A city courthouse in Louisiana recently mounted portraits of 15 of history’s preeminent lawgivers alongside its painting of Jesus Christ in an attempt to appease a legal group trying to force the removal of the portrait.
The American Civil Liberties Union, however, has not been persuaded to drop the lawsuit against the city of Slidell and maintains that the display violates the separation of church and state.
"The question of whether Jesus needs to come down is the same question," Marjorie Esman, ACLU's new executive director, said Wednesday, according to The Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans. "You can't cure a problem by dressing it up."
Slidell City Court in Louisiana added the framed portraits of famous legislators to its print gallery including those of Confucius, Hammurabi, Moses, Charlemagne, Sir William Blackstone, and others last Friday, one week before a scheduled court hearing at which the Louisiana ACLU will ask a federal judge to remove the Jesus portrait.
“The purpose of the display has always been to use art to emphasize the importance of following the law in order to have a peaceful society. Slidell officials believe this expansion should reassure courthouse users or visitors that this is and always has been the legitimate purpose of the display,” said Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) senior legal council Mike Johnson in a statement.
ADF is a legal alliance which defends and advocates for religious liberties. Attorneys at ADF are representing Slidell City Court Judge James Lamz, the city of Slidell, and the parish of St. Tammany.
The ACLU had filed a lawsuit in July claiming “mental anguish and emotional distress” over the Jesus portrait and asking a federal court to order its removal.
"It's a clear constitutional violation," said Katie Schwartzmann, staff attorney of the Louisiana chapter of the ACLU, in June, according to AP.
ADF’s Johnson, however, argued that “[t]he First Amendment allows public officials, and not the ACLU, to decide what is appropriate for acknowledging our nation’s legal and cultural heritage.”
“The constitution does not prohibit public buildings from memorializing the great figures from our history,” he added.
The painting of Jesus Christ has been on display at the courthouse for more than a decade. Alongside the 16 portraits are a reproduction of the U.S. Constitution and a mounted explanation of the different figures in the prints.
“The explanations address the importance of the figures in the display in contributing to the foundation of laws that govern our land,” said Johnson. “Citizens can find similar historical and educational renderings in many public buildings and courthouses throughout the nation.”
Johnson pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court Building as example, where marble friezes of “great lawgivers in history” are on display.
“It seems that the ACLU, if unchecked, will continue its barrage of legal attacks until every one of those historical references is sandblasted from existence” warned Johnson.
ADF has many times defended communities in South Louisiana against ACLU lawsuits, including after Hurricane Katrina when the ACLU sued to block a privately funded memorial to storm victims because it included a cross.
Christian Post reporter Eric Young in Washington contributed to this report.
Comments
A.C.L.U. = Anti Christian Lawless Union
All I can say is, time is short, and if people don't wake up to the fact that we are heading to the end of times, and that Jesus is THE ONLY WAY, there is not much that can be done. All, even the ones who say there is no God will still have to stand before Him whether they believe in Him or not. The road to hell is wide, and I can see why!
My advise is to totally ignore the postings of all atheists, non-Christians and other crazies on this website. We should tell these lost souls to go and read the Bible and then we can talk, if they are still not convinced that Jehovah God is the Creator of the universe and the Father of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The truth that we believe in is utter foolishness to these modern day pagans, so let's forget about them and concentrate on edifying each other and on finding ways to counter the work of the devil in our midst.
My comment on the lawsuit by ACLU to remove the portrait of Jesus from a public building, is that it is totally insane and crazy. Christians in America are being persecuted right now for their faith in these "little ways" in their own backyard; it is the work of the devil and its workers, and that include all atheists and non-Christians. Christians must recognise this for what it is.
Hummmmmmmm, I guess that makes the ACLU an ANTICHRIST!
