Hot Topic (11/28): Should nativity displays be banned in public places?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

 Washington State Bans Holiday Displays Inside Capitol

The new rules -- set to take effect Dec. 1 -- came after repeated protests from The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Washington-based atheist group, over holiday décor inside Capitol campus buildings in Olympia.

The nativity crèche and the menorah are no longer welcome inside the Washington state Capitol after Gov. Chris Gregoire banned non-government displays, including religious ones, from inside the building.

The new rules -- set to take effect Dec. 1 -- came after repeated protests from The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Washington-based atheist group, over holiday décor inside Capitol campus buildings in Olympia.

The rules, which were officially signed into order by Washington's Department of General Administration on Oct. 30, still allow the annual state-sponsored holiday tree inside the Capitol rotunda. The new restrictions reportedly apply to all buildings and four parks managed by the general administration on the Capitol campus.

Last December, the atheist group erected a plaque on Capitol grounds that read: "There is no God and religion enslaves minds and hardens hearts" -- sparking a heated dispute over holiday-season displays inside Capitol buildings.

"The state government caved to a select few Scrooges or atheists, where 95 percent of U.S. citizens celebrate Christmas," said Ron Wesselius, a resident of Olympia, Wash., who has previously displayed his nativity scene inside the Capitol and who challenged the state in court over the new rules.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, told the Associated Press in November she was pleased about the new rules but added that they don't go far enough.

"I don't think Nativity scenes belong on the outside of Capitols either," Gaylor said.

She promised to erect a large sign if a Nativity is allowed this year on the Capitol campus.

"We will match whatever they do," she said. "I don't think the public will be any happier about it on the outside than they would be on the inside. I encourage the state to avoid the entire debacle."

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Your reaction?

Do you want nativity scenes (and other religious symbols) to be displayed in public areas?

What's your opinion on this issue?

[survivorinohio]

I dont think they should be banned, but any group that wishes to have their symbolism displayed should be able to do so.

[Goodwoman614]

Separation of church and state all the way, baby.

I admire, respect and support what the FFRF does. 

And it makes way better sense than trying for equal time for any and all faiths to display.

That is not the purpose of the overwhelming majority of public places and spaces where these types of displays have become an issue.

What part of PUBLIC is difficult?  We, the people.  Means ALL the people.  Representative government.  Say it with me now, "of the people, by the people and for the people."  And why yes, that would be ALL the people, not just some, or even the majority.

[tericared]

Quoting Goodwoman614:

Separation of church and state all the way, baby.

I admire, respect and support what the FFRF does. 

And it makes way better sense than trying for equal time for any and all faiths to display.

That is not the purpose of the overwhelming majority of public places and spaces where these types of displays have become an issue.

What part of PUBLIC is difficult?  We, the people.  Means ALL the people.  Representative government.  Say it with me now, "of the people, by the people and for the people."  And why yes, that would be ALL the people, not just some, or even the majority.

 

 

this

[Della529]

Religious scenes can be added and taken away.  I don't really mind any religious theme as long as it is paid for outside of taxpayer dollars and is taken down upon conclusion of the holiday.

What I do mind is ANY religious symobolism permanantly etched in a public building.

[NearSeattleMom]

Quoting survivorinohio:

I dont think they should be banned, but any group that wishes to have their symbolism displayed should be able to do so.

I agree with you.  Put up a Christmas display at Christmas.  Let other religions put up their symbolic displays at the appropriate season. 

I don't think that the atheist display should be put up at Christmas, though, as a counterbalance.  Don't the atheists have their own special day they can "celebrate"?  ;)

[cowgirlsr2]

Your reaction?It's bullshit they could of added something to it or simply ignored itthere only up for an average of 1 month.

Do you want nativity scenes (and other religious symbols) to be displayed in public areas?Hell yes

What's your opinion on this issue?what's next no holiday or christmas trees near windows or for sale in public places ?How about ornamants or cards are those going to have to be placed were not in easily viewed areas?.And decorating your yard is this going to banned as well if you live in town?

[tericared]

Quoting NearSeattleMom:

Quoting survivorinohio:

I dont think they should be banned, but any group that wishes to have their symbolism displayed should be able to do so.

 

I agree with you.  Put up a Christmas display at Christmas.  Let other religions put up their symbolic displays at the appropriate season. 

I don't think that the atheist display should be put up at Christmas, though, as a counterbalance.  Don't the atheists have their own special day they can "celebrate"?  ;)

Why is it OK for one group to do it and not another?

[Godgaveme4]

First of all I laugh at how threatened his group feels each year.  It is truly funny.  I have never heard of a group of people protest and feel threatened by something they do not believe in.  It is truly funny.

Next, Seperation of church and state is not being breeched.  Now if the idiots we have running our state started requiring everyone to show up at th capitol and bow down to the nativity or cow or whatever , then that would be crossing the line of church and state.

Seperation of church and state means that the state can not force a particular religion on its citizen.  And the church is not to be involved in government business.  And the government is not to have a hand in th church's business.

[survivorinohio]

Quoting Della529:

Religious scenes can be added and taken away.  I don't really mind any religious theme as long as it is paid for outside of taxpayer dollars and is taken down upon conclusion of the holiday.

What I do mind is ANY religious symobolism permanantly etched in a public building.

I agree with the first part entirely.

The last part I accept, though having grown up with it changing it all seemed harsh, but I get it.

[survivorinohio]

Quoting tericared:

Quoting NearSeattleMom:

Quoting survivorinohio:

I dont think they should be banned, but any group that wishes to have their symbolism displayed should be able to do so.

 

I agree with you.  Put up a Christmas display at Christmas.  Let other religions put up their symbolic displays at the appropriate season. 

I don't think that the atheist display should be put up at Christmas, though, as a counterbalance.  Don't the atheists have their own special day they can "celebrate"?  ;)

 

Why is it OK for one group to do it and not another?

I agree all groups who wish to erect displays should be able to do so, even the Atheists.  All displays should be funded privately.