County of Allegheny v. ACLU
Description
"There is no suggestion here that the government's power to coerce has been used to further the interests of Christianity or Judaism in any way. No one was compelled to observe or participate in any religious ceremony or activity. Neither the city nor the county contributed significant amounts of tax money to serve the cause of one religious faith."
Case summary: "Respondents alleged that the display of a creche and a Chanukah menorah in government buildings by petitioners violated the Establishment Clause, U.S. Const. amend. I. Respondents contended that the displays had the effect of endorsing religion. The Court examined whether the display of the creche and the menorah, in their respective particular settings, had the effect of endorsing or disapproving religious beliefs. The Court held that petitioners sent an unmistakable message that it supported and promoted the Christian praise to God that was the creche's religious message, and therefore held that the display of the creche was unconstitutional."
Case summary: "Respondents alleged that the display of a creche and a Chanukah menorah in government buildings by petitioners violated the Establishment Clause, U.S. Const. amend. I. Respondents contended that the displays had the effect of endorsing religion. The Court examined whether the display of the creche and the menorah, in their respective particular settings, had the effect of endorsing or disapproving religious beliefs. The Court held that petitioners sent an unmistakable message that it supported and promoted the Christian praise to God that was the creche's religious message, and therefore held that the display of the creche was unconstitutional."
Date
1989-06-03
Type
Court Case
Source
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY ET AL. v. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, GREATER PITTSBURGH CHAPTER, ET AL., 1 52 (July 3, 1989)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/492/573/case.html
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/492/573/case.html