It amazes me that so many unbelievers would "waste" their time trying to argue, debate, and try to disprove Christianity on the "Christianpost" website. If you don't believe in Jesus, why are you all even here? Why are you not posting on the athiest sites instead of bothering with this one? What does light have to do with darkness? Or do you think we would trade the truth for lies? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
Well if I were to blame a few christians, I am gonna' start with the Popes, from there I am goning to blame the pastors and preachers of the world for misleading the people. I can put too much blame on the people because they are moved by what the church leaders tell them, and their word is strong because it is backed by god. You see man created god so that he could control others, simple Idea that has provided the formula for sucess for thousands of years. If god does exist, which I do not have to prove he does not because the proof is everywhere, but if he does exist, why did he not reveal himself to the indigenous people of south and central america. Why, were the people of the mid-east given the gift? How can you explain the similarities of christ to the similiarities of other god-men in history, that predat christ by quite a few years? The burden of proof is not on me to prove the non-existance of god, but one the god believer to show me a simple thing that god has done, and don't give me the well god doesn't have to show himself to me or do any mircles. I say BS. This is an age of enlightenment not darkness. We are no longer subjected to the whims of the church. Remember before Vatican Council II, The church did not want the liturgy to be in any language but latin, why? and the koran can only be in Arabic, why? can god not write in other languages? I have nothing to disprove. Give me one shred that god has done something.
gistexan, sorry your having a bad day but can you offer solid proof that there is no God,or does your own faith in this teach you this is so,true there has been people who have agendas all there own but this isnt Gods fault due to free will,everyone is responsible for his or her own actions,the writing within the bible teach that much,but to blame every christian for the falures of a few others isnt fare to those who are christ like,there is coming a day when you will get your wish however you wont like the end there of.
to put to rest the notion that there is no historic and scientific proof of Jesus outside the Bible, we may look to Jewish historian Flavius Josephus and to Roman historian Carius Cornelius Tacitus - both well known and accepted
I would like to say that Jesus has to go. PERIOD, END of Story. I am tired of back woods Christians justifing Jesus and his role in our country. Christianity is as barbaric a religion as is Islam and others. Religion is used by and created by man to control others. God was created in our image not the other way around. Where are the miracles? Where is the healing? Jesus please step to the rear of the bus and make room for common sense.
I am sorry for Hampstead's lack of knowledge of the way our Constitution was created in the first place. All our laws and rules came from God's Word so why can't Jesus' portrait be part of the others on display? The ACLU is becoming fixated on removing God from our lives and forcing us to accept deviant behavior as normal and desirable.
By the way HampsteadPete, did you know that Justice Blackwell took every last word in the Constitution and broke it down to show its biblical reference?
"but the fact is that He is a historical figure (and lawgiver) as well,"
Boy, I would love to see you try and prove that one in a court of law! He"s no more a "proven" historical figure than King Arthur or Robin Hood. Lawgiver? I don't think so. I would like to see you reference one single "law" that is part of the US criminal code, was derived directly from the christ figure, and does not appear in earlier non-biblical sources.
greetings to all,
this is craziness gone out of control ! i see all this madness as fulfilling the Book of Revealations. JESUS is GOD, alive, and coming back for us. we have to prepare for the worst evil yet to come,even to the point of willingly giving up our own lives. JESUS and the HOLY BIBLE we must remain faithful until the end. i consider this a warning sign of the things yet to come, be prepared!
Fortunately, this case will most likely get thrown out based on the following quotes:
(1) “The constitution does not prohibit public buildings from MEMORIALIZING THE GREAT FIGURES FROM OUR HISTORY,” he added.
(2) Alongside the 16 portraits are a reproduction of the U.S. Constitution and a MOUNTED EXPLANATION OF THE DIFFERENT FIGURES IN THE PRINTS.
I do hope the ACLU is made to pay the ADF's legal fees as well at the end of this case. They can argue Jesus' spirituality all they want, but the fact is that He is a historical figure (and lawgiver) as well, so they'll end up with egg on their collective faces.