Nativity display lawsuit: Atheists vs. Christians

by Scott77 26 Replies latest social current

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  Scott77

  	I lean towards Athesim but my motto is if you don't like it, don't look!
  	diana netherton

  In other words, are you stating that atheists have a valied legal regal to be party to this lawsuit?

  Scott77
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  Knowsnothing

  It's petty.
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  Band on the Run

  The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled on creche cases. To make it palatable with the First Amendment, a traditional creche (the Holy Family, the Magi, angels, sheep, etc.) must have secular holiday items added, such as Santa Claus and reindeer. As a believer, I prefer a traditional creche on church or private property. This is settled law so I may have missed something.

  There is no right to have only your religion in a public space. The Ten Commandment cases (McCreary County and Van Orden) also apply. You need historical documents, with no religious input, to sanitize a public display of the Ten Commandment cases.

  The problem with Establishment Clause cases is that the Court uses broad, sweep language but fails to apply the language in a consistent manner that trial courts can use in routine cases. The justices note what a quagmire the EC jursirprudence is.

  Factual details make a big difference. I believe creches at a church are nice. Santa Claus and reindeer turn me off. I am no longer a little kid.
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  Scott77

  	" A lawsuit seeking the removal of a Jesus statue near a Montana ski resort will go on after a national group of atheists and agnostics produced a local member who says he is offended by the religious symbol whenever he swooshes down the slopes"
  	http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/29/judge-rules-atheist-court-case-seeking-removal-jesus-statue-meant-as-world-war/?intcmp=obnetwork

  

  The screaming headline this time is, " Judge rules atheist court case seeking removal of Jesus statue meant as World War II memorial near Montana ski resort can continue". Before, the closely related issue was in San Franscisco, now the atheists and their supporters have moved to Montana state. Even more troubling is that the judge is siding with them. When will they stop? I confess, atheists are much better and harmless than the Watchtower. Like Gays and women, they are slowly getting established.

  Scott77
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  Band on the Run

  No Christian has any right to have their religion endorsed in a public space. No religion has the right. The atheist argument makes sense to me. They are merely asserting their const'l right. No one is denied the right to erect a religious display on private property. We are not a Christian nation. There is separation of church and state. I know from reading the actual cases that a creche can be transformed into a harmless commerical holiday display by adding secular elements.

  As a Christian who tradtionally attends the service where the creche is blessed in church, the idea of Santa Clauses and reindoors with candy canes sickens me. Creches are a religious statement. The proper place is on believer's property or a church. Public squares are unacceptable.

  The Supreme Court has already held this is the proper rule. Imagine how a Jewish person feels seeing all the Christmas stuff only. Imagine being buddhist or having no belief. Display in a public square denotes that the govt. approves the message.

  This is current Establisment Clause case law. It was not this rule for a very long time. Our society is more complex with many different faiths than at the Founding.

  I miss beautiful creche displays. No one is stopping anyone from their belief. We are not a Christian nation. Get used to it. With this issue, however, I recall gorgeous creches in the public square. They can be just as nice in a church or on someone's lawn.
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  Hortensia

  Atheist here. I don't really care about religious decorations, but I do agree that public spaces like parks should be secular, non-religious. Religions have assumed rights that they aren't willing to share with the non-religious.
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  Scott77

  Hortensia states, 'Religions have assumed rights that they aren't willing to share with the non-religious' while Band on the Run, thinks,'Creches are a religious statement. The proper place is on believer's property or a church. Public squares are unacceptable. Ok, both of you seem to have valid arguements howver, I would prefer equality meaning the public display right for every faiths. No exception.

  Scott77