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Nativity Scenes in Public Spaces: The Controvery Continues

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Nativity Scenes in Public Spaces: The Controvery Continues

It's a heated subject that comes up nearly every holiday season these days. Should nativity scenes of the Christian faith be allowed in public spaces such as a courthouse, city hall, school or other government building or land? Or do these scenes constitute a violation of the separation of church and state, which is supposed to be such an important part of the United States Constitution? The proponents of both sides of the debate can become quite passionate and emotional about the subject, and law suits have even been filed either to take down a nativity scene, or to allow one to remain on display.

How do you feel about the subject? You can let your opinion be heard below, after reading some of the arguments pro and con, as well as studying cases in the past where nativity scene displays have been challenged.

Photo credit: nagygl on morguefile

Past Nativity Scene Controveries

Learn More About This Controversial Subject

The links below will take you to news stories of past controversies regarding nativity scenes in public spaces.
Sunday School class ignites controversy over Nativity scene
Bartow, Florida, 2004. What happened when an adult Sunday School class decided to defy local officials and set up their homemade nativity scene on the yard of the County Administration Building, facing the courthouse.
Humbug! Christmas Steeped in Controversy
2004. A round-up of nation-wide stories regarding the fight between Christian and secular holiday displays, greetings, and even gift-giving in schools.
Letters to the editor: Nativity scene controversy
Green Bay, Wisconsin, 2007. Residents sound off with differing opinions over a controversial nativity scene display at City Hall.
Michigan Man Sues for Right to Put Back Family's Nativity Scene on Public Median
Warren, Michigan, 2009. A man sues in order to regain the right to display a family nativity scene at a public road median, as he had for over 60 years until being ordered not to do so any longer.
Nativity Scene Stirs State Vs. Church Controversy
Jackson, Mississippi, 2010. News video report on reaction to an atheist display placed next to a nativity scene in a state courthouse.
PA Town Removes 57-Year-Old Nativity Scene From Gov't Building: 'Highly Disrespectful'
Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania, 2010. A small rural town in PA is ordered to remove the nativity scene from a borough building. The nativity, donated by the Knights of Columbus 57 years ago, was relocated to a private business.
Nativity scene controversies
Wikipedia section on nativity scenes, describing numerous court cases and rulings related to the display of nativity scenes.

The Argument Against Nativity Scenes in Public Spaces

Common Reasons Given Why Nativities Should Not Be Allowed

  1. Separation of Church and State is a key element of the United States Constitution. There should be no apparent endorsement or encouragement of one religion over any others by our government organizations. This includes the display of blatantly Christian symbols and scenes in places such as courthouse, city halls, and other municipal buildings.
  2. Displays of Nativity Scenes in public spaces are offensive to those of other faiths or who do not follow any faith. It could make someone feel uncomfortable entering a court house or other government building, if he does not share that faith, and make him question if he will be treated equally under the law.
  3. If Nativity Scenes are to be displayed in public spaces, it should only be while at the same time that other faiths are also honored as a display of diversity and religious tolerance.
  4. Indeed, an argument could (and has) been made that menorahs and the Islamic Star and Crescent can be displayed publicly whereas a nativity scene shouldn't, because the former are both symbols with secular meaning and not just faith-based. The nativity depicts a scene of questionable historic accuracy, therefore is purely religious in meaning and symbolism.
  5. No one is telling churches and individuals they cannot put nativity scenes up for display on their own private property. If they're worried about the Christian message being lost in the holiday season, then they can do what they want on their own land. Just keep it off governmental and public spaces.

The Argument for Nativity Scenes in Public Spaces

Common Reasons Given Why Nativities Should Be Allowed

  1. The United States was founded by Christians and the Christian faith has played an important part in shaping this country's laws, government and schools. We should be allowed to honor these Christian roots with displays of the faith, including nativity scenes.
  2. The Christian faith is facing increasing persecution by atheists and those of other religions. Why, in some cases, are displays of other faiths being allowed while nativity scenes are not? All such displays should be welcome equally provided they are not harmful nor insulting to others.
  3. We need to work hard in order to put the "Christ" back into "Christmas." Christmas has become too much a secular holiday about Santa Claus and spending on gifts, and not about the birth of Jesus Christ. The absence of visible nativity scenes is just one symptom of this situation - and we need to encourage their return so that more people think of the religious significance of the holiday.
  4. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are being challenged by not allowing individuals to donate and put up these displays in public spaces if they wish to do so.
  5. Many of these public nativity scenes have been community traditions and part of the holidays for decades. It is harmful to the community to allow the objections of a minority of voices to destroy these traditions which have been enjoyed and respected for so long.

Recent News Stories About Nativity Scenes

The Latest Headlines Related to This Controversial Subject

Nativity Scenes Or Naïve Activity Scene?
It's June, always a great time to get riled-up early about whether or not those nativity scenes with the mannequins should return to Palisades Park this Christmas. Before I launch into any discussion about that, you are probably owed a few disclaimers.
Nativity scene subject of federal appeals debate
By Jameson Cook Attorneys for a Warren man and the Macomb County Road Commission will go to federal appeals court Wednesday morning to argue over a Nativity scene display that was yanked from the Mound Road median more than four years ago.
Santa Monica City Hall Mulls Nativity Scene Ban
For nearly 60 years, City Hall had allowed nativity scenes and other displays to be erected at Palisades Park during the Christmas and holiday season despite a blanket prohibition of showcasing private structures in Santa Monica's public parks.
Ellwood City councilman cited over incident with nativity supporter
By Bill Vidonic Ellwood City police cited a borough councilman, saying he hit a Lawrence County resident after a May 24 meeting about the ongoing controversy involving the placement of a Nativity scene outside the borough municipal building.
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YOUR TURN! Sound off on Nativity Scenes in Public Spaces

Arey the a violation of the separation of church and state?

Now's your chance to be heard. How do you feel about this controversial subject?

Do you feel that Nativity Scenes should be allowed or banned from government buildings, schools, and other public spaces?

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Yes! They are a violation of the separation of church and state and should not be placed on display.

No! Freedom of religion should allow anyone to display nativities if they wish, and wherever they wish.

StacyBirch says:

Church and state is for schools, the people who don't believe in god should leave those who do in peace. I don't preach to them so they need to leave the nativity scenes alone.

CosmeticMom says:

We have had Nativity scenes in front of public places and Churches for decades. America is trying to remove "Christmas" in almost anything public and all it Holiday. If people do not like it, don't celebrate Christmas...period! That goes for gift-giving too :)

 

Books Examining the Nativity and Christmas Traditions

Exploring the Controversy and History of the Creche

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"Put Christ Back In Christmas"

Products to Display Your Opinion!

Do you believe that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost? Then express your opinion publicly with one of these products from CafePress.
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Atheist? Festivus Fan? Or Just Wish Everyone Could Co-Exist?

Express Yourself with These Cool Designs from CafePress

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Our Family Nativity

While not on display in a public space, our nativity scene is an important part of our family's holiday traditions. You can learn more about it in the lens linked below.
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Do You Have More Thoughts to Share on Public Nativity Scenes?

Sound Off Before You Go!

Have any additional comments to make, or links to share on this subject? Do so here, and thanks for visiting. Happy Holidays - or Merry Christmas - to you all!

  • StacyBirch May 18, 2012 @ 5:05 pm | delete
    Why do people who claim not to believe in god, seem to hate him so much? They're kind of crazy, because I don't believe in aliens, I don't course the name of alien.
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