LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Separating church, state

Posted

To the editor:

As a longtime Riverdale resident, I’d like to encourage a community discussion about the holiday displays — the menorah, the Christmas tree — at Bell Tower Park at West 239th Street and Henry Hudson Parkway in central Riverdale.

My interest in this matter arises from my belief that issues related to separation of church and state, and the respect for all religions and no religion, are more important than ever in the current political climate. 

As most Riverdale residents undoubtedly know, Bell Tower Park is an official New York City public park. As many of us probably also know, the U.S. Supreme Court and various circuit courts around the country have made complex rulings on this matter over the years, weighing the facts in each case rather than issuing a single legal standard.

The First Amendment of the Constitution contains what is famously known as the Establishment Clause. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” 

The full language of the clause not only prohibits the government from establishing a national religion, it prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. It also prohibits the government from preferring religion over non-religion, or non-religion over religion.

Year after year, a menorah and Christmas tree are erected at Bell Tower Park. I believe, though I am not certain, that the menorah is privately owned by Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale. I don’t know how erects the Christmas tree. I have never seen a symbol of Islam at Bell Tower Park, or any other religion or non-religion during the holidays.

According to various court rulings and experts on this area of law, a number of facts are relevant to this discussion, such as: Is the religious symbol on public property as part of an announced “public forum”? If the display is sponsored by a private entity or individual, is there a disclaimer identifying the owner, or a sign properly alerting the public that the government does not endorse the religious message embodied in the display?

Is there a written policy and permit process for the public forum that is content-neutral? Are there reasonable time and place restrictions?

I love my neighbors — all my neighbors. I also cherish our Constitutional protections and believe we must actively consider and reinforce them at all levels of government. 

I believe this is a matter that deserves consideration and discussion by Riverdalians moving forward. 

Should these practices continue at Bell Tower Park? If not, could they be moved to and enjoyed on the private property of an appropriate house of worship?

If they continue at Bell Tower Park, should changes be made in a thoughtful way, including a process by which other faith and non-faith communities are offered shared space?

Jennifer Scarlott

Jennifer Scarlott

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