General Discussion

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts) Mon Dec 16, 2013, 03:51 PM Dec 2013

Does the fact that Christmas Day is a Federal Holiday violate the separation of church and state? [View all]

21 votes, 1 pass \| Time left: Unlimited
	Yes. Christmas Day being a Federal Holiday violates the separation of church and state.
	7 (33%)
	No. Christmas Day being a Federal Holiday does not violate the separation of church and state.
	14 (67%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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49 replies

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Does the fact that Christmas Day is a Federal Holiday violate the separation of church and state? [View all] Nye Bevan Dec 2013 OP

No, but a prayer at the inaugeration does. nt Demo_Chris Dec 2013 #1

How, exactly? brooklynite Dec 2013 #7

Really, is that technically correct? Who knew. But then that's all nonsense... Demo_Chris Dec 2013 #13

They're gathered together for the swearing-in, not the singing, praying or speechifying. nt MADem Dec 2013 #16

Using that logic government sponsored prayer is acceptable at ANY function... Demo_Chris Dec 2013 #17

If you think religious (and even some who are not) students don't pray before the MADem Dec 2013 #19

You missed the voluntary element and the fact that the MADem Dec 2013 #22

No problem, I wasn't ignoring you... Demo_Chris Dec 2013 #23

I spaced out, to be honest--I thought when I read your comments MADem Dec 2013 #25

You seem to ignore the "public funding" of the event. cleanhippie Dec 2013 #28

A huge amount of that shindig is DONATED. You missed that part. MADem Dec 2013 #34

How much public money is spent on that ceremony? cleanhippie Dec 2013 #27

Actually, not that much... brooklynite Dec 2013 #36

Yes, but it's violated all over the place anyhow. HERVEPA Dec 2013 #2

As far as I know Drale Dec 2013 #3

It is also a holiday for everyone else who are not in the Federal Government. Lint Head Dec 2013 #4

If Christmas was viewed as exclusively a Christian religious holiday - there would be a point to Douglas Carpenter Dec 2013 #5

For Santa loving athiests....there's nothing there to separate. Day off to be with the fam, woo hoo Sheepshank Dec 2013 #6

Has no bearing on me being UK dipsydoodle Dec 2013 #8

No, the Supreme Court has held that Christmas is a secular holiday jberryhill Dec 2013 #9

Christ was effectively dropped from Christmas a long time ago. JoePhilly Dec 2013 #10

no, and it's convenient anyways because most would want the day off JI7 Dec 2013 #11

How would people feel about having the last Monday off ... Bad Thoughts Dec 2013 #12

It is derived from the Roman Saturnalia FarCenter Dec 2013 #14

Being a federal holiday pipoman Dec 2013 #15

it is as much as putting a nativity scene on public lands but everyone wants a day off so leftyohiolib Dec 2013 #18

+1 cleanhippie Dec 2013 #29

I think Bridenbaugh v. O'Bannon allows for the federal and local governments to give time off withou LanternWaste Dec 2013 #20

Obvious war on my vacation time post! grahamhgreen Dec 2013 #21

Christmas is an old Pagan Holiday. B Calm Dec 2013 #24

Jesus isn't the reason for the season NoOneMan Dec 2013 #26

I voted Yes but changed my mind. sibelian Dec 2013 #30

Christmas has long been the biggest secular consumerist salesy holiday of the year nt magical thyme Dec 2013 #31

Why is there no 'I Like To Vote' option? Inkfreak Dec 2013 #32

There are multiple views on where Christmas comes from... sibelian Dec 2013 #33

No more than New Yrs Day or Columbus Day do. uppityperson Dec 2013 #35

A day off transcends religion. DirkGently Dec 2013 #37

What about thanksgiving? The Straight Story Dec 2013 #38

Before the early church lied about the birth date of christ in order to steal the day LostOne4Ever Dec 2013 #39

Less "stealing a holiday" and more the typical and historical process of 'acculturation'. LanternWaste Dec 2013 #40

They are also off on Sundays, oneshooter Dec 2013 #41

Easter is not a federal holiday Major Nikon Dec 2013 #42

stop disrupting CreekDog Dec 2013 #43

Damn. I forgot to check that this poll was acceptable to you before posting it. Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #46

... Agschmid Dec 2013 #44

Where I grew up, we got Jewish holidays off school. BlueCheese Dec 2013 #45

Nah. Everybody gets the day off - not just Christian federal employees rucky Dec 2013 #47

I demand a holiday for Festivus. Coyotl Dec 2013 #48

When non-christians stop celebrating it. quaker bill Dec 2013 #49