United States and Russia

United States

In the United States, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States has had significant legal impact upon the activities of governments and of public schools during and relating to the Christmas/winter holiday season, and has been the source of controversy.

Public schools are subject to what the Anti-Defamation League terms the December Dilemma,^[32] namely the task of "acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during that time of year" whilst restricting observances of the various religious festivals to what is constitutionally permissible. The ADL and many school district authorities have published guidelines for schools and for teachers.^[33] For example: The directive on maintaining religious neutrality in public schools over the Christmas/winter holiday season, given to public school administrators in the District of Columbia by the Superintendent,^[34] contains several points on what may and may not be taught in the D.C. school district, the themes of parties and concerts, the uses of religious symbols, the locations of school events and classes, and prayer.

Russia

In Moscow in 2002, for the Christmas/winter holiday season mayor Yuriy Luzhkov ordered all stores, restaurants, cafés, and markets to display decorations and lights in their windows and interiors from December 1 onwards, and banks, post offices, and public instutitions to do the same from December 15 onwards, with violators liable for fines of up to 200 rubles. Every business was ordered to have illuminated windows from 16:30 until 01:00. This caused a mixed reaction, with people objecting to being forced to put up decorations.