Federal Govt: Keep Your Religious Expression Away From The National Christmas Tree
This year Arizona was given the unique opportunity to showcase the “Grand Canyon State” by providing a Christmas tree that will illuminate the foreground of the Nation’s Capitol, and schoolchildren throughout Arizona will make the 5,000 ornaments to be placed on the – but ornaments with religious references are banned.
Children who wish to create ornaments for the 2009 National Christmas Tree, ironically called “The People’s Tree”, that expresses their view of Christmas as part of their religious foundation, will be denied the opportunity. The criteria for creating and submitting an ornament says that “ornament designs may not reflect religious or political themes,” and Alliance Defense Fund says, this is clearly a violation of the First Amendment.
“Banning Christmas from the Capitol Christmas tree is just absurd. Christian students shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their religious beliefs,” said Alliance Defense Fund, Litigation Staff Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “The First Amendment does not allow government officials to exclude school children’s ornaments for the capitol’s Christmas tree merely because they communicate a religious viewpoint.”
The ornaments “will provide wonderful opportunities for Arizona school children to demonstrate what Arizona means to them,” says the … Whether they represent our world-renowned landscapes, our diverse cultures, or other aspects of our state, the ornaments will help convey the particular beauty that is Arizona.” But, if students want to convey that Arizona has a religious significance to them, they are denied the opportunity offered to students with non-religious views.
ADF sent a demand letter to Arizona and federal officials on behalf of a mother whose son strongly desires to submit three ornaments for the tree.
The boy is creating three ornaments that talks about his meaning of Christmas. One of the ornaments will read “Merry Christmas,” another will say “Happy Birthday, Jesus,” and the third will portray a manger scene with the baby Jesus. In addition, each of the ornaments will honor Arizona by using the states motto as outlined in the state seal, “Ditat Deus,” which means “God Enriches.”
The letter demands that officials abandon the prohibition of religious viewpoints so children can participate in the rare opportunity.
“It is well established that expression of religious beliefs is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” the letter reads. “Religious expression is speech and is entitled to the same level of protection as other kinds of speech… Even expression that comes through symbols, such as ornaments…”.
If officials do not comply to the demand letter by October 4, the day before the deadline to submit ornaments, ADF will take action.
Related posts:
- Attorney: S.C. City Ordinance So “Broad” It Silences Religious Expression
- Appeals Court Says School Officials May Be Personally Liable For Religious Discrimination
- Court Agrees With Rights Of Student Expression
- 3rd Circuit Upholds School’s Ban on Christmas Carols
- Runaway Teen Christian Convert Is Getting Her Christmas Cards
Short URL: http://www.christianlawjournal.com/?p=8223
Your comment sounds so much like something I’d say that I’m smiling bigger than usual. Welcome to the conversation.
TRUTH REVEALED MINISTRY
GO TO:
http://web.me.com/rthorne2/Site_2/TRUTH_REVEALED_MINISTRY!.html
I am glad we have someone to defend us from these religious zealots and tyrants. When the expression of one interferes with the freedoms of another there is no balance. Those that would impose their personal religious beliefs, by force, upon those that do not agree are selfish tyrants. I feel sorry for those people that are enslaved by this nonsense. Due to their rampant rhetoric and disregard for others I’ve concluded these religions attract people with personality disorders. Expression is one thing. An in your face public demonstration of an opinion is another.
HELLLLLOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Does anyone remember what Christmas is???? Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ (thus the “christ” in “christmas”). It is not just a day to give and receive gifts.
I also believe in the freedom of religion, but Christmas is about Christ. If you don’t believe in God, then you don’t have to celebrate it. I firmly believe that religious ornaments related to Christ should be allowed to be hung on ANY Christmas tree. It’s just plain stupid otherwise. It’s like saying, “We’re going to celebrate George Washington’s birthday today, but you can’t mention George Washington” Ummm, Okaaaaay. WHAT?????
Our forefathers left Europe due to restrictions on worshipping and expression of religion. If you don’t like America, then, please, feel free to move to another country.
Warren, by the way. I will target your ignorance. You falsely think, that allowing citizens to wear “religious” clothing, holding a sign, carrying a bible, creating an ornament, on government (public) property, then it is an endorsement.
When you go to the park, do you think the Government endorses a shirt or brand or slogan you wear? I suggest you quit being a hypocrite. Parks are public property, and if you suggest the government control religious expression, then what stops them from telling people what to wear. I think you would advocate control of what people wear in the park, simply because you want people to be forced to be controlled by what you endorse and don’t.
Warren, let me direct you to the First Amendment. Christians don’t advocate Christian only, but rather Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
So, if the government asks the public to create something, but then controls what they say, even quoting the state motto or Federal motto “In God We Trust”, that is unconstitutional. This is not China Warren, we don’t need a permit to express religious beliefs in the United States.
This will be found unconstitutional. It is too broad. This verbiage right now suggests that someone cannot even create a Christmas ornament around the U.S. Dollar Bill.
Warren, if the government asks the public to decorate the “People’s Tree”, then they cannot control religious expression. Accept your ignorance to this basic principle. Get off the anti-Christian bandwagon, because this has nothing to do with Christianity. If you want your children to create an ornament that says, “Happy Pagan Winter Solstice”, well I agree with your first amendment right.
Warren, I don’t think you get it. It has nothing to do with Christianity. Read the Constitution. Having a tree and allowing children to hang ornaments doesn’t endorse any religion. I suppose you would think, the government allowing public tours of the nations capitol, that citizens should check any shirts, pins, clothing, a tie with a cross or bible verse. That is your argument for government. You fail to recognize, by asking the public to post something, but then saying that they cannot make a reference to God, is correct.
Also, I agree, the government should not stop Yom Kippur or Ramadan either from the children. Surely this site is dedicated toward the Christian audience. But the article talks about religious expression, if you didn’t know, that includes Yom Kippur and Ramadan. The Constitution talks about Religious expression, and so does this article.
I suggest you read up a bit better Warren.
Outstanding news and I am delighted that our government is willing to stand by the law of this country and not give in to the christian right and their belief that their rights must be imposed on others. Feel free to express your religious view, put up trees in your homes and in front of your churches, but leave my tax dollars out of it. I do not believe in god and should not have to be forced to support it any more than I would ask you to support my argument on the point.
Are you just as supportive of all these “poor children” who were not able to participate in the state sponsored Yom Kippur celebrations or the federal government observances of Ramadan? Where was the indignant “news story” then?
Go Arizona! Just 49 more to go…