Question

[T]he menorah need not be excluded from this particular display. The Christmas tree alone in the Pittsburgh location does not endorse Christian belief; and, on the facts before us, the addition of the menorah "cannot fairly be understood to" result in the simultaneous endorsement of Christian and Jewish faiths. . . . On the contrary, for purposes of the Establishment Clause, the city's overall display must be understood as conveying the city's secular recognition of different traditions for celebrating the winter-holiday season.

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

According to Blackmun’s decision, why was the display of the menorah and Christmas tree constitutional?

It was located in the right place.
It did not include religious symbols.
It endorsed two major world religions.
It did not communicate a religious message

Answer 1

It did not communicate a religious message — the Court found the combined display conveyed a secular recognition of winter holiday traditions, not endorsement of religion.