No holiday season seems complete without legal battles over religious symbols displayed on public property, but 74% of American adults think such displays should be allowed.

Only 17% say religious symbols such as crèches and menorahs should not be allowed on public land, according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Nine percent (9%) are undecided.

Sixty-four percent (64%) say they will celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. Another 27% will celebrate the holiday but in a more secular manner.

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Seventy-two percent (72%) of men and 76% of women approve of religious displays on public property. Nineteen percent (19%) of men and 14% of women are opposed.

While 76% of whites approve of such displays, just 60% of African-Americans agree. A sizable share of married Americans (76%) and unmarrieds (69%) also approve.

Well over 80% of those who earn $40,000 to 100,000 annually are in favor of religious displays on public property.

Eighty-seven percent of Republicans favor the display of religious symbols on public property, compared to 67% of Democrats. Twenty-three percent (23%) of Democrats and eight percent (8%) of Republicans disagree. Unaffiliated voters also overwhelmingly support the displays on public property by a 68% to 20% margin.

Opponents of religious displays on public property argue that they violate a constitutionally-guaranteed separation between church and state. But that guarantee is not specifically written in the U.S. Constitution and continues to be the subject of spirited legal debate.

States and localities usually back down, however, when threatened with legal action over displays of religious symbols such as nativity scenes and menorahs on public property.

Perhaps this year’s biggest controversy surrounds a sign allowed for balance’s sake next to a nativity scene at the Washington state capital. The sign set up by atheists says, "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

Forty-three percent (43%) of Americans say they are having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year, but for 52% just the opposite is true, despite the country’s economic problems at year’s end.

Two-thirds (66%) of adults say Christmas is one of the nation’s most important holidays.

Men are more into the season than women. Just 39% of men say they are having trouble getting into the holiday spirit, while 57% are not. Women are closely divided on the question.

Democrats are similarly divided, while 54% of Republicans, despite the disastrous election results for their party, say they’re into the season. Forty-eight percent (48%) of Democrats and 40% of Republicans are having trouble getting in the holiday spirit.

After reaching record highs in November, the percentage of Democrats who say the country is moving in the right direction continues to fall.
Unaffiliated voters are even more upbeat, with 41% having trouble enjoying the spirit of the season but 55% not having any such trouble.

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