Jul 26, 2012
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City leaders in Steubenville, Ohio have decided to change their official logo after the Freedom From Religion Foundation threatened to sue because the emblem included a silhouette of a cross atop the Franciscan University chapel.
Law Director Gary Repella announced the city’s decision after a closed door meeting – deciding to change the logo because they could not afford a potential lawsuit. The city reverted to a previous logo that did not include the offending items.
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“I researched current case law and found a lot of case laws that do not allow religious symbols in government symbols,” Repella said in comments reported by the Herald-Star.
But officials at Franciscan University of Steubenville told Fox News the chapel and cross were included in the logo because the school is one of the top employers in the area and one of the most recognized entities in the city.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation said this logo is unconstitional.
“We were included in the city’s logo not because of our faith, but rather our role in the community,” said Michael Hernon, the university’s vice president of advancement. “This out of town and out of touch group decided that they wanted to purge all reference to religion from the public life.”
The group is called the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based organization of so-called “free-thinkers” including agnostics and atheists.
They notified city officials of their objections to the logo on behalf of a citizen who was allegedly offended by the inclusion of the cross and chapel.
“We’re pleased with the expeditious response,” FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said in a statement. “It’s so clear why a city cannot and should not send a message that it has a Christian orientation, thereby making Christian residents favored insiders, and non-Christians, including nonbelievers, outsiders.”
Gaylor said government cannot pick sides on religion.
The replacement logo
“All citizens, whether Christian, Jewish, atheist or agnostic, Muslim, etc. – must be welcomed as full participants, and the only way to do that is to keep religion out of government.”
But Hernon said Freedom From Religion Foundation is nothing more than an out of town bully.
“This is a really troubling affair – that in a small place like Steubenville they can come in and try to bully and remove anything that would be close to referencing god,” Hernon told Fox News. “This is awful.”
Hernon said he doesn’t understand why a Wisconsin group would be concerned about what happens in an Ohio city.
“This is an amazing attempt by a small group of people to try to eradicate God and any reference to religion from our country,” he said.
And the Freedom From Religion Foundation may have picked on the wrong city – and the wrong Catholic university.
“We’re passionately Catholic,” Hernon said. “We’re not about to hide our crosses or be ashamed of our faith-based identity. This is something that we need to speak up about and say enough is enough.”
Hernon said it’s time for people of faith to draw a line in the sand.
But an attorney with the organization said the inclusion of the crosses is unconstitutional.
“Any claims of historical or cultural significance to the Latin cross on the Steubenville City logo do not relieve the City of its constitutional obligations,” FFRF staff attorney Patrick Elliott wrote in a letter to Mayor Domenick Mucci. “While we understand that Franciscan University is a part of the City, the City may not depict the University chapel and cross because to do so places the City’s imprimatur behind Christianity.”
FOX News Talk
As a Christian, I will pray for those who seek to remove all links to our Christian heritage. I do not understand their repulsion at the sight of a cross. I suspect when they awaken some day in hell, they may wish they had a cross to gaze at.
As a Christian, I will pray for those who seek to remove all links to our Christian heritage. I do not understand their repulsion at the sight of a cross. I suspect when they awaken some day in hell, they may wish they had a cross to gaze at.
The published goals of the 1960's Communist party for Americai included:
- replace revealed religion with "social" religion.
- Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
The so-called "free thinkers" are simply continuing this campaign. They seek to establish a Godless Leftists autocracy of the "elites".
Steubenville should have help in defending itself against these attacks.
first thing I seen was the mason's s sign not the little cross.
It's not a Mason's sign…it's a bridge.
i know im dumb it looks like one duhhhhh
It's amazing to see just how RELIGIOUS these Atheists are! Christians should take notice of just how much FAITH that Atheists are excercising these days. This latest effort by them to evangelize the world to their DOCTRINE of God-lessness shows a zeal and dedication that most of us Christians only wish we were displaying to the world.
Wake up Laodicea! We're about to get spewed out of God's mouth!
Next they'll want Saint Louis to become just "Louis" and Saint Ptersburg to become "Petersburg"!
