Christmas, Crescents, and Crosses: When Is Symbolic Religious Establishment Permissible?

Symbolic religious establishment (SRE), that is, the noncoercive recognition of religion by state, has become object a growing debate in political philosophy. Although SRE is purely symbolic, some have argued it can be wrong because message inequality sends. The indeterminacy this expressive argument makes its application problematic, however. objective article to improve applicability expressivist providing clear guidelines evaluation SRE. I develop three-step test helps distinguish permissible from impermissible cases SRE: symbols are divisive, political, and not appropriately justified their exclusionary message. One important upshot appeal value heritage does provide plausible justification for introduction new symbols, therefore such neo-establishment always impermissible.