Judge: No Nativity Scene Displays in NYC Schools

NY Newsday ^ | 02.18.04

[Coleus]

A federal judgeon Wednesday backed the city's Department of Education, ruling that the display of the nativity scene, unlike Christmas trees and menorahs, was not secular and has no place in classrooms.

Judge Charles Sifton in Brooklyn dismissed the lawsuit brought forth by Andrea Skoros, 34, of College Point, saying the city's holiday displays policy banning non-secular symbols from schools did not violate her right to free exercise of religion.

[Coleus]

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[IronJack]

banning non-secular symbols from schools did not violate her right to free exercise of religion.

Judge Reynold Jabberwocky then went on to declare that jumping into the water did not make a person wet, turning out the light did not make it dark, and the "up" escalator was for use by persons intending to go "down." He adjourned the court shortly afterward, announcing that he had been invited to a tea party by the March Hare.

[xJones]

Tell any of this to Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin or George Washington.

According to the guidelines, displays can only show secular holiday symbols, such as Christmas trees, menorahs, and the star and the crescent.

Idiots, a Christmas tree is adopted from a German pagan tradition. The cross or a Nativity scene symbolizes Christianity, as the menorah or star of David, and the star and crescent symbolize Judaism and Islam. To play games is to lie and grossly offend American religious traditions. It's just another attack on Christianity when you come down to it.

[ladylib]

She should stop whining. She pulled her kids from the public schools. Parents who feel that religion should be a large part of their children's education do not send their children to NYC public schools or public schools anywhere else. It's as simple as that.

[07055]

This judge sounds like a dyed in the wool liberal. Check out this decision from twenty two years ago:

Despite the attempts to integrate women into New York's fire department over the past 20 years, there are only 36 women in the 11,000-member force. A federal judge found in 1982 that the fire department's physical test for applicants improperly discriminated against women. Judge Charles Sifton ordered the department to water down the test and reserve up to 45 positions for women. One of the delighted female plaintiffs, who had failed the challenged test, explained, "I wasn't able to carry the dummy up and down a flight of stairs in the requisite amount of time, but I did very well on the mile run." The portion of the test that required carrying victims was eliminated, in favor of testing candidates on their ability to drag a 145-pound dummy along a marked path. Speaking of dummies, Judge Sifton had ruled that upper body strength was largely "irrelevant" to firefighting.

[Alberta's Child]

The only moron in this story is Andrea Skoros (the plaintiff in the lawsuit), who is fighting her principled battle long after all the other Christians have "shaken the dust from their sandals" and turned their back on that dump called New York City.

[talleyman]

"What do you call a lawyer with an IQ of 50?"

"Your Honor."

[rmlew]

A federal judgeon Wednesday backed the city's Department of Education, ruling that the display of the nativity scene, unlike Christmas trees and menorahs, was not secular and has no place in classrooms. I'm offended.
The Menorah was an element in Temple services. For over 2000 years, it has been a symbol of Judaism. How dare anyone call it secular! The Shield of David is a political/cultural symbol, the Menorah is religious. A Menorah (especially the 9-armed Hanukiah) also symbolizes the holiday of Hanukah when shown at that time of year. A lit Hanukiah is the traditional observence of the holdiay.
Frankly, Christians should be happy that the nativity scene has not been corrupted by the courts.

As far as showing religious symbols, they are appropriate at schools.

[little jeremiah]

Right. The public schools should remain "safe" places where children can be encouraged and taught to express their fluid sexuality and have "gay" clubs, "gay" outings, learn about famous "gay" persons in history like Abraham Lincoln and Ben Franklin, special "day of silence" with rooms for "gay" and questioning kids can hang out in with "gay" counselors, etc.

That's ok. But a (shudder) Nativity Scene?

People need to pull their children from public schools en mass.

[Romish_Papist]

How the CRAP is a nativity scene religious but a menorah is NOT???

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[oceanview]

but the Menorah is OK? the only reason the Menorah is in there is because of the multitude of Jewish NYC public school teachers. They are retiring now in droves, so why should the Menorah continue to be displayed in a public school system where hardly any of the students, or teachers, are jewish?

this ruling will be appealed. The Catholic League will take it all the way to the USSC.

[AnnaZ]

Judicial Crack Smokin' at its best!

[oceanview]

OReilly has been following this story, he will pick up on this.

[diotima]

TOKE IT, COUNCELLOR!

[3catsanadog]

While the powers that be in San Francisco are breaking laws and giving a big Eff U to America and officers of the court out there are sitting on their hands wondering what to do, we can rest assured that the schools in Brooklyn will be protected by armed guards so that no Christian will sneak a baby Jesus under the Christmas tree.

[Howlin]

unlike Christmas trees and menorahs

Am I dense? How are those two ALIKE?