Tag: Religion

Of Christmas Trees and Corpus Christi: Ceremonial Deism and Change in Meaning Over Time

B. Jessie Hill - Case Western Reserve University School of Law

Lately, it seems that the Supreme Court has taken a strong interest in the question whether, and under what circumstances, religious speech and symbolism are constitutionally permissible in government-sponsored settings. Last Term, in Pleasant Grove City v. Summum, the Supreme Court considered whether a city had to allow the Summum religious… Read More »

Constitutional Agnosticism, Religious Pluralism, and the Problem of Community

Steven D. Smith - University of San Diego School of Law

The American Constitution, we are told, is a “godless” document. More precisely, it is an agnostic document; it nowhere makes any reference, whether affirming or denying, to God.  So what?
Some scholars see in this agnostic quality a constitutional mandate for governmental secularism; indeed, they may appeal directly to the agnostic… Read More »

The Case for a Constitutional Easement Approach to Permanent Monuments in Traditional Public Forums

Paul E. McGreal - Southern Illinois University School of Law

Imagine that you are mayor of a small town that has a picturesque public park, where your residents come to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To make the space inviting, you have built a gazebo, a picnic area, and a playground.  You have also allowed a local… Read More »