State Senator Joey Hensley, who is also a medical doctor, asserts that the celebration of Christmas and other religious expressions are fully safeguarded by the U.S. Constitution, countering widespread misunderstandings surrounding the concept of “separation of church and state.” He clarified that this phrase does not actually appear in the Constitution itself; rather, it originated from a private correspondence penned by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, well after the First Amendment was ratified. Hensley pointed out that judicial rulings have consistently maintained that the complete removal of religious expression from public venues is as unconstitutional as the establishment of an official state religion.
In Hensley’s view, students are entitled to express their religious beliefs within educational institutions, provided that such expressions do not disrupt the learning environment. This encompasses verbal greetings like “Merry Christmas,” the wearing of clothing or symbols that convey religious messages, and the distribution of written materials, including school assignments and greeting cards. He emphasized that state legislation permits both students and school personnel to exchange seasonal greetings such as “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” or “Happy Holidays” without the threat of legal repercussions.
Furthermore, Hensley pointed out that educational settings may incorporate Christmas music, lessons that explore the biblical origins of the holiday, and performances depicting the Christmas narrative, as long as these activities are framed within cultural, historical, or artistic contexts. Courts have acknowledged that Christmas is an integral part of American heritage, thus allowing such educational activities to take place.
Additionally, Hensley stated that nativity scenes are permissible in public areas. Private individuals are allowed to set up nativity displays in public parks and other traditional public forums. He also noted that governmental entities can include religious elements in their seasonal displays, provided these are balanced with secular items to maintain fairness.
Hensley underscored that both the Constitution and a long history of court decisions uphold the right to religious expression in public schools and government buildings. He argued that attempts to eliminate religious references from Christmas celebrations do not arise from constitutional mandates but rather from efforts to stifle religious expression, which he believes contradicts the protections guaranteed by the Constitution.