Does the first amendment prohibit government entities from recognizing or observing Christmas?

[Jim Robinson]

Does the first amendment prohibit city governments or other government entities from recognizing or observing Christmas, including appropriate displays, symbolism, quoted scripture, etc.?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

[PROCON]

And, Christmas is a Federal Holiday, so it should not.

[defconw]

I would be willing to sacrifice a Christmas if that meant all government employees including teachers and Congress had to work that day! Let's make the point!

[GladesGuru]

Perhaps it may be on point that Congress held Christian services in the Capital building, yet were not known to impose any faith by law.

Strangely, worship in a building seems not to cause structural change, not behavioral changes in later building occupants.

As a matter of fact, I will celebrate all holidays serving good food (BBQ ribs, preferably). It is how I celebrate diversity.

[Lurker]

No, it doesn’t.

Next question.

[GladesGuru]

“I would be willing to sacrifice a Christmas if that meant all government employees including teachers and Congress had to work that day! Let’s make the point!”

make a government employee actually work?? ? ? ? ? ?

May this unenlightened one ask how you plan to accomplish this miracle?

And, may I ask when you give lessons in water walking?

[defconw]

LOL OK, I concede the point. But we could make them show up at the places they don’t work. :)

[Jim Robinson]

Ok, does it prohibit a government entity (court, school, etc) from displaying the Ten Commandments?

[Lurker]

No, it does not.

Anything else I can answer?

[Jim Robinson]

Does it prohibit the displaying of a Cross or Star of David?

[onyx]

Do we still have a meaningful, enforceable Constitution?

[arthurus]

The 1st Amendment says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” which means just that and nothing more. Recognizing or observing Christmas by city governments is not addressed by the 1st Amendment. Observing Christmas is not Congress or anyone else passing a low respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

[arthurus]

Perhaps it may be on point that Congress held Christian services in the Capital building,< P>but Congress made no law respecting etc.

[DoughtyOne]

LINK 1. No.

LINK 2. No.

LINK 3. No.

[Safetgiver]

Strangely, worship in a building seems not to cause structural change, not behavioral changes in later building occupants.....You may be wrong. Lately the White house has been celebrating Ishtafar (or some such shit) and it has caused structural change.

[DJ MacWoW]

The title page of Robert Aitken’s Bible, which was printed in Philadelphia in 1782.

Aitken's Bible Endorsed by Congress

The war with Britain cut off the supply of Bibles to the United States with the result that on Sept. 11, 1777, Congress instructed its Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from "Scotland, Holland or elsewhere." On January 21, 1781, Philadelphia printer Robert Aitken (1734-1802) petitioned Congress to officially sanction a publication of the Old and New Testament which he was preparing at his own expense. Congress "highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion . . . in this country, and . . . they recommend this edition of the bible to the inhabitants of the United States." This resolution was a result of Aitken's successful accomplishment of his project.

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[Pontiac]

Does the first amendment prohibit city governments or other government entities from recognizing or observing Christmas, including appropriate displays, symbolism, quoted scripture, etc.?

No but poorly considered Supreme Court decisions do.

[Lurker]

No, it does not.

[Talisker]

The whole dang Amendment protects the practice and expression of religion.

How the thing ever got reversed in the first place is what I’d like to know.

[Jim Robinson]

Does it prohibit students from exercising their right to pray before school events?