Freedom From Religion appears to attack small towns and entities that cannot afford to fight back. Such a bully organization. Wish they would leave us alone and stop perverting the "separation of church and state" definition. The hysteria of the libbers is affecting their thinking.
The "Don't Rock the Boat" leaders of luke warm chrisianity would like to thank the leaders of Steubenville for their efforts in removing a possible embarrassing conflict so that they can slink back to their caves/church sanctuary to continue their invisible and weak kneed support of christians everywhere. They would also like to remind you that preaching to the choir is, in fact, the best way to both spread the 'good news' while offending no one. A "perfect solution!"
I believe in separation of church and state but it does leave Christians with a hard road to climb. Matthew 7 14- Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find. I would hate to see the day when Americans have to practice religion in private for fear of persecution. I don't belong to any church but i am grateful that I have the choice. Don't know that the next generation will have as much. I just don't see it going any other way.
Not if those who "proclaim for the Lord" do it in a closet.
Not if those who "proclaim for the Lord" do it in a closet.
Convert to Pantheism while you still can!
Catering to the flock as usual Mr Starnes. The FFRF has never once tried to purge this country of religion, but to keep religion and govt separate. But none of your flock will believe that. They will be blinded by offense to what they believe is right for everyone and share in your cries of protest. Hate. That's what it is, and it is what I expect from the responses to this post as well.
Catering to the flock as usual Mr Starnes. The FFRF has never once tried to purge this country of religion, but to keep religion and govt separate. But none of your flock will believe that. They will be blinded by offense to what they believe is right for everyone and share in your cries of protest. Hate. That's what it is, and it is what I expect from the responses to this post as well.
Catering to the flock as usual Mr Starnes. The FFRF has never once tried to purge this country of religion, but to keep religion and govt separate. But none of your flock will believe that. They will be blinded by offense to what they believe is right for everyone and share in your cries of protest. Hate. That's what it is, and it is what I expect from the responses to this post as well.
Catering to the flock as usual Mr Starnes. The FFRF has never once tried to purge this country of religion, but to keep religion and govt separate. But none of your flock will believe that. They will be blinded by offense to what they believe is right for everyone and share in your cries of protest. Hate. That's what it is, and it is what I expect from the responses to this post as well.
The Constitution never uses the phrase "Freedom from Religion"….it says Freedom OF Religion…meaning to practice whatever religion you choose….That cross on the Stubenville's logo does not say all residents must practice Christianity…it merely reflects the fact there is a major Catholic University that is a big part of the city….I find it so amazing how a little cross in a logo sets people off….grow up, people, we have MUCH bigger problems than this!
The Constitution never uses the phrase "Freedom from Religion"….it says Freedom OF Religion…meaning to practice whatever religion you choose….That cross on the Stubenville's logo does not say all residents must practice Christianity…it merely reflects the fact there is a major Catholic University that is a big part of the city….I find it so amazing how a little cross in a logo sets people off….grow up, people, we have MUCH bigger problems than this!
The Constitution never uses the phrase "Freedom from Religion"….it says Freedom OF Religion…meaning to practice whatever religion you choose….That cross on the Stubenville's logo does not say all residents must practice Christianity…it merely reflects the fact there is a major Catholic University that is a big part of the city….I find it so amazing how a little cross in a logo sets people off….grow up, people, we have MUCH bigger problems than this!
The Constitution never uses the phrase "Freedom from Religion"….it says Freedom OF Religion…meaning to practice whatever religion you choose….That cross on the Stubenville's logo does not say all residents must practice Christianity…it merely reflects the fact there is a major Catholic University that is a big part of the city….I find it so amazing how a little cross in a logo sets people off….grow up, people, we have MUCH bigger problems than this!
Why do the athiest, anti-relgion groups get to decide what is legitimately relgious symbolism? The cross is as benign a symbol as possible for both athiest and believer. For the unbeliever, it is simply a secular symbol of an ancient Roman torture. For the believer, it is the symbol of the possibility for eternal life. Let the pagans look upon the cross as simply a "cross", nothing more – that's fine. However, let the cross remain as the believer can then look upon those things that inspire the heart and make for a morally grounded citizenry.
