Apparently peace has broken out in Pagosa Springs, Colo., where Lisa Jensen and Bill Trimarco had been ordered to pay a fine of $25 per day after they put up a wreath in the form of the peace symbol. Some residents called the wreath "divisive," and at least a few thought it might be some sort of satanic device.
Now, according to the New York Times, the fines have been dropped. In addition, the three-member board of the association that raised the fuss has resigned -- and two of them have turned off their telephones.
Peace symbols erupted all over town after the initial attempt at censorship, and the town itself is building a peace-symbol wreath to install in its bell tower. All's well that ends well.
And the good people of Bedford Falls all came together to save the town from the greedy Mr. Potter.
Or is that another Christmas story?
Censorship? When it's a Christian symbol that "offends" people then the person putting the symbol up needs to remove it in the name of tolerance. Doesn't tolerance go both ways?
What are you talking about? I see Christian symbols all over the place, especially this time of year. Just take a walk or drive down Christmas Tree Lane or Candlelight Christmas and see all the nativity scenes on peoples' lawns. I never hear any complaints about them.
Thank you Mike D... I had emotional outburst, good catch.
With that said, I will say there are two issues, the first being, does the constitution protect someone displaying a political or religious symbol on private property? The second, does the constitution protect the citizens from NOT being offended by that same displayed symbol?
Of course we know the answer to that.....
It's a bit complicated, but what the Constitution generally does require is that restrictions be content-neutral when it comes to free speech, religious or otherwise. If the homeowners' assocation allowed Christmas wreaths, but not Hannukah menorahs, for example, there would be a problem.
Most of the religious symbols cases in the news involve public property, which is a whole 'nuther subject.