Christmas, Constantine, and the Establishment Clause

[cardenio]

Someone please correct me if my logic or facts are off.

Constantine supported Christianity, but he did not establish it as the religion of Rome.

I.e., in Rome, the government (Constantine) supported a religion (Christianity).

But it was not established. Pagans were free to practice.

The First Amendment says (wording may be a bit off, going from memory here):

Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or restricting the free exercise thereof…

If the government gives money to a church, or a mosque, or a synogague, this is support of a particular religion.

But the Constitution says nothing about support of religion. The Constitution only mentions establishment of religion.

Also, there is no right not to be offended.

Therefore:

Saying “Merry Christmas” in a situation supported by the government is not unconstitutional.

 

[gilliam]

cardenio:

If the government gives money to a church, or a mosque, or a synogague, this is support of a particular religion…

Depends on what the money is used for. If it is used, for example, to feed the poor, without respect to religion, then one could argue, that it is not supporting a particular religion.

But the Constitution says nothing about support of religion. The Constitution only mentions establishment of religion.

But the courts have (from the earliest days of our nation).

Also, there is no right not to be offended.

Therefore:

Saying “Merry Christmas” in a situation supported by the government is not unconstitutional.

I don’t follow that your conclusion stems from your antecedents.

 

[cardenio]

hmmm…

so i’m not the brilliant genius my ego wanted me to be.

ah, well. c’est la vie.

thank you, gilliam.

 

[gilliam]

cardenio:

hmmm…

so i’m not the brilliant genius my ego wanted me to be.

ah, well. c’est la vie.

thank you, gilliam.

Mull it over some more and see if you can come up with another approach to the argument.