Why do the athiest, anti-relgion groups get to decide what is legitimately relgious symbolism? The cross is as benign a symbol as possible for both athiest and believer. For the unbeliever, it is simply a secular symbol of an ancient Roman torture. For the believer, it is the symbol of the possibility for eternal life. Let the pagans look upon the cross as simply a "cross", nothing more – that's fine. However, let the cross remain as the believer can then look upon those things that inspire the heart and make for a morally grounded citizenry.
Why do the athiest, anti-relgion groups get to decide what is legitimately relgious symbolism? The cross is as benign a symbol as possible for both athiest and believer. For the unbeliever, it is simply a secular symbol of an ancient Roman torture. For the believer, it is the symbol of the possibility for eternal life. Let the pagans look upon the cross as simply a "cross", nothing more – that's fine. However, let the cross remain as the believer can then look upon those things that inspire the heart and make for a morally grounded citizenry.
Why do the athiest, anti-relgion groups get to decide what is legitimately relgious symbolism? The cross is as benign a symbol as possible for both athiest and believer. For the unbeliever, it is simply a secular symbol of an ancient Roman torture. For the believer, it is the symbol of the possibility for eternal life. Let the pagans look upon the cross as simply a "cross", nothing more – that's fine. However, let the cross remain as the believer can then look upon those things that inspire the heart and make for a morally grounded citizenry.
A city logo Starnes. Really? You cannot violate federal law and intertwine government and religion. Period. Those free thinkers you mocked are in the right, YOU are knowingly in the wrong. So why write a ridiculously stupid story about a city logo from a tiny town in Ohio? To rile up the right? To keep them in the mindset that it's okay to break the law as long as its for Christianity. I am sure I don't have to mention other religions that also violate laws to prove a point. Write a real story, this is simply not news,
Guess we will have to ban the prayer before every session of Congress then.
Radical LGBT Homosexual Pedophiles are running the institutions today. When will the herd be culled?
Michael, please provide documentation for your ludicrous claim that "Radical LGBT Homosexual Pedophiles are running the institutions today"?
Please!!–I have the FBI on hold, and am awaiting your answer that we may arrest and purge this incipient danger!
Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz Why so defensive? Just read the news. It's all over the place. Sandusky is just the tip of the ice burg. Radical LGBT pedophiles rape and kill more children than mass shootings in this country. Its a fact..
Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz Why so defensive? Just read the news. It's all over the place. Sandusky is just the tip of the ice burg. Radical LGBT pedophiles rape and kill more children than mass shootings in this country. Its a fact..
Michael, I would counter back at you that the statistics prove that Catholic priests have raped more children than the strawman that you are falsely inventing here. Talk about a desperate attempt to slander Gay people? And exactly WHAT strawmen are you fulminating against–the ones that you allege are "running the institutions today", or the ones that you claim are "raping and killing" children? D'uh?!!
Statistics also show that child sexual abuse–EVEN SAME-SEX abuse–is more often than not perpetrated by HETEROsexual males, and is more an indication of authoritarian impulses and domination rather than sexual. Seriously–call a child abuse or rape center and ask them. I did. I learned the truth. You should too.
Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz And Catholic priests are what? Infiltrating Homosexuals. I never understood that argument. You have a homosexual in a church pretending to be a priest, when in reality they are evil deviant militant homosexuals with an agenda.
The argument that same sex abuse is perpetrated by heterosexuals also shows just how far off the rails you LGBT radicals have gone. Homosexuals by and large are deviant evil perpetrators that not only rape and murder little children but they spread GRID like it was free. And the Band Played on… But I digress…
What we need to do is go back to a time when morality trumped political correctness. The minority that is the LGBT needs to be marginalized and classified as a terrorist organization. They are a clear and present danger to children everywhere.
Michael, you speak like a true fundamentalist religious terrorist yourself, honestly. You are indeed ignorant of the true facts of sexual abuse. Simply repeating your own errant drivel doesn't make it true. This is popular myth among religious homophobes like yourself but only because it helps to reinforce the caricature that you have created as a target of your hatred and fear.
