scumble

It's inappropriate to have them in many places, but is it the case that they can't be displayed anywhere publicly visible, or just within public (government or court) buildings.
If someone displayed the TC in their shop, would this be a problem?
I'm not sure how I'd feel about people putting it all over the place myself. Someone who did this in the UK might be thought a little odd on the whole.

GaryP

The problem occrs when they are displayed on public property.

Here in my city, I asked for equal access to a city park at Xmas time so I could erect an Atheist/Humanist greeting along with the city's creche.

Many good Christians wrote letters to the editor extolling each other to buy a creche and put it in their front yard.

What these people did not understnd is that THAT is exactly what I would have agreed with!

Jewel

The problem lies with them being displayed on government owned land (city parks, national parks and the like) or in government buildings. Those examples violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment. People who are so inclined can post them on their private property (home or business) if they wish.

beejay

No constitutional problem with the display of the 10C on private property. When my county was forced to move the 10C monument from the front of the courthouse, they arranged to have a nearby bank put it on their lawn.

Indeed, in this part of the country, you will see a lot of lawn signs saying "We support the Ten Commandments" and then listing them.

I'm sure a UK visitor would think this odd, but Americans will (and can) put practically any sign in their front yard.

scumble

I don't think I'd be bothered myself, but it is very unusual to see such things.
The thing is, if people are free for religious expression on private property, why the fuss about having expression in courthouses etc.?

beejay

Because the courthouses belong to all of us.

If the government posts a religious message at the courthouse, it is telling anyone who doesn't subscribe to that message that they are less important and less welcome.

In America, having learned the lessons of religious strife in Europe, we chose to keep the government out of the business of religion.

If you want to post a sign at your house that says "Atheists not welcome", that's up to you. The government should not be posting equivalent signs on public property.

scumble

Hang on, my hasty sentence construction strikes again - I meant the fuss made by the religious people that their expression is being repressed. oops.

GaryP

That's the $64,000 question.

IMO, many far right Christians believe (due to years of hearing such propaganda) that this country was founded upon Biblical principles by godly men who believed just as they do.

Therfore, the govt. is suppressing religion by not allowing religious displays. Indeed, some see the govt's role as encouraging religion for the good of society.

IOW. many see the "wall" as one way, i.e., govt. should not tell churches what to do, but churches have the right to influence govt.

beejay

Like GaryP says, there are quite a number of Christians who believe this is their country and are quite happy with the idea that atheists feel unwelcome. (And, of course, it's not just atheists...Buddhists, Muslims, etc.)

(I won't say the majority, but the most rabid of the supporters of government religious monuments seem to feel this way.)

Some also believe that God is going to get mad at America if these Christian symbols aren't displayed on government buildings.

I think it's impossible to disabuse them of these notions. Many other Christians do finally understand why these displays are improper, but it's a rare politician who is willing to make that argument (at least at the local level.)

[I guess that may just be how it seems in Indiana. There are a lot of government buildings that DON'T have religious displays]

GaryP

I agree with beejay about those who think it's exclusively a Christian country being in the minority.

But it seems as if it is quite a sizeable group.

And the vast majority of "liberal" Christians see no problem with letting their more agressive friends bellow on ad nauseum about this type of activity (displays, etc.).

I think the liberal Christians see CSS as a nice ideal but not really that important and where does one draw the line anyway?

It is not in an officeholder's best political interest to try to uphold CSS.

And besides, almost everyone agrees that Atheists are usually "evildoers".