perris said:
as far as banning christmas displays, if it's on government property, then equal attention has to be given to any religous sect that requests and expects equal protection under the government.
otherwise you have a government sponsered religion
We are talking about private shops here (in the above guys mentioned post) and not a government display... And as to Santa made latter (and a Christmas tree if that's what's being mentioned); one could ask just how Christian they actually are. They're not the same thing as a nativity. What was in the displays that is getting banned wasn't exactly mentioned though (with the exception of Santa latter on).
tbh, I haven't tended to enter into this debate...partially because, if the religious affiliations of our founding fathers were to be brought up, there is a fact that should be brought up with it. Many assume that our founding fathers were Christian, case closed, end of story.
However, many of our founding father's were members of the Freemasonic order, which quite frankly was a bit of a secret, arguably occult religious order. Freemasonry, as an institution, isn't really the same as the Christian church as we see it and know it today, and very much does have an esoteric or inner teaching. Certain mysteries that one is initiated into, as they advance in the degrees of the Lodge, the Craft, or various other names that had been used for the Masonic order.
In fact, many emblems we find in this country today (such as the split pyramid with the all seeing eye, found on the back of the $1 bill, in the Great Seal of the United States, and elsewhere) are Masonic symbols. At least some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons, though different numbers have been put out there.
Further, George Washington can be brought up
http://watch.pair.com/GW.html
The above link contains actual correspondance to/from Washington.
Arguably, mention of religious affiliation, would need to carry mention of Freemasonry, and the role of such secret societies in our nations origins. And no, on the surface of it, I don't think the showing of the Declaration of Independence should be barred, in teaching the subject of American history... And yet, in light of what I mentioned above, if the word God is being read to say they must have all been Christians and that is the end of it, what of Freemasonry in our nation's history again?