Religious Displays on Public Property

I’m acquainted with Vanessa Poster and agree with her on a variety of matters. But I must strongly disagree with her letter regarding a Nativity scene in a public park (Letters to the South Bay Editor, Dec. 3, “American Spiritual Liberties Union”).

If the Redondo Beach City Council justifies its decision by noting other religions are welcome to display their traditional holiday symbols, this is not called naivete, as Poster claims; this is called inclusiveness. The ASLU cannot be penalized if other religions don’t “have the finances and the elaborate decorations already prepared for public display.”

I deeply understand the underlying concern that erupts whenever a branch of the Christian right attempts any coup, small or large. The Nativity scene issue is undoubtedly perceived as merely one movement of a pawn by a chess champion during a high-stakes match. Nativity scenes in the park today; prayer in the schools tomorrow, right?

This is a good time to go on record as being a former Christian who finds much of what is done by the Christian right abhorrent, destructive and unforgivable. But also I state for the record I embraced the terms “inclusiveness” and “cultural diversity” the first time I heard those terms tossed around by gay rights groups, feminist organizations, anti-racism educators, women’s spirituality practicers. . . .

Poster begins her letter with the statement “the price of liberty really is eternal vigilance.” I would add “the price of liberty is true inclusiveness and true cultural diversity.” In this case the price we must all pay is tolerance of a publicly displayed religious/spiritual holiday symbol, not necessarily our own. If true cultural diversity and inclusiveness existed, no group would have to wonder for a single moment whether the city council might deny them the right to use a public place to celebrate their spiritual/religious holiday symbol.

Perhaps Poster would consider putting a display together that celebrates her religious beliefs, to place alongside the Nativity scene. And, this is a golden opportunity for atheist groups to publicly display some symbol of their beliefs. I’d also love to see Kwanzaa displays, Hanukkah displays, Wiccan displays . . . all sharing the same public park.

ROBIN OPANEYE

Altadena