SUMMARY: LC 33 5269  LC 33 5386S

Authorizes school systems to provide instruction on the history of traditional winter celebrations; establishes criteria for displays; authorizes traditional greetings regarding the celebrations.

The Senate Education & Youth substitute eliminated the language about the display not including a message that encourages adherence to a particular religious belief.

REQUIREMENTS:

• permissive legislation allowing local systems to:
  • educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations
  • allow students and staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations including:
    • Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays
  • display on school property scenes or displays associated with traditional winter holidays if the display:
    • includes a scene or symbol of more than one religion or one religion and at least one secular scene or symbol
• a traditional winter celebration display may not include a message that encourages adherence to a particular religious belief

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

The greetings referenced in the bill may already be used.

Although the bill mentions secular scenes, symbols and phrase, the emphasis is clearly on the religious scenes, symbols, and phrases.  That is potentially problematic legally.

The option for a display with one secular scene or symbol and one religious one would likely lead to a controversy and possibly a legal challenge.  

What can be displayed legally goes to the reason for the display not just the number of objects.

There are numerous court cases on the subject of religion.  Do we need to add more?

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the General Assembly and signature by the Governor.