Question

There is no doubt, of course, that the crèche itself is capable of communicating a religious message. . . . Thus, by permitting the "display of the crèche in this particular physical setting," . . . the county sends an unmistakable message that it supports and promotes the Christian praise to God that is the crèche's religious message. . . . Thus, by prohibiting government endorsement of religion, the Establishment Clause prohibits precisely what occurred here: the government's lending its support to the communication of a religious organization's religious message.

—Justice Harry Blackmun,
Opinion of the Court,
County of Allegheny v. ACLU
1989

According to Blackmun’s decision, why did the crèche display violate the establishment clause?

It was located inside a county building.
It was not accompanied by a menorah.
It celebrated the origin of a religious holiday.
It forced county workers to honor a religious figure.

Answer 1

It sent a government endorsement of religion by being displayed in a county building — the county’s placement of the crèche conveyed support for a Christian religious message, violating the Establishment Clause.