Question

cphs : american government/civics (45.05700)
your rights: freedom of religion
case #2: county of allegheny v. aclu
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? choose three correct answers.

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

Explanation:

1. The establishment clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from endorsing or promoting religious practices. So "The government does not have the right to endorse or promote religious practices" is valid as the displays (crèche with religious messages, menorah - a religious symbol) could be seen as government promotion/endorsement of religion.
2. The crèche (Christian religious symbol) and menorah (Jewish religious symbol) are both religious symbols. Displaying them on government property can be seen as the government favoring or promoting those religions, which violates the establishment clause. So "The crèche and menorah are both religious symbols" is valid.
3. The displays were on government property (county courthouse, city building). The government is not supposed to use its property to promote or endorse religion, so this supports the idea that the displays were unconstitutional. "The displays were on government property" is valid.
4. The option "The constitution outlaws the expression of religion" is incorrect because the First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion (expression) and only prohibits the establishment of religion (government - sponsored religion).

Answer:

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