Religious Expression in the Public Square During Holy Days
In 1998, attorney Mathew D. Staver, Esq. wrote that, “Nativity scenes on public property and religious Christmas carols in the public schools are rapidly disappearing from American culture. The loss of religious consensus and the “separation of church and state” myth have contributed toward the demise of
The display of nativity scenes takes on two forms: publicly-sponsored and privately-sponsored, both of which can be displayed on public property. A publicly-sponsored nativity scene is one that is erected and maintained by private citizens. Both are constitutional, and both can be displayed on public property. The main difference is that a publicly-sponsored nativity scene should have some form of secular display in the same context, while a privately-sponsored nativity scene need not have any secular symbols, but should probably have a disclaimer.
What are your thoughts on the display of religious symbols, holiday carols, or other demonstrations of religious celebration such as Christmas or Hanukkah? Are you comfortable with any other expressions of faith in the public square, such as public prayer?
Dick Beasley | December 29, 2007 12:29 am
The pilgrims were English separatists who came to America in 1620 and even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than their English counterpart. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor here in the US, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America’s new constitution. Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
It was around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, “A Christmas Carol.” The story’s message being the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England showing members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.
The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention and gifts on their children without appearing to “spoil” them. As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift giving.
The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends.
It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. Over the course of many years, Nicholas’s popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children. His feast day was celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6.
By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when the veneration of saints began to be discouraged, St. Nicholas maintained a positive reputation. After all, everyone prays for the best regarding their children. Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas as it had been done for centuries, nothing could be further from the truth. Americans have truly re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing capitalist nation.
Regardless of your religious preferences, its preaching or your understanding of it , it is our responsibility to know how we arrived at the decision to celebrate.
Ed Myob | December 22, 2007 7:45 am
It was not an oversight that banned the word God from our Constitution. This nation was created SECULAR (religiously NEUTRAL).
The Supreme Court has said that government religious displays must include other faiths.
(Why do so few Christians put the manger scene on their front lawns where it belongs?)
J. D . Scott | December 11, 2007 10:36 am
I firmly belive in freedom of religion. If I choose to display anything of my faith on my property and you don’t like it, then choose another route. This is what I do when I see something offensive. We spend more time and waste more money and resources trying to change others. If you don’t like what is on your television station, then you change the station until a later time, and then you resume normal operations. Christmas is a religious holiday and not an end-of-the-year clearance sale. The Nativity scenes are only out for a month or so. With that said, if a city decides to display theses things on public property, then so be it.
JB | December 1, 2007 1:34 am
I agree that it is our constitutional right to have the freedom of religion, and I support the rights of individuals to display nativity scenes during the holiday season. That said, we need to keep these displays out of public schools and government buildings.
tinall | November 29, 2007 10:02 pm
I believe it is our constitutional right to have the freedom of religion. I want to have nativity scenes put up. I think others should also put up their symbols if they so desire. It is a public square. If others want to demonstrate during their holidays, then by all means do. However, please don’t infringe on my religious beliefs. I feel America was built on Christian values. The MAJORITY of people chose to come to the USA knowing this.
” If you don’t stand for anything you’ll stand for nothing at all.” I feel this politically correct thing is weakening America… “United we stand, Divided we fall.” I love my freedom; that’s why I decided to live in the USA. I don’t feel as though others should be offended by it. I wouldn’t be offended if someone put up their religious symbols. Please don’t be offended by mine.