W.Va. school board sued over Jesus artwork

[deadparrot]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Two civil liberties groups sued in federal court Wednesday to remove a picture of Jesus that has hung in a high school for more than 30 years.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the West Virginia American Civil Liberties Union say the painting, "Head of Christ," sends the message that Bridgeport High School endorses Christianity as its official religion.

"I frankly cannot understand why this school insists that it is doing nothing wrong," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "This is pretty clear constitutional law. Public schools cannot promote specific religious ideas."

A vote by the Harrison County school board on removing the painting ended in a tie this month.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060629/ap_on_re_us/jesus_lawsuit

[Bill McBlueState]

1. I never like how these stories about the ACLU are framed

They emphasize that two civil liberties groups are bringing the lawsuit, and the fact that it's being brought on behalf of a local family is relegated to the last sentence.

It's important to understand that these lawsuits come about because local people are being burdened by government endorsement of religion.

[E-Z-B]

2. A picture of Jesus?

Don't people understand the law?

[Bridget Burke]

4. A bad picture of Jesus, at that.

Centuries of great artists have produced images of Christ. But this saccharine, exceptionally Anglo-Saxon version is wretched.



"Help" has been offered, but the school board isn't biting.

ACLU Has Problem With Jesus Portrait on School Wall

Christian Legal Firm Stands Ready to Defend West Virginia School If Sued

By Agape Press

2006-06-17 -- WDC Media News

(AgapePress) - A pro-family legal group is offering to defend a West Virginia school board that’s the target of a lawsuit threat from the ACLU because it has decided not to remove a portrait of Jesus Christ from a local high school.

The Harrison County School Board recently voted 2-2 to leave a portrait of the Savior on the wall of the lobby outside the principal’s office at Bridgeport High School. The American Civil Liberties Union has vowed to sue if the board does not remove the picture. In the meantime, the Center for Law & Policy (CLP) -- the legal arm of the American Family Association -- has offered to represent the school board free of charge in the event the ACLU follows through on its threat.....

The Harrison County School Board has yet to contact the Center for Law & Policy.

www.wdcmedia.com/newsArticle.php?ID=1343

Of course, this article blames "The ACLU"--neglecting the fact that parents contacted the ACLU for help.

[mitchum]

10. Damn, he looks like the bassplayer in a southern rock band!

Who knew?

[xenu]

12. actually...

this picture is really BAD now....he looks like Osama bin Laden!

[struggle4progress]

11. Maybe they could post that "no graven images" commandment beside it

[cyr330]

3. Just wait till CNN picks this thread up. . .

It will trump any real news for weeks. They'll be on it, like stink on shit. I can already see them interviewing Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Anne Coulter, et al. . . "Religion under attack!!!!"

[Igel]

5. Why is it there?

What context is it presented in?

Such stories frequently leave out crucial chunks of info.

[hogwyld]

6. Just what we need

Another "Democrats hate Dog" story. The GD MSM will try to portay us as a bunch of commie atheist out to destroy our country. Jeez.

[KAZ]

8. You do what "Jeez" is short for, no? n/t

:) n/t

[hogwyld]

9. Yeah, I was trying to be a little sarcastic...

Forgot the :sarcasm:

[Jaundice James]

7. My favorite part...

Is that all these assholes will claim that's it's just about tradition or "history" but, meanwhile, you'll have people praying all over the school's front lawn over the shit...

Remember the Moore Ten Commandments? It was supposed to be about history and the origin of our laws and, supposedly not mixing religion with government but you had people ON THEIR KNEES WEEPING PRAYING in front of the monument during the ordeal. I know I have photos somewhere. -JJ