Atheist threatens to sue over Christian cross in OH city logo

[LARED]

Last edited Sat Aug 4, 2012, 02:51 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.bordaslaw.com/blog/2012/08/atheists-threaten-to-sue-over-christian-cross-in-oh-city-logo-but-will-officials-fight-back.shtml



The offending image

However, in recent days, the atheistic non-profit is back to its regular antics. The group's new target is Steubenville, Ohio, where atheist leaders are demanding that a religious image present on the city's official logo be removed.

Last month, officials agreed to alter the logo after the FFRF complained and threatened legal action over the inclusion of the cross and the silhouette of the Christ the King Chapel. The house of worship is present on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a local higher education facility.

"Crosses do not belong on the logos of American cities. We are not a 'Christian nation' or a theocracy, but were first among nations to adopt a secular constitution wisely separating religion from government," proclaimed FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.

................

Rather than serving as a government endorsement of religion, Bordas claims that the presence of Christ the King Chapel is representative of a landmark that is important to the city of Steubenville.

"I don't know why (city officials) wouldn't want to (uphold the unchanged logo in court) when Franciscan University is such a very important part of that community and ... a big part of Catholic tradition in this country," he continued.

The FFRF, though, is sending warnings to the city, telling officials that offers from conservative groups and from Bordas will go unfulfilled.

"Do not be duped by offers from religious right legal groups," wrote FFRF staff attorney Patrick Elliot, in a letter to the organization. "They may volunteer their time pro bono but they never pick up the plaintiffs' tab.

I see the FFRF is fighting incipient theocracies whereever seculaism is threathened. Thank goodness they are on the job. America's secular government is secure.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Since I don't see a Star of David, or a Crescent of Islam...

...it looks like the Cross is being "endorsed" by the city government.

FFRF is correct in doing this.

[LARED]

4. A question

Since the article points out the image is of an iconic building in town (also a Catholic church) is the symbol 'endorsing' Catholicism, Chrisitanity, or the Franciscan University in town?

[Cooley Hurd]

6. All 3 since the cross is a symbol to all of them...

[LARED]

7. Also

The first amendment speaks about establishing a religion not endorsing a religion. Government has a long and ongoing history of endorsing religion as a benifit to society.

[Goblinmonger]

9. You know there is precedent on this, right?

Google up the Edmond, OK case. The court held that since the city had a cross on their logo it was endorsing that religion and that was a 1st Amendment violation.

[LARED]

12. Yes, I am aware of that case

courts make mistakes all the time.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Establishment clause. NT.

[KansDem]

3. Maybe it's a telephone pole...

[LARED]

5. Perhaps... maybe it's just a silhouette of the

local university's icon.

[rurallib]

8. maybe they could put the words "Franciscan University" or maybe just "FU"

in the city logo?

[dimbear]

14. Most reasonable proposal so far. n/t

[struggle4progress]

15. lol

[EvolveOrConvolve]

10. Why are you yelling?

[LARED]

11. Sorry, not yelling, I did a cut and paste and forgot to fix title.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

13. Okay

Thanks for fixing it!

[Iggo]

16. Good.