Federal Court Upholds Century-Old Cross and Nativity Display in Los Angeles

Faith Facts

• The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the right of Los Angeles to display a century-old cross and Nativity scene in a historic district.
• A federal court rejected an atheist’s constitutional challenge, affirming that the displays do not violate the First Amendment.
• Religious liberty advocates called the ruling “common sense” and a victory for preserving America’s Christian heritage.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Los Angeles can continue displaying a historic cross and Nativity scene in one of its longstanding cultural districts. The decision follows an atheist’s attempt to remove the displays on constitutional grounds.

The court declined to overturn a lower court’s earlier ruling that rejected the challenge. This means the century-old symbols of faith will remain in place as part of the city’s historic character.

Religious liberty groups praised the outcome as a win for traditional American values. They noted that the displays have stood for generations without establishing a state religion.

“This is common sense,” said a representative of the religious liberty law firm involved in the case. “The Constitution does not require the government to erase religious history from public spaces.”

The ruling reinforces the principle that longstanding religious symbols in public settings are not automatically unconstitutional. Courts have increasingly recognized the historical and cultural significance of such displays rather than viewing them solely through a modern secular lens.

Preserving these expressions of faith aligns with the values that shaped America’s founding. Communities across the nation continue to defend their right to honor their religious heritage without fear of legal erasure.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.