Apr 17 2008
The end of the world is near…I agree with the ACLU again!
[ABC News]
Displaying a portrait of Jesus in the foyer of a Louisiana courthouse is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled this week, siding with civil libertarians who sued over the display. But inserting Jesus within a group portrait of historic figures at the courthouse is permissible, the judge said.
In a ruling filed Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle awarded “nominal” damages plus attorneys’ fees and costs to the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana in its case against Slidell City Court, Judge James Lamz and St. Tammany Parish, which partially finances the court.
Read about it here.
[From me]
As a follower of Jesus I wouldn’t want a picture of Buddha or Muhammad on the wall of a courthouse. I don’t need a picture of what people think Jesus looked like to remind me to live for Him. I’m reminded daily as I read His word.
What do you think?
5 responses so far
Great perspective!
Good,
We had our monthly agreement!
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..The end of the world is near…I agree with the ACLU again!
I think our record so far is 3-in-a-row
We have no idea at all what Jesus looked like. Not really. Only some assumptions based on depictions from medieval times. So how can it *possibly* be claimed that this is a picture of Jesus Christ?
Per the strictest interpretation of the law, this judge’s ruling can’t pass muster because it cannot be established for certain that the person in the painting IS Jesus at all. That could be a portrait of ANYONE. Could be Jesus. Could also be Buddah or Muhammad or Lao Tzu or whoever else someone could claim it to be.
Heck, according to the precedent this judge is setting, I could put up a picture of Scooby Doo adorned with the word “JESUS” in a courthouse and it would have to be taken down, because according to his ruling, Scooby Doo would be Jesus.
Verily verily I say unto you: when mere men can declare with the weight of the law that Jesus is whoever they want Him to be, He truly has become a “personal savior”.
I just finished watching another episode of HBO’s John Adams. Once again I am left to wonder: How in the world did we come to this, having fallen from so much virtue?
Chris Knight’s last blog post..Potential breakthrough in creation of renewable oil receiving too little attention?
Chris,
That’s an excellent observation! It’s possible that the only reason the ruling could stick at all was because it was uncontested that the picture was a representation of Jesus.