>>I understand Tamar's point about public funds being used to put up religious content in public schools - though I still say a Christmas tree with lights is harmless. I have three small ones in my office - for the simple reason that I think they're cool to look at.

I'd agree there's no need to establish new overtly religious official behaviors in 2013. But a street festival during which the Madonna is carried between 2 churches that has happened every year since 1907, a school song first sung in 1886... once everything else is sorted out, I guess it's OK to homogenize this sort of history. Biggest problem is that once you get rid of these things you never can get them back and often they're replaced by something short-term and crass. Or nothing. In which case the Judgment of Solomon should apply.