Catholic priests live in a repressive, childlike state of sexuality, conditioned by years of an official policy and dogma of their chosen institution. The abuse that they commit is more likely engendered by a psychological connection to children as sympathetic sexual partners, or else by sheer opportunistic reasons, much in the same way that many "straight" men adopt temporary homosexual "lifesyles" in prison in the absence of female sexual partners. (This is known as "situational homosexuality", and usually does not persist once the subject is back in a "normal" environment. ) The fact that boys are usually–but NOT exclusively–victims reflects the position of priests as mentors and superiors in various areas of opportunity.
Let's cut to the chase, Michael–do what I did–call a Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse center and ask them flat out if Homosexuals make up most of child abuse cases. They will tell you the truth–that you are simply incorrect. No ideology needed, it's just FACT.
Hey man.. Whatever floats your boat. Call all the phone numbers you want. It won't change the fact that if you are a priest, teacher or Obama himself and you rape little boys you are a homosexual. No matter how repressive you are, you rape little boys you are a homosexual.
On your other note.. I am no terrorist. Unlike the LGBT my activities do not include rape and or murder little children. I am also not a California transplant and a Registered Democrat like the Colorado shooter was. No, I am no terrorist but I do despise the LGBT. They make excuses for the pedophiles within their ranks which leads me to believe their leadership is inundated with the Sandusky types.
I suppose you could call me a terrorist if my opposition to child rape and or murder offends you. In that case, I could care less..
You're a good example of a person whose irrational, baseless hatred has hopelessly warped their intellect.
What's worse is that, based upon your refusal to access the very avenues of knowledge by simply calling and speaking to a trained professional who could inform you of your erroneous assumptions, you fear the Truth intruding on your hate-filled, flawed ideology and baseless beliefs–THAT's scary, psychologically, Michael. THAT could quite seriously send you down a slippery slope toward violence.
Once more, for the record, STRAIGHT males are more likely to abuse children than Gays. And "LGBT" includes Lesbians, TransGendered people, as well as Bi-Sexuals. You don't even have the proper terminology to describe what you hate.
Raping a child does NOT make one a homosexual. Where did you get THAT idiotic idea? Prisoners in prison routinely rape other men, and that's not about being a homosexual-it's a dominance play, a power move. Your views on sexuality are as juvenile and ill-informed as a preschooler.
Radical LGBT Homosexual Pedophiles are running the institutions today. When will the herd be culled?
Once again, our Constitution does NOT state freedom "from" religion, it only promises not to "force" people into a religion (akin to the Anglican church in England during the 1700s) nor discriminate against those who practice one religion over another.
These "free thinkers" along with many other far-left loons are destroying our country's culture by removing religion entirely – which, whether they like it or not, is the basis for our moral and ethical behaviors. Look how both of those have gone over the past 40 years as liberals have attacked religion over that timeframe!
Once again, our Constitution does NOT state freedom "from" religion, it only promises not to "force" people into a religion (akin to the Anglican church in England during the 1700s) nor discriminate against those who practice one religion over another.
These "free thinkers" along with many other far-left loons are destroying our country's culture by removing religion entirely – which, whether they like it or not, is the basis for our moral and ethical behaviors. Look how both of those have gone over the past 40 years as liberals have attacked religion over that timeframe!
I wish people would actually read the Constitution. The separation of church and state comes from a letter that Jefferson wrote while he was the governor of Virginia. I would love for some one to show me where in the Constitution this so called separation is in writing.
People like Matthew Stump below saying their is no freedom FROM religion… What, are you the Christian Taliban? Everyone must adhere to your beliefs? No escaping from how you think others should live? Your beliefs are going to Govern the rest of us? And this is the "Land of the Free?". Face it, you and those like you are enemies of Freedom. You don't believe you are, but you are. You want your beliefs to hold power over everyone else, and you want everyone else to trust you with governing fairly. Well that is not how this nation works nor was it the
principal it was founded on. You DONT get to govern everyone with your beliefs, we are governed by rule of law to ensure FREEDOM and EQUALITY. This country isn't for you, and this is why you are so upset. You're seeing the results right here in this article. Your hate is losing.
MIke – Your reasoning is circular. You are imposing your beliefs on a majority of Americans.
