� 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
In a dispute over display of holiday symbols,
New York City schools are allowing Jewish menorahs and Islamic crescents
but barring Christian nativity scenes, alleging the depiction of the birth
of Christ does not represent a historical event.
In pleadings with a federal court in defense of the ban, New York City
lawyers asserted the "suggestion that a cr�che is a historically accurate
representation of an event with secular significance is wholly
disingenuous."
The Jewish and Islamic symbols are allowed, the district says, because
they have a secular dimension, but the Christian symbols are "purely
religious."
Robert J. Muise, who will challenge the school policy at a federal
court hearing tomorrow in Brooklyn, told WorldNetDaily be believes most
Americans don't see it that way.
"The birth of Jesus is a historical event which serves as the basis for
celebration of Christmas," Muise stated. "It's of importance for both
Christians and non-Christians."
Muise's Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center filed a motion to
temporarily restrain the city from enforcing its ban on nativity scenes.
The center asserts New York's policy "promotes the Jewish and Islamic
faiths while conveying the impermissible message of disapproval of
Christianity in violation of the U.S. Constitution."
The Michigan group says one public-school principal issued a memo
encouraging teachers to bring to school "religious symbols" that represent
the Islamic and Jewish religions, but made no mention of Christianity.
Jewish menorahs adorned the halls of the school as part of the
authorized displays, the More Center said, but students were not allowed
to make and similarly display nativity scenes
A parent who wrote a letter of complaint to her son's teacher received
a copy of the school's "Holiday Displays" policy in response.
Kate Ahlers, communications director for New York City's law
department, says schools can use things that are secular like menorahs,
stars and snowflakes, but the cr�che is considered religious.
"There is a separation of church and state that is part of the
Constitution," she claimed. "It's a clear belief that people try to follow
in schools and public office, and schools are saying they adhere to that
belief."
The point of schools, she added, "is not to debate religion; the point
of schools is to teach children."
The federal civil-rights lawsuit was filed on behalf of Andrea Skoros
and her two elementary-school children against the city of New York and
several school officials.
Skoros and her children are devout Roman Catholics.
"Can Christianity be erased from a public school?" Muse asked in a
statement. "Can 'Christ' be removed from Christmas? We will soon find
out."
