Should public displays of religious content be permitted?
They are already permitted, under the proper conditions. These include prior approval of reasonable displays, and offering the same privileges to other religious groups.
The issue question arises from a misinterpretation of the First Amenment. The government does not promote a particular religous group merely by allowing a display on public property.
The Supreme Court building, for example, has imbedded a graphic and beautiful display of the Ten Commandments. This text comes right out of the book of Exodus and is widely used by both Jews and Christians. Should this display be sand-blasted off the Supreme Court building?
The Declaration of Independance contains several references to a Divine Creator. This is who we are as Americans. The last stanza of our National Anthem, is a portrayal of the Gospel, and the meaning of Christ! Statuary Hall is filled with verses from The Bible.
In summary, our country evolved from the freedom of religion, not found in many other lands. We are a religious people, even though it may not seem that way on the surface. Therefore, displays are entirely appropriate to celebrate our core beliefs. Naturally, such displays should not be exclusionary, and be in good taste.
We might add that they not be offensive. But the old bromide arises. religious displays are offensive to atheists. My response is, so what!!
Dick Brooks