I suppose each year there are always a number of “ACLU vs. Some Nativity Scene Somewhere” stories.
Maybe it just seems worse this year because the recent election cycle was especially bitter and the country is still buzzing about evangelical voters, morality, red states and blue ones.
It could be I watch too much cable news and I’m just noticing every reference to any dispute over Christmas trees on public property and nativity scenes near government buildings.
100000watts.com reports there are 279 U.S. radio stations providing a “Christmas music format” this year.
Doesn’t it strike you odd that the ACLU or some other annoyed atheist group never go after radio stations playing Christmas music or airing Christmas-related programming?
Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want them to. But, just the same the fact remains: radio licenses are granted by the government though the Federal Communications Commission to operators who agree to run them in the public interest.
If radio stations are technically always owned by the “public” and simply “leased” by the government in this fashion - then why has no atheist has ever sent out a press release to Fox News suggesting there needed to be a separation of church and state?
What’s the difference between the publicly-owned lawn in front of your City Hall and the radio station you wake up to each morning that is required to serve the public – all the public?
It’s something to think about. I don’t have a good legal answer for you. Maybe an attorney who reads this does. If so, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts.
In the meantime, if you enjoy the Christmas season, for whatever reason, be grateful radio stations aren’t under attack – this year.
