Should Religious Symbols be Displayed on Public Property?

Should Religious Symbols be Displayed on Public Property?

Eighty-five percent of Americans claim some form of religious affiliation. The public display of religious symbols, though, is always controversial, whether we’re talking about the Ten Commandments in a courthouse or nativity scenes in a park. In the ongoing debate about religious imagery’s proper place, where do we draw the line between private faith and public religious expression?

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  • Naumadd
    No Straight "Yes" or "No"

    Which is why I said, "Yes, if ..." One's "yes" or "no" is necessarily contextual. "Yes" if certain conditions, "no" if certain other conditions. I take issue with the fact most the questions on the site are looking for a "yes" or a "no" when very seldom can either be arrived at out of context. I believe I was quite clear on the conditions where I would answer "yes" and the conditions under which I would answer "no".

    For the most part, governments in the United States chose to be rather one-sided in their treatment of religious expression, however, there have been notable exceptions where fairness has been exhibited. I believe generally the answer to the original question is "no", however, context sometimes warrants a "yes" answer.

    You want a single "yes" or "no". I'm telling you there can be none as the question is put forward here. It is a glaring fault in the way debate is conducted here.

    - NaumaddUS January 2, 2009 5:21AM

    Reply to this Recommend (0) Icon flag Side: Yes

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    • SocialistBetty
      But the "if" doesn't exist...

      ...the "if" is the ideal situation that isn't happening now. The question deals with the current situations as they are, not as you would like them to be.

      You've checked the side of "yes" based on a balance that isn't occurring. You said "NO" in your response because of the current situation, but still voted 'yes'. You're skewing the results.

      - SocialistBettyUS January 2, 2009 12:32PM

      Reply to this Recommend (1) Icon flag Side: No

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Religious Symbols in Public?

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  • William Martin PhD
    William Martin (Ph.D, Harvard, 1969), is the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Emeritus Professor of Religion and Public Policy in the Department of Sociology at Rice.... More

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