Unless you are being forced to pray and go to church, then you are not being forced into any religion. A cross on a city logo does not cross the line into coercion.
Memo to Stubenville: ignore the FFRA, let them sue, let them win, ignore the court decision. This is how Obama rules in DC today, and there is no reason the rest of us can't get away with it as well. Giving in to shakedown tactics like this should be illegal, and every judge should throw out such silly suits on their face.
The town of Steubenville should have stood their ground and said "Come and take it". It worked for our ancestors here in Texas. What these bullies need is a good ass kicking.
The fight would need funded. Steubenville is not a rich town!
Exactly. Easy pickings for FFR. Bullies always go after the weak. The Cosa Nostra would be proud of these tactics.
Based on the origins of the word "cross" and it's use by early Egypstians and Babylonians, there is no indication of a crossbeam. So technically, this is not any more a religious symbol than a telephone and/or utility pole. Which apparently the FFR has stuck up their backsides. Plus, the previously used logo they've gone back to looks like a Calvary outpost and I'm certain Native Americans could find something offensive with that.
Maybe the city council can use the money they saved by cowering to buy some spines. What ever happened to courage and principles? This country is no longer governed by the will of the people but by a cadre of special interests.
I fully support the FFRF in its efforts at maintaining the separation of church and state. The City of Steubenville did not "lose" to the FFRF, it lost to the Constitution…which it had been previously ignoring.
All these Anti-Atheist comments only show that the symbols ARE intended to be divisive. Please keep YOUR God, out of OUR country. RAmen.
Sounds like if Annie Laurie Gaylor had a big stiff one in her then she wouldn't have bug up her azz over the town's logo!
I have come to the conclusion that athethism is a religion onto itself and we should erase it from our government.
Nina, you would become that which you hate. Classy.
We are losing our freedom, big time! If the school has had the symbol all this time, why now. This should go to court, Supreme Court.
Let's just forget all this jabbering about Constitution. Separation of state and religion.
The thing is all these things are but a blip on the eons of time. They're the most important thing today and forgotten tommorow. Just like natons of this world here today gone tommorow.
Evil knows small town rural America is the backbone of Christian faith. So why would'nt they be the target of arrows. "Put on the whole armor of God" We are fighting a battle begun long ago and it ain't over yet. Soon the Captain will sound the charge. Are you ready?
Someone should build a church with a big cross right across the street from their headquarters.
Its towns like this that help these bums get away with crap like this. You want a cross on something leave it on there, Its a free country, Start acting like it. All you have here is a bully of the block. And he is not leaving till you fight back.
Pretty soon churches will be forced to remove crosses from their buildings because it might "offend" atheists or non-christian drivers on the roads. This nonsense has to stop!
Again, here is another town that due to the economy cannot afford to withstand a lawsuit from a group of well-funded atheistic bullies. It is a shame that this country has come to a point when we have to shove God into the closet. Laugh and mock if you want "free thinkers" but this country will pay for our disobedience. God will not be mocked.
It's far past time for the true patriots of this nation to respond in mass force against the war that the commies/liberals/regressives/homosexuals/illegals are waging against the constitution and the freedom of the majority of Americans. Liberals and the ilk that try to advance infest this nation with intent to destroy freedom and America at the core.
Free Thinkers are free when it's there idea. If it's a different point of view, they no longer tolerate you or your position. Look at Boston, Chicago and NYC. I call this the land of "Crazies" The constitution works both ways. For the Atheist and liberal demagoguery and for those who have religious beliefs.
The left is bothered by Christian symbols because they represent a STANDARD that a very large number of Americans have followed since the inception of this country. That is not to say that everyone who was an American was a Christian, or that they all followed the exact same rules, or that the law tied directly to the Christian Bible…just that there was a basic set of standards that harkened to the values represented in the Bible. However, the political left worships the almighty state…they want IT, the political entity, to be the arbiter of all…and they cannot stand competition or that Americans have traditionally anchored their rights in a higher power…so, religion must go…and in the USA, Christianity represents the mainstream opposition to the leftist state…so, it is what gets attacked…these leftists want to bring about a "peoples' socialist workers paradise" and they can't do that as long as the United States of America has some other set of standards to operate under, no matter how unofficial those standards may be…so the left works ceaselessly to undermine and eradicate those standards…and erasing the symbols is part and parcel of their efforts. I'll likely be attacked on this, but I don't care…I call it like I see it.
