Question

The narrow question is whether there is a secular purpose for Pawtucket's display of the crèche. The display is sponsored by the city to celebrate the Holiday and to depict the origins of that Holiday. These are legitimate secular purposes.

—Chief Justice Warren Burger,
Opinion of the Court,
Lynch v. Donnelly
1984

According to the reading, what were the city’s secular purposes for displaying the crèche? Check all that apply.

to promote the Christian religion
to celebrate the holiday
to encourage the celebration of Christmas
to show how the holiday started
to act as a place for prayer

Answer 1

- to celebrate the holiday — Yes (the opinion says the display was sponsored by the city “to celebrate the Holiday”).
- to show how the holiday started — Yes (the opinion says the display was “to depict the origins of that Holiday”).

Not applicable: to promote the Christian religion; to act as a place for prayer.