Should a courthouse take down a picture of Jesus?

Question

OK, a courthouse in New Orleans is being sued by the ACLU into having a painting of Jesus taken down:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286495,00.html

Now, the debate is this: The painting shows quotes from Jesus about judging people properly. So, since this is technically not a religious image, why should it be taken down? If it were a picture of George Washington with the same quotes, there would be no controversy.

According to the government, it is just a picture of a man with quotes about the judicial system on it. So why should it be taken down?

Some may argue for "Separation of Church and State", but as the painting shows no religious quotes, I don't see how this is an issue.

And I know I used FOX News as a source, but if you are afraid to debate me using it, you can do a Yahoo search and find more references. It's all over the news.

Answer 1

As a Democrat, I do think the ACLU does go too far on certain issues. As long as none of the participants of the courthouse use religion in their decision-making it doesn't bother me.

I am all for separation of Church and State, but I don't believe this qualifies.

Answer 2

Well it is religious in nature because Jesus is advocating a certain philosophy which is rooted in Christianity.

However, nowhere in the constitution or the declaration of independence does it say that the govt has to be atheist and cannot self-express religion. It just says they cant establish it and rightly so. But to attack the religious expression of anybody including the govt needs to stop. If anything, there is a separation of atheism and state due to the fact that God is mentioned many times throughout the previously stated coduments. (Oh how atheists wish they could erase them)

Answer 3

" Not technically a religious issue" ? ? ?

aren't the teachings of this "Jesus" guy the foundation for one the world's largest religions?

The court should absolutely take down this Jesus picture. this is a church and state issue because, even with the supposed "lack of religious quotes", Jesus is still a religious figure, and we live in a country where our judicial system is there to uphold the laws of our country, not the laws/ideas of Jesus.

Answer 4

You answered it yourself, if it was George Washington there would be no question. So obviously you view the picture of Jesus differently, not just a picture of a man. If you want that picture to stay then you would have to put up the other who knows how many religious figures in the world. If you didn't then you are advertising a single belief in a country of many different beliefs in a government building.

Answer 5

How is a picture of Jesus not a religious image?
Furthermore the judicial quotes are biblical passages written in Russian per the link that you provided.

Not only is it a religious image and quotes, it is a christian only religious image and christian only religious quotes. It is irrelevant what language the biblical passages are written in.

This is an endorsement of one particular religion and as such constitutes an act of "establishment" of one particular religion.

This is a clear violation of the first amendment establishment clause.

Have some respect for people that do not believe in the christian faith and leave religion of all types out of the government and governmental buildings.

Answer 6

Considering the founding of our country was "UNDER GOD" than is should be able to remain up as long as the general populace does not mind. Are system is a democratic one in which majority vote should rule. The F***ing ACLU morons have pretty much done away with this which is how 1 lady can go sue her school because some kid made a picture with a cross on it and showed her kid. I say DOWN WITH THE ACLU!!!!
look at this statement from the ACLU:
In representing NAMBLA today, our Massachusetts affiliate does not advocate sexual relationships between adults and children.
NAMBLA:
The North American Man/Boy Love Association.
Wikipedia Def:
New York City and San Francisco-based unincorporated organization that advocates the legalization of pedophilic sexual relations between adult males and young boys.

Answer 7

Religious imagery does not belong in government buildings. We are not about to start putting up images of everyone’s religious leaders along with images that would satisfy atheists.

Government should be neutral on the issue of religion, not favoring one over the other or endorsing any religious viewpoint or lack thereof.

Answer 8

Absolutely they should be required to take it down. Any non-Christian would have a legitimate concern about the impartiality of that court.

It is a religious image because it feature the central character of a particular religion. It shows religious quotes because they come from the book of a particular religion.

Perhaps you would be just as comfortable if the picture was of Muhammed and the quotes were from the Quran, but many Christians would not be.

Answer 9

no
more are needed
to create a gallery.....

"...when we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves..."
--confucius
"...never in the world can hatred be stilled by hatred; it will be stilled only by non-hatred. this is the law eternal...."
--buddha
"...there is no beauty in victory. whoever calls it so delights in slaughter. whoever delights in slaughter is not fit to rule...."
--book of tao
"...the greater the number of laws and enactments, the more thieves and robbers there will be.... "
~lao-tzu
"...corn can't expect justice from a court composed of chickens...."
~african proverb
"...four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave..."
--muhammad
"...in the times to come the people will not judge us by the creed we profess or the label we wear or the slogans we shout but by our work, industry, sacrifice, honesty and purity of character...."
--mahatma gandhi
http://www.adherents.com/adh_leaders.html


separation of church and state IS an issue in the u.s.
an on-goin' one
an important one

"...guard against the postures of pretended patriotism..."
--george washington

Answer 10

It should stay.

Nobody knows EXACTLY how Jesus looks like, we just came up with a picture. So if you want to assume it's a picture of Jesus, anyother person may assume it's a picture of some other guy. Jesus has a different image in each and every one of our brains so it's basically assuming.

Also, this country was founded by CHRISTIANS so there is NO REASON why we should open up to other religions. We may respect them, yes, but I'm not going to BOW DOWN to another religion or Atheists/Agnostics because it offends them. They are IDIOTS....I'm not going to change the foundations of my COUNTRY for YOU.

If you don't like it THEN MOVE TO A COUNTRY THAT WAS FOUNDED WITH YOUR RELIGION.

START YOUR OWN COUNTRY BUT DON'T COME TO MY COUNTRY AND CHANGE MY CULTURE.

Enough said, may the peace of the Lord be with you all.

Answer 11

"In the picture, Jesus is shown holding open a book to display two pages, each with a biblical quotation about judging correctly and wisely."

Key word: BIBLICAL. Blatantly violates the establishment clause. And yes, it is a religious image. If courts would just refrain from trying to get around the law and subtly infuse overtly Christian teachings into the public square, there would not be a problem to begin with.