Friday, November 30, 2012

Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?




Allow me to share my opinion re: Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?"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." This is the first Amendment of US constitution that interpret also the separation of State and the Church and is now same first amendment is being used by the Petitioners (Nativity Committee) to argue for their petition that injunction be granted in their favor, and Judge Audrey B. Collins used same to deny the petition for injunction.

I am a catholic, I believe there is no law that prohibits the exercise of our freedom of religion or our freedom of worship, freedom of speech and I believe too that the government does not favor or against any  specific religion. The issue here is not whether or not tax is being used in the Christmas displays but rather, whether or not the State has the power to regulate the use of public place or space for religious displays. It is my opinion that our constitution guarantees the absolute freedom of our religious belief but not absolute freedom to exercise of that belief, meaning the State can regulate the practice that it should conform and must be in accordance with the other laws. 

Going back to the very question, the government has already allowed 60 long years the display of this Nativity tradition in the same park, the Palisades Park, Santa Monica and the State did not only favor the Catholic or Christians but other religions as well including the Atheist when last year they erected some displays to promote their beliefs. The government have already shown that it can be done or allowed in a limited period of time and within their power to regulate, the park has ample space, and different religions have proven also that they can co-exist with each other.  Why ban the Christmas displays which add attraction to the onlookers in the park.  I don't know of any government subsidy given to specific religion or how a government fund is utilized in this regard. A better deal may be is give equal space allocation to each applicant who wish to put up seasonal displays. Peace to all people of goodwill. Be happy this Christmas. Thanks!




Asian Journal Online - Fil-Am News, Filipino-American Community Newspaper