FFRF, ACLU to settle with Ohio school Re: Jesus picture

[cleanhippie]

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and individual plaintiffs have agreed to settle their lawsuit against the public school district in Jackson, Ohio, for displaying a large portrait of Jesus above the entrance to Jackson Middle School. The district has agreed to permanently remove the portrait.

Details of the global settlement of the issues will be released once they are approved by U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley and by a probate court. Two of the plaintiffs are minors. The parties must file their settlement before the district court within 90 days.

Defendants are the Jackson City School District and Board of Education and Superintendent Phil Howard.

FFRF and the ACLU filed the suit Feb. 6 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio after FFRF sent an initial letter of complaint Jan. 2 to Howard, who stated “it would take a court order to remove the picture.” - See more at: http://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/18115-portrait-of-jesus-displayed-at-middle-school#sthash.nVSaTf4n.dpuf

Seems like the tide is starting to turn on cases like this. The FFRF is doing some amazing work and making the world a better, more inclusive place, simply by reminding schools, school boards, City councils, etc., that these things (like a picture of jesus mounted at the entrance to a school) are Unconstitutional. Most are seeing the legal issues and removing/dealing with the problem, where fewer and fewer are willing to defend their actions in court.

The FFRF is the "common ground" many here like to talk about. Consider supporting them, won't you?

[trotsky]

1. It is unfortunate that even many liberals dismiss so many church-state separation issues...

because they don't think they're "big enough."

What this short-sighted viewpoint fails to recognize is that the larger violations are usually built upon and justified by the smaller ones. I am very thankful the FFRF is there to protect the wall of separation, even when they get flak from those on the left claiming to support church-state separation. It's unfortunate that those people are effectively carrying water for the Republican party and its fundamentalist Christian base.

[el_bryanto]

2. How do you see them as the common ground?

In this particular case I think they are right; I've certainly read other lawsuits they've been a part of where I was didn't agree as much. But I'm curious why they would be common ground for religious types.
Bryant

[cleanhippie]

5. It is my understanding that more liberal believers support a strong separation of church and state.

That is where tje "commin ground" lies. People are free to beleive in whatever gets them through the day, a long ad that belief isnt preferred, supported, endorsed, or forced upon others through legislation or other acts of "government", mich like the jesus picture. YMMV.

[Rob H.]

3. Did Howard think it would be impossible to get a court order or something?

Pretty clear that a public school should never have put up the portrait in the first place--hard to believe it would take something like a lawsuit being filed for him to realize it was wrong.

[Goblinmonger]

4. I'm a proud member

The fact that they fight for what are clearly progressive values is oft forgotten in these parts.

[dimbear]

6. Sounds like smiles all around. The Constitution is smiling, and Howard is

secretly smiling, since from now on he has a badge of persecution he can show.