The left is bothered by Christian symbols because they represent a STANDARD that a very large number of Americans have followed since the inception of this country. That is not to say that everyone who was an American was a Christian, or that they all followed the exact same rules, or that the law tied directly to the Christian Bible…just that there was a basic set of standards that harkened to the values represented in the Bible. However, the political left worships the almighty state…they want IT, the political entity, to be the arbiter of all…and they cannot stand competition or that Americans have traditionally anchored their rights in a higher power…so, religion must go…and in the USA, Christianity represents the mainstream opposition to the leftist state…so, it is what gets attacked…these leftists want to bring about a "peoples' socialist workers paradise" and they can't do that as long as the United States of America has some other set of standards to operate under, no matter how unofficial those standards may be…so the left works ceaselessly to undermine and eradicate those standards…and erasing the symbols is part and parcel of their efforts. I'll likely be attacked on this, but I don't care…I call it like I see it.
The left is bothered by Christian symbols because they represent a STANDARD that a very large number of Americans have followed since the inception of this country. That is not to say that everyone who was an American was a Christian, or that they all followed the exact same rules, or that the law tied directly to the Christian Bible…just that there was a basic set of standards that harkened to the values represented in the Bible. However, the political left worships the almighty state…they want IT, the political entity, to be the arbiter of all…and they cannot stand competition or that Americans have traditionally anchored their rights in a higher power…so, religion must go…and in the USA, Christianity represents the mainstream opposition to the leftist state…so, it is what gets attacked…these leftists want to bring about a "peoples' socialist workers paradise" and they can't do that as long as the United States of America has some other set of standards to operate under, no matter how unofficial those standards may be…so the left works ceaselessly to undermine and eradicate those standards…and erasing the symbols is part and parcel of their efforts. I'll likely be attacked on this, but I don't care…I call it like I see it.
Excellent news!
Oh, and Todd Starnes, thank you for posting news of the victory of the rule of law. It would have been a shame had the city wasted taxpayer money fighting a losing battle.
I don't why they ever changed the logo. The old one looks great! The purple water,..nice!
Separation of Church and State is NOT written in the Constitution anywhere. Look it up. It was in letters from Thomas Jefferson that were sent to Danbury Baptists.
I support the separation except for when its cuz irritated atheist want to defend their beliefs. The seperation is because the church is the peoples, not the gov's. Giving an image if Christ to the govt is just plain silly and dangerous for any believer cuz now the govt can demand "you will marry gays, we paid for you…"
J, what Jefferson meant was that gov't should not run a church. But there is no law or anything written that says they cannot.
It's far past time for the true patriots of this nation to respond in mass force against the war that the commies/liberals/regressives/homosexuals/illegals are waging against the constitution and the freedom of the majority of Americans. Liberals, and the ilk that they try to advance, infest this nation with intent to destroy freedom and America at the core.
Good and evil can not coexist so this nation must rid itself of the liberal/commie infestation or risk the end of America as she was founded.
NOW HERE'S SOMETHING THAT ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT ARE MAD AT CHIC-FIL-A, AND JUST LOOKING FOR A FIGHT , TO FIGHT ABOUT. iF THIS DOESN'T PISS YOU OFF, THEN YOUR JUST A TROUBLE MAKER! wHERE IS THIS GONNA STOP? WE HAVE GOT TO ALL GET TOGETHER, STICK TOGETHER, AND FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM WHICH WE ARE LOSING IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTIANITY, FINE, BUT DON'T TRY TO BLUFF IT OUT FROM UNDER ME. I WILL FIGHT FOR MY RIGHTS AND YOURS TILL GOD COMES AND GETS ME! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND YOU!
WELL SAID MY FRIEND—HOOORAH
Until the laws changed that allow the winners of these insane law suits to collect their legal fees from the losers, this threat will always be there. I bet these organizations and some individuals would not be as quick to sue, if they knew that if they lost, they would have to pay the defendents legal bills.