- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804758611
- eISBN:
- 9780804763141
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804758611.003.0001
- Subject:
- Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law
This introductory chapter presents an overview of the topics discussed in this book. It begins with a brief discussion of how religion is inevitably watered down or distorted beyond recognition when ...
More
This introductory chapter presents an overview of the topics discussed in this book. It begins with a brief discussion of how religion is inevitably watered down or distorted beyond recognition when its symbols are forced into the public square. It argues that if religion is to have any real impact in America—if it is to serve as a source of moral values in a materialistic, scientific culture—it must have real content. The book discusses the odd fate of the Ten Commandments in America; the debate over teaching intelligent design in the public schools; and how Christmas and Chanukah have suffered in public life in America today. It concludes with a survey of the legal and political environment in which battles over the Ten Commandments, intelligent design, and the public celebration of religious holidays take place.Less
This introductory chapter presents an overview of the topics discussed in this book. It begins with a brief discussion of how religion is inevitably watered down or distorted beyond recognition when its symbols are forced into the public square. It argues that if religion is to have any real impact in America—if it is to serve as a source of moral values in a materialistic, scientific culture—it must have real content. The book discusses the odd fate of the Ten Commandments in America; the debate over teaching intelligent design in the public schools; and how Christmas and Chanukah have suffered in public life in America today. It concludes with a survey of the legal and political environment in which battles over the Ten Commandments, intelligent design, and the public celebration of religious holidays take place.
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804758611
- eISBN:
- 9780804763141
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804758611.003.0004
- Subject:
- Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law
This chapter discusses how the celebration of Christmas and Chanukah has been drained of their religion meaning. It begins by looking at the litigation over Christmas and Chanukah symbols on ...
More
This chapter discusses how the celebration of Christmas and Chanukah has been drained of their religion meaning. It begins by looking at the litigation over Christmas and Chanukah symbols on courthouse steps and other public property. Here, as with the Ten Commandments, we see legal battles where victory is more dangerous than defeat. Religion, in order to win the dubious honor of appearing on the lawn of city hall, must be stripped of its real meaning. The chapter also considers how the economic side of these holidays, combined with the battles over the public square, have resulted in a remarkable victory for the commercialization of religion. The true history and meaning of both Christmas and Chanukah have become changed almost beyond recognition.Less
This chapter discusses how the celebration of Christmas and Chanukah has been drained of their religion meaning. It begins by looking at the litigation over Christmas and Chanukah symbols on courthouse steps and other public property. Here, as with the Ten Commandments, we see legal battles where victory is more dangerous than defeat. Religion, in order to win the dubious honor of appearing on the lawn of city hall, must be stripped of its real meaning. The chapter also considers how the economic side of these holidays, combined with the battles over the public square, have resulted in a remarkable victory for the commercialization of religion. The true history and meaning of both Christmas and Chanukah have become changed almost beyond recognition.
