Nativity Scenes in Public Spaces: The Controversy Continues

All photos on this page are by the author, sockii.

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.

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.

The links below will take you to news stories of past controversies regarding nativity scenes in public spaces.

• 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.

• Santa Monica Nativity Scene Controversy Heads To Court

  November, 2012. The controversy heads to court in California where churches sue over freedom of speech, in order to keep up their nativity scene.

• Nativity scene controversies

  Wikipedia section on nativity scenes, describing numerous court cases and rulings related to the display of nativity scenes.