativity Scenes that Christians use, instead of just asking Why can't the others place or advertise, or show their own beliefs? I think you mispelled Mormons. At least that's whom I'm thinking you're talking about when you say, "morons" in your first paragraph.
Also, you're not really allowing the other to live with their beliefs if you're complaining about single minded Christians.
Christmas is representing GOD and who HE is and what He stands for. A Nativity Scene is the whole symbol of the story that is Christmas. Anyone, not just a Church should be allowed to show this on their own property. Any other religion, or non religion for that matter, can celebrate their beliefs as they prefer it.
So I say again, you're not really allowing 'Christians' to live with their choice by stating this. This is a condratictory statement.

Answer 4

As at least one person here has written, it's more the governments' fault than the Christians. Still, with most Christians, there is a kind of religious self-centeredness and shortsightedness going on there. That and the nonrecognition of discrimination and privilege. Many of us just don't see the problem. I know I didn't until recently. My eyes are open these days to the fact that for the most part we only pay token attention to the holidays and celebrations of other religious or spiritual groups. Christmas has become the ultimate act of cultural and religious imperialism, and the springboard for a multi-million dollar big business commercial industry that has nothing to do with the story or teachings of Christ for the most part.

When I visited Ecovillage in Ithaca, one of the other tourists raised almost the same question. He wanted to know if any one religious or spiritual group was dominant there. I wanted to know this too. Nope. The tour guide told us that each group organizes their own celebrations and invites the other residents to participate. Fabulous, and enlightening. Wouldn't it be great if the rest of the world were like this? No one would be left out, and everyone would learn from everyone else.

If I were you I would write some formal complaints and organize others to do the same. I'm talkin' letters to store owners, the Chamber Commerce, newspapers, etc. There is power in the pen and power in numbers.

Thank you for raising the issue. It would be a good topic to raise in my Writing and Speech classes. I firmly believe in the ripple effect.

Answer 5

You really think a nativity scene this time of year is meant to convert you?
I honestly don't think the public property in question would refuse to put a menorah right next to the nativity scene or refuse to put other religious symbols out for fear of being sued.
have you asked this place to put your religious symbol on display at the appropriate time?
I don't think there should be a state religion but the truth is the vast majority of the people living in America are Christians of one form or another. More and more these days Americans are afraid to admit their holiday spirit for fear of offending someone. In my mind that is opposite what should be happening. I feel like wishing someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Hannuka or whichever holiday should be a positive thing. Like, instead of thinking that the person is disrespecting my religion or culture, we should be thinking that this person is inviting us in to share the celebration.
Too many people are walking around with chips on their shoulders. We should all just get along and help each other celebrate.

Answer 6

Here is what I think...I think that each is entitled to their own belief..and it is their right here in America.. if they want to express their individual beliefs anywhere they wish..be it in a park or church yard or even if they don't believe in God...People need to remember that Christianity is not the only religion..and others have the right to express what they feel also... if the other faiths want to put up their signs and religious things they should...it is their right to express themselves just as the Christians do...also I do think that the Nativity Scene does belong in front of a church and not necessarily in a public park..the public park is for everyone to enjoy and not feel intimidated or offended...here in Florida in order to place a Nativity Scene in a public park they must first apply for a license to place it there..and If there are objections they must take it down...It is not necessary to convert the world to Christianity...to each his/her own is what I believe...Donna

Answer 7

Did you really mean Mormons instead of Morons.

I was not under the impression that you couldn't put up a minorah during Hannukah or a sword and star during Ramadan. They can where I live. Feel free to put up anything you want I don't have a problem with it. I would not mind if nothing at all is put out, as long as we are talking public property.

Answer 8

The Supreme Court ruled that a nativity scene (or any other religious holiday paraphernalia like a Menorah) could be placed on public property as long as it was placed along with secular meanings of the holidays, like Santa, Decorated Trees, Snowmen, Presents, etc.

Look it up.

Answer 9

Converting the world and spreading the word of God is their goal and duty. I say - no religion of any kind in the public square since most people are not tolerant of others. Kind of like having little kids - if you can't get along you will not get to play at all. It would be okay on private or church property.

Answer 10

I have no problem with that, especially on public property. Btw, a lot of parks are not really "public" parks, they are privately owned but allow the public access and the city agrees to maintain it.

I'd be leery of the whole sword and star ... are we talking a real sword? lol If it's a picture or some other non-lethal type sword, then okay, but kids are stupid and someone will get hurt lol