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 10 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?

Do you mean publicly owned places like courthouses, or just out in public?

Either/Or.

I think that public displays of religiosity are fine, on private property that can be seen by the public. I don't care for them at publicly owned places. I'm not personally offended by them either way though.

As far as public property goes, if they allow one religious symbol, they have to allow them all. Generally the community will throw a fit at the mention of that idea. So I believe it's really in everyone's best interest to just not have them there at all. Private property is another story.

I really don't see why it should be off the ranke. I hardly cOnsider it established religion. I sense people need to chill.

Marc™ wrote:

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 10 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?

America is very two faced about this. On the one hand there really shouldn't be anything wrong with displaying a Judeo/Christian symbol on public grounds. After all, the majority of the country identifies in some way with Christianity and our country was "allegedly" founded on those principles. On the other hand, the moment someone tries to build a mosque at the "wrong place" it ignites protest from New York to the west coast! People are outraged at the idea of a muslim place of worship near ground zero, but simultaneously outraged because they can't display "their" religious symbols in public places. People (and by people, you know which demographic I'm talking about) don't want "equality" when it comes to religion in our country, they want a pro Christian nation. And if that's what they want, then so be it. But we really shouldn't be bullshitting each other into thinking that we are a country that champions "diversity" and "equality" when we have such ridiculous double standards concerning religion. So, while I'm aware that this didn't really answer your question, I think my answer is bigger than the question itself and should therefore suffice for now.