Posted on 07/03/2007 4:58:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
NEW ORLEANS - The American Civil Liberties Union sued the city of Slidell on Tuesday for displaying a painting of Jesus in a courthouse lobby, saying it violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
The ACLU sued after the Slidell City Court refused to voluntarily remove the picture and a message below it that reads: "To Know Peace, Obey These Laws." The ACLU says the portrait — an image of Jesus presenting the New Testament — is a religious icon of the Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity.
"We did not file this lawsuit because the ACLU is anti-religion ... We did file this lawsuit because we believe this display is clearly in violation of the law," said Vincent Booth, president and acting executive director of the Louisiana ACLU chapter.
The suit was filed on behalf of an unidentified person who complained to the ACLU about the picture. Named as defendants were the city of Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and City Judge James Lamz. St. Tammany Parish is being sued because it partially funds the court, the ACLU said.
On Saturday, Lamz said the picture would stay up unless a federal judge ordered it removed. He said he didn't believe the portrait violates the Constitution, but the issue should be decided in federal court.
Lamz could not comment Tuesday because of the pending litigation, his office said.
Before refusing to take the painting down, Lamz consulted Douglas Laycock, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School who has argued before the Supreme Court.
Laycock said he told Lamz that the legal issues in the case aren't clear-cut and could set legal precedent.
"I don't know how far the two sides will want to push things," Laycock added.
The painting has been on display at the courthouse for nearly a decade and hadn't provoked any complaints prior to the ACLU's recent objections, said Michael Johnson, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian civil rights group representing the city and parish.
Johnson, whose group is often at odds with the ACLU, said the painting sends an inclusive message of equal justice under the law. He said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that similar displays in public forums are constitutional.
A painting of Jesus hanging in Slidell City Court house lobby violates a constitutionally mandated separation of church and state Tuesday July 3, 2007 in Slidell, La. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni)
The ACLU isn't anti religion. They're anti-Christian.
The suit was filed on behalf of an unidentified person who complained to the ACLU about the picture. Named as defendants were the city of Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and City Judge James Lamz. St. Tammany Parish is being sued because it partially funds the court, the ACLU said.
These lawsuits where the plaintiff is unidentified are BS. Taxpayers should know the name of their accuser, especially when the tax-exempt ACLU is using him as recruit.
AP is going to have to highlight that line in the Constitution.
Enforcing the atheist worldview without a god is embracing a religion of faith.
Agnostics are the ones who say “how can you know” and would not raise an issue about multiple religious figures appearing in public.
help help i’m being repressed. yep that Jesus pic is violating my rights.
“In order to win their case, the ACLU will have to prove that it is really the Christ, Lord Jesus who is depicted in that painting.”
They will also have to prove that He rose from the dead.
Barbra Striesand!
The ACLU filed the lawsuit because congress funds their lawsuits against religion.
Background:
06/21/07 - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1854193/posts
06/27/07 - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1857232/posts
Then re-hang the frame.
The ACLU is not asking for the frame to be removed.
All will recall why the frame has no painting.
I like it, I like it!
Jesus loves them, they hate Jesus. Seems like we have heard that before.
2 words.
Foot baths.
Thanks for the links and threads!
Where was the ACLU during Katrina?
Jesus was in Slidell, even though the ACLU wasn’t.
When is somebody going to have the stones to sue the ACLU?
ACLU sues city over Jesus painting (Slidell, Louisiana)but defends foot baths for muzzies!!!!
Ironic they are having a “separation of church and state” suit about a painting in SAINT Tammany Parish.
Retarded.
I’ve had enough of being politically correct.
I should sit outside the CAIR office during hours, wearing my Mecca forecast T-shirt.
Get over it ACLU. You are not like you think the law of the land. Anyone ready for defunding these anti-American scumbags.
The pic should remain.
On a different note, on what basis is it against the law to hang pictures of people in the Court House?
I'm tired of the godless pukes at the ACLU telling me what to believe. Screw them.
You’re welcome!
I’ve been to Slidel. Nice town.
Here’s hoping the ACLU looses.
I just checked the local websight. It made it.
http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/07/aclu_sues_to_remove_jesus_pict.html
In this case....going up against Jesus in Louisiana...is kinda like getting caught in bed with a 15-year old girl. The locals just ain’t going to cooperate and the state court system will readily dampen the ACLU spirits. It will simply tighten the locals determination on this....with crosses and Jesus pictures erected on every street corner.
Better yet, re-hang the frame with a white canvas over it that says:
"We're hanging this frame because it's illegal to hang the bastards who made us take down the painting."
The American communist and liberals united against God,His Christ, Christians and Americans Constitution rights are once again using taxpayers monies to violate the first amendment rights of Christians and our Christ and Saviour.
Ever since Katrina, New Orleans scum has been infiltrating Slidell.
Well, as a fully equipped redheaded Irishwoman who is an American citizen, I’m ready to place a curse on the ACLU that would make the wildmen of County Donegal tremble.
Of course they are offended by a painting of Jesus, the overwhelming majority of ACLU Loy-ahs are Jooz
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