Americans: Nativity Scene More Appropriate than Menorah

Americans say Nativity scene has a more positive effect on a neighborhood --

Flemington, NJ, December 7, 2010 – Results from a new national study among 3,226 Americans revealed that the majority reported that the Nativity scene is more appropriate than a Menorah in public places.

The recent study was conducted by HCD Research and reported on its mediacurves.com® website during December 6-7 to obtain Americans’ perceptions of the appropriateness of religious symbols in public places.

During the study, half of the participants viewed a photo taken of a Menorah in a public place, while the other half viewed a picture of the Nativity scene in a public place. After viewing the photos, participants were asked the same questions about the appropriateness and their comfort level of the images.

The study indicated that Americans are more tolerant of the Nativity scene in public places compared to the Menorah. When asked how appropriate the religious symbols were in front of a public library, 44% indicated that a Menorah is “extremely or somewhat” appropriate compared to 71% who indicated that the Nativity scene is “extremely or somewhat” appropriate. When asked how appropriate the religious symbols were in front of a public high school, 27% indicated that a Menorah was “extremely or somewhat” appropriate compared to 59% who indicated that the Nativity scene was “extremely or somewhat” appropriate.

When respondents were asked the effect a house with a Menorah has on the neighborhood, 18% indicated that the Menorah “brings down the neighborhood” compared to 4% who indicated that the Nativity scene “brings down the neighborhood.”

Among the findings:
Looking at the picture, how appropriate would this symbol be if it was in front of the public library?
Menorah Nativity Scene
Extremely Appropriate 12% 44%
Somewhat Appropriate 32% 27%
Somewhat Inappropriate 34% 16%
Extremely Inappropriate 23% 13%
Looking at the picture, how appropriate would this symbol be if it was in front of the public high school?
Menorah Nativity Scene
Extremely Appropriate 7% 34%
Somewhat Appropriate 20% 25%
Somewhat Inappropriate 34% 19%
Extremely Inappropriate 39% 21%
If this symbol was on your neighbor’s lawn, which of the following best describes the effect this house has on the neighborhood?
Menorah Nativity Scene
Improves the neighborhood 7% 38%
Brings the neighborhood down 18% 4%
Neither improves the neighborhood nor brings it down 75% 58%

ENDS

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