Church & State....Lift & separate.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Seems to me the government (Fed, State, Local), shouldn't promote or discourage any new or existing religion but they should accomodate the people they serve.
Government property = common property.

OK, you'll probably accuse me of not getting the point again , but aren't matters of belief personal rather than public? Like when I go out in public I do not wear a t-shirt or wave a banner stating my decidely eclectic brand of personal belief (mainly Buddhist with lots of Navajo, Christian, and pagan beliefs thrown in just for interest). I don't expect government buildings to knock themselves out flaunting MY belief system when I myself would never dream of doing such a thing.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

If the resident Christians want to put up a nativity, hey, knock yourself out.
If you truly want to separate government from religion, I'm in favor, but not by repressing public expression. If the Christian kid sees a menorah or a pagan celebration and questions what it's about, he all might learn a little more. He might be less fearful of others.

The government is NOT repressing public expression of belief, only maintaining government buildings as a sort of neutral territory, so to speak. If you want to fill your front yard with 20 foot high neon lights that blink on and off proclaiming "Jesus Saves!" or "Blessed be the name of Allah!" or even "Go, Satan!" no one is going to stop you other than possibly the neighborhood improvement association.