Religion
In reply to the discussion: Atheist group sends 2nd complaint about war memorial [View all]longship
(40,416 posts)When any government entity -- federal, or local via XIV amendment -- uses its power to express a specific religious viewpoint, it is non-Constitutional. Period!!
There is no other possible interpretation, especially considering the extensive case law upholding these very principles.
So any argument to the contrary has a steep cliff to climb.
The key word is "respecting". If you disagree, I suggest you check out the Congressional debates during the adoption of the First Amendment. There were several different versions of the amendment before both the House and Senate. The most liberal one, the one we know today, was adopted by the Senate unanimously. All others went down in flames. Same thing had happened in the house.
And SCOTUS has consistently upheld that principle.