Pennsylvania County Agrees To Remove Religious Symbols From Courthouse Lawn

[and-justice-for-all]

December 17, 2009

Luzerne County Courthouse Display Of Nativity Scene And Menorah Violated Constitution, Civil Liberties Groups Advised

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. – The Luzerne County Commissioners have agreed to remove two separate religious displays – a crèche and a menorah – from the lawn of the Luzerne County Courthouse after receiving a letter from Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania.

In the Dec. 11 letter, the two civil liberties groups informed the county that the displays are an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.

“The reason the law forbids government endorsement of religion is because, in the words of Justice O'Connor, ‘endorsement sends a message to nonadherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherent that they are insiders, favored members of the political community,’” said Mary Catherine Roper, staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania. “The courthouse – the symbol of the law in Luzerne County – is an especially important place to respect the diversity of beliefs in our community.”

Added the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “I expect to see religious symbols at houses of worship, not government buildings that serve Americans of all faiths and none. I am pleased that the Luzerne County Commissioners realized that these displays violated the Constitution and took action to remove them.”

More: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/12/pennsylvania-county-agrees-to.html