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ACLU Sues Louisiana Town for Displaying Icon of Christ in Courthouse

By Hilary White

SLIDELL, Louisiana, July 4, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The City of Slidell Louisiana is being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union for displaying a 16th century icon of Christ on the wall of the courthouse. The court has refused to remove the picture, and Slidell City Court Judge James Lamz has accused the organization of publicity seeking.

The ACLU sent a letter demanding the icon be removed after receiving a complaint from an unidentified person about the picture. The Louisiana ACLU sent a letter demanding that the court remove the icon saying, "it violates the Establishment Clause, which holds that church and state must remain separate."

The authorities have refused to remove the painting, a copy of a famous 16th century Russian Orthodox icon called "Christ the Saviour." The icon depicts Christ holding a copy of the scriptures; written underneath the icon is the enscription, "To know peace, obey these laws." The picture has hung in the courthouse for a decade without eliciting any complaints.

The ACLU released their letter to the city officials while simultaneously releasing it to the media, which prompted Judge Lamz to accuse the organization of publicity seeking.  Judge Lamz said, "I'm disappointed the ACLU released their letter to the press either before or simultaneously to us, which indicates they're not interested so much in a resolution, but in confrontation and publicity."

ACLU attorney Kate Schwartzmann said, "Well, nothing of course is offensive about a picture of Jesus innately." She added, "The portrait must be removed because "every person entering the courthouse is subjected to it. Moreover, as an admonition hanging in a court of law, it clearly gives the impression that only believers in the law of Jesus Christ will receive justice in that courthouse."

Judge Lamz told media that the icon will remain in place until a federal judge orders it taken down. A local Russian priest translated the words on the icon which are Bible verses that include an injunction to judge rightly, and not by appearance. The other says people will be judged as they judge others.

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