Christian Post reported that a thuggish Atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) of Wisconsin has insisted that the city remove a cross from their city’s logo. The city caved but then reversed that decision which is now in limbo.
The Atheists aren’t from Steubenville so there is no reason for them to be offended.
Steubenville was targeted.
The Steubenville logo was designