Will the Supreme Court Revisit Public Religious Displays?

The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in American Legion v. American Humanist Association on Feb. 27, a case that will decide whether the Bladensburg Peace Cross, a 40-foot Latin Cross located on government property and maintained with government funds, violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The lawsuit was brought by local residents who are offended by the presence of a Christian symbol in a public park and the use of taxpayer money to pay for that religious symbol. Various Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups have filed amicus briefs arguing both for and against the constitutionality of the Peace Cross.

In addition to resolving whether this particular cross may remain on government property, the case gives the court an opportunity to clarify the test used to determine when government-sponsored religious displays violate the First Amendment.