Today at the Supreme Court: Shurtleff v. Boston. Officials of the Cradle of Liberty were happy to fly the rainbow (Pride) flag and the Islamic-themed flag of Turkey, but a Christian-themed flag was unacceptable (284 applications were approved over a 12-year period and this single group was denied).
“Several Juneteenth Events Planned As Massachusetts Observes Official Holiday For First Time” (CBS) and “Boston Raises Pride Flag On City Hall Plaza” (CBS) have videos of example events.
The Christian group’s petition gives the history. According to the city, everyone should feel included (sometimes the best way for a Christian to be included is for Christians to be excluded?):
In my view, the petition incorrectly characterizes Rainbow Flagism as a “cause” rather than as a religion.
Although the city itself says that this is supposed to be a “public forum”, which you might think would require allowing the Christian group to participate, so far the appeals courts have all sided with the city’s policy of excluding this one group.
Given that Boston shut down its schools for more than a year while keeping marijuana stores open, and that marijuana retailers are such big advertisers in the city (see above) and on Mass Pike billboards, I’m disappointed that the petition cannot cite an example of a flag devoted to healing cannabis (Ivermectin for Democrats, as one reader here commented). I think it would be fun to apply to fly the “Rainbow Marijuana USA Stars Flag Gay Pride Lesbian LGBT” flag:
Readers: Where do we think the Supreme Court will come down on this case?
Related:
- Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (the same chain of courts approved race-based admissions at a school that receives federal funding)
I fail to see how it matters what I think! It’s obvious that most of these decisions are being made on a permanent basis by people who couldn’t care less what I think, and won’t ever care what I think. That’s Democracy!
My prediction is that they will allow the flag because it’s a relatively unimportant thing in comparison to the issue with main cornerstone of the new and vigorous religion (the Harvard race based admission decision).
I am surprised that appellate courts have not already done that: let the remnants of the once powerful faith but now almost defunct have their toy.
Your lack of faith does not effects Gods existence. Just YOUR eternity!
As I understand it, the city bureaucrat would allow a “Camp Constitution” flag, but not the overtly Christian https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag .
The other flags that contain religious symbols are exempt from that rule, because they represent sovereign nations.
Since the Supreme court will (unfortunately) not follow the rainbow-flagism-is-religion argument, I predict that Camp Constitution will lose. They’ll cite separation of church and state.