After we installed the Freedom From Religion display on the Concord City Plaza earlier this month, a self-identified church member walked by and we asked him to take our photo. He obliged and then said: “I agree with that a lot (pointing at our display) and I really disagree with this (pointing at the creche). It’s disgraceful for our government to allow this”
Of course, we couldn’t agree with him more.
The creche is only there because the city has designated that area as a free speech zone, otherwise it would be illegal for that display to be on city property because it is clearly a government endorsement of the Christian faith. Anyone encountering that display can only conclude the birth of Christ is religious in nature (the creche and the Holiday Tree were blessed after installation, according to the Monitor) and that the city allows it to happen.
During the holidays we have a Christian face to our city. What does this say to the people of other faiths or no faith at all, the 30% of Americans who identify as non-religious, according to Pew Research? It says city government is Christian. There is no sign saying this is a “free speech” area to provide context about why the government is or is not endorsing religion.
There is a better place for the creche; it is the Catholic Church down Main Street about a thousand feet south. No one will mind it being there at all.
I will say that next year the local freethinkers are considering going big with our display to compete more effectively for the minds of Concord. We have heard that the Satanists have a 12-foot-tall statue of Baphomet sitting on a throne. Maybe we could get that to have a counterpoint to the creche in the free speech zone. I wonder what kind of reaction that would get? Hey, it’s just another religion!
If you think your religion belongs in our government then I hope you won’t mind when our government gets your religion to pay taxes.
Keep religion and state separate.
(Jack Shields lives in Penacook.)