Símbolos religiosos y deber de neutralidad estatal: el supuesto de los crucifijos en las aulas como excusa para aproximarse a la relación entre religión y Estado

Abstract

The relationship between Religion and Public Power – or Religious Creeds and State, as preferred ‒ is not an easy issue. For centuries it has been a social and political problem. Nowadays it remains as one of the most complex subjects Legislators and Courts must face. The Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States is extremely enlightening for the path other countries should follow, such as Spain, since they have been dealing with that topic for decades guided by the freedom of choice and the duty of neutrality the State must respect. It seems useful to go over it now that the problem of the presence of religious symbols in public spaces (crosses in public schools) has arisen among us.