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Merika · 02-03-2006, 11:45 AM

Appeals Court Upholds Nativity Ban in NYC Schools
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
February 03, 2006

(CNSNews.com) - A federal appeals court in New York ruled it's okay for New York City Public Schools to ban the display of Christian nativity scenes during the Christmas season, EVEN THOUGH DISPLAYS OF THE JEWISH MENORAH AND ISLAMIC STAR AND CRESCENT ARE PERMITTED DURING HANUKKAH AND RAMADAN.

A conservative group that sued the school system over its policy said Christians should be outraged by the ruling.

The Thomas More Law Center challenged the ban on nativity scenes in December 2002, on behalf of Andrea Skoros and her two children, who complained that New York City's policy was violating their right to free exercise of religion.

The city defended its policy by arguing that the menorah and the star and crescent were permissible symbols because they were "secular," whereas the nativity scene had to be excluded because it was "purely religious."

In February 2004, a federal judge in New York agreed that Christian Nativity scenes do not belong in public school classrooms and he dismissed the lawsuit.

Skoros appealed, and on Thursday, a higher court ruled against her as well.

Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, called the decision another outrageous example of federal courts discriminating against Christians. "This should be a wake-up call for Christians across this nation," he said.

Thompson accused judges of imposing their ideological views under the pretext of constitutional interpretation.

In his dissenting opinion, appeals court Judge Chester Straub said it is clear to him that New York City's current policy violates the Establishment Clause by sending the message that Judaism and Islam are favored while Christianity is disfavored."

He said the city was wrong to define the menorah and the star and crescent as secular and a creche as "purely religious."

Robert Muise, the attorney handling the case, called the majority decision fundamentally flawed - "and we intend to take this fight to the next level. This battle is far from over," he said.

The Thomas More Law Center describes its mission as defending and promoting the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.as...20060203b.html
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I think either ALL religions should be represented or NO relegion should be represented. How could anyone find this ruling to be fair?? [/b]

02-03-2006, 11:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Merika Retired Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,000	Unfair Church Ruling Appeals Court Upholds Nativity Ban in NYC Schools By Susan Jones CNSNews.com Senior Editor February 03, 2006 (CNSNews.com) - A federal appeals court in New York ruled it's okay for New York City Public Schools to ban the display of Christian nativity scenes during the Christmas season, EVEN THOUGH DISPLAYS OF THE JEWISH MENORAH AND ISLAMIC STAR AND CRESCENT ARE PERMITTED DURING HANUKKAH AND RAMADAN. A conservative group that sued the school system over its policy said Christians should be outraged by the ruling. The Thomas More Law Center challenged the ban on nativity scenes in December 2002, on behalf of Andrea Skoros and her two children, who complained that New York City's policy was violating their right to free exercise of religion. The city defended its policy by arguing that the menorah and the star and crescent were permissible symbols because they were "secular," whereas the nativity scene had to be excluded because it was "purely religious." In February 2004, a federal judge in New York agreed that Christian Nativity scenes do not belong in public school classrooms and he dismissed the lawsuit. Skoros appealed, and on Thursday, a higher court ruled against her as well. Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, called the decision another outrageous example of federal courts discriminating against Christians. "This should be a wake-up call for Christians across this nation," he said. Thompson accused judges of imposing their ideological views under the pretext of constitutional interpretation. In his dissenting opinion, appeals court Judge Chester Straub said it is clear to him that New York City's current policy violates the Establishment Clause by sending the message that Judaism and Islam are favored while Christianity is disfavored." He said the city was wrong to define the menorah and the star and crescent as secular and a creche as "purely religious." Robert Muise, the attorney handling the case, called the majority decision fundamentally flawed - "and we intend to take this fight to the next level. This battle is far from over," he said. The Thomas More Law Center describes its mission as defending and promoting the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.as...20060203b.html ------------------------------- I think either ALL religions should be represented or NO relegion should be represented. How could anyone find this ruling to be fair?? [/b]