Question

The Facts:

The city of Pittsburgh displayed:

a crèche in the main hall of the county courthouse building each Christmas season that contained religious messages.
a menorah next to a Christmas tree outside another city building.
The ACLU sued the city, citing the establishment clause.

What reasons support the ACLU’s stance that the the displays were unconstitutional? Check all that apply.

The crèche and menorah are both religious symbols.
The constitution outlaws the expression of religion.
The displays were on government property.
The government does not have the right to endorse or promote religious practices.

Answer 1

Select:
- The crèche and menorah are both religious symbols.
- The displays were on government property.
- The government does not have the right to endorse or promote religious practices.

Explanation (brief): The ACLU’s claim rests on the Establishment Clause — the government may not endorse or promote religion. Religious symbols displayed by government on public property can be perceived as government endorsement, which makes those displays constitutionally suspect. The statement that “the constitution outlaws the expression of religion” is incorrect (the First Amendment prohibits governmental establishment of religion while protecting private religious expression).