Religious Expression in Public Places

• Published in: Religious Expression and the American Constitution p. 25
• Main Author: Haiman, Franklyn S
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United States Michigan State University Press 31.10.2003
• Subjects: Anthropology; Appellate courts; Applied anthropology; Behavioral sciences; Bill of Rights; Ceremonial objects; Ceremonies; Chaplains; Chief justice; Christianity; Clergy; Constitutional amendments; Courts of law; Crosses; Cultural anthropology; Cultural customs; Devotional objects; Federal circuit courts; Federal courts; Federal law; First Amendment; Government; Government officials; Human geography; Judges; Judicial officers; Judicial system; Land use; Law; Political science; Practical theology; Prayer; Public space; Religion; Religious practices; Rituals; Social sciences; Spiritual belief systems; Spiritual leaders; Theology; United States Constitution; United States constitutional law; United States courts; United States federal law
• ISBN: 9780870136900; 0870136909; 0870136917; 9780870136917

There is one aspect of religious expression that is, atypically, entirely noncontroversial. It is that individuals and groups are entirely free to display their religious symbols on their own property and to speak out orally in public places about their beliefs. What becomes problematic, and a potential violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, is when people attempt to display their religious symbols onpublic propertyor when taxpayer money is used in part or in whole to support the expression of their religious beliefs or displays. A source of intense debate in this country over many years