County of Allegheny v American Civil Liberties Union Case Analysis

Religion and politics class need to reword and paraphrase to make it look good.

Case Name: Allegheny v ACLU Essential Facts: • A creche is was displayed on the Grande Staircase of Allegheny Courthouse • A Chanakuh menorah was placed outside the City-County building next to a Christmas tree • both of these displays were on government property Legal Issue: Does it violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause to place religious displays on government property? Holding: Yes, the court decided the creche endorsed Christianity and violated the Establishment Clause. Reasoning of the Court The Law: • 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. The Application of the Law to the Facts: The Court held that the creche outside the courthouse unmistakably endorsed Christianity in violation of the Establishment Clause. By prominently displaying the words “Glory to God for the birth of Jesus Christ,” the county sent a clear message that it supported and promoted Christian orthodoxy. The Court also held, however, that not all religious celebrations on government property violated the Establishment Clause. Six of the justices concluded that the display involving the menorah was constitutionally legitimate given its “particular physical setting.” Religious Studies and Public Policy Question: A.) Why should governmental properties want to have anything supporting religious beliefs? Shouldn’t they be separated? B.) Are the religious displays they are displaying on government property, religions that they favor? Rightly or Wrongly Decided? Rightly, The displays are on government property. The Court stated that because the menorah and the Christmas tree have secular meaning to them they would not be constitutional. Government may not promote or affiliate itself with any religious doctrine or organization discriminating people because of religious belief.

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