Below is an excerpt from "On Faith," an Internet feature sponsored by The Washington Post and Newsweek. Each week, more than 50 figures from the world of faith engage in a conversation about an aspect of religion. This week's question: Christmas decorations at the White House include a creche in the East Room (despite reports that White House social secretary Desiree Rogers suggested that the Obamas were planning a "non-religious Christmas"). Should the White House, whose residents serve all Americans, display a creche or a menorah or any strictly religious symbols during the holidays?
Michael Otterson,
Head of public affairs, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"Don't we have enough public concerns to worry about without fretting over whether or not the Obamas want to display a creche in the White House? Even the members of America's first family have a right to express their religious beliefs and decorate their home with symbols of their worship this holiday season. Or not, as the case may be."
J. Brent Walker
Executive director, Baptist Joint Committee
"Of course the White House should be permitted to display a creche, menorah or other religious symbols in the East Room -- or, for that matter, anywhere within the four walls of the mansion. Members of the first family are Christians, but President Obama is the leader of all Americans, complete with our dizzying religious diversity. I would hope the president would display symbols of many religions practiced by Americans at appropriate times of the year."
Jack Moline
Director, public policy, Rabbinical Assembly
"The members of the Obama family ought to be able to observe their faith traditions as they choose in their private residence. In the public areas of the White House, however, every American ought to feel at home. The display of a creche makes a religious statement and is as out of place as a menorah. The issue has to do with what is consistent with the principles of the Constitution, and a creche in the East Room isn't."
Brad Hirschfield
Rabbi, president, National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
"The White House is also a home. The expectation that the Obamas should bracket who they are to please other people is inappropriate and unfair. If anything, we need more symbols, not fewer. Real freedom of expression is not assured by creating empty or neutral spaces, but by creating an ethic that allows us to fill up public spaces without disregard or disrespect for the symbols of others."
