Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto A religious volunteer group in Boston, Camp Constitution, asked permission to fly a flag with the Latin cross to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and the city’s religious history. Although Boston had approved 284 flag-raising requests without a single rejection in the preceding 12 years, city officials denied this request because the flag was described as religious. Does religion not belong in public life? This question underlies Shurtleff v. City of Boston, which will be argued before the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The justices’ answer to that question should be based on America’s longstanding religious pluralism—not on confused legal doctrines. For decades Boston has flown various flags over City Hall. According to the city’s website, it does so to “foster diversity” and “strengthen connections among Boston’s many communities.” The city says it welcomes “all applicants.” Flags from many foreign countries have been raised, as have those of organizations such as the Chinese Progressive Association, the Juneteenth Observance Foundation and Boston Pride, and banners reflecting the city’s cultural heritage, such as the Bunker Hill flag, which contains St. George’s cross. Boston’s refusal does more than single out religion for disparate treatment. Boston’s commissioner of property […]
