Konstytucyjność bożonarodzeniowej symboliki w przestrzeni publicznej w świetle orzecznictwa sądów Stanów Zjednoczonych
Constitutionality of Christmas symbols in the public space in view of the case law of the United States courts

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the issue of legality of displaying Christmas symbols, in particular creche, on public property. The problem is considered in the context of the constitutional freedom of speech and the Establishment Clause in the U.S. legal order. In the case law it is assumed that a presentation of creche in public space is constitutional, provided that the Nativity scene is a part of a display also featuring secular holiday symbols, such as Santa Claus, reindeer, snowman or Christmas tree. According to the author, the so-called “plastic reindeer rule” trivializes religion and reduces creche to a fairy-tale ornamentation. The author is of the opinion that public authorities can constitutionally use an “unsecularised” symbol of creche to show historical, religious origin of Christmas.

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