Nativity Scene: Religious, not Historical Events

Is a Nativity Scene a depiction of a historical event or a symbol of religious beliefs - or both? According to New York City it's the latter but not the former. That's a decision reached in defense of not including a crèche in a display a holiday symbols that includes Jewish menorahs and Islamic crescents.

World Net Daily reports:

In pleadings with a federal court in defense of the ban, New York City lawyers asserted the "suggestion that a crèche is a historically accurate representation of an event with secular significance is wholly disingenuous." The Jewish and Islamic symbols are allowed, the district says, because they have a secular dimension, but the Christian symbols are "purely religious."

Well, yes, that's all certainly true. Many Americans don't believe that it is true, but the government cannot assert that it is true without supporting their religious beliefs - and that isn't acceptable. Many Americans also believe that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are historical events, but once again the government cannot assert that those things happened without taking sides in religion. These things are matters of faith, and there they must remain.

Read More:

• Separation of Church and State 101
• Religion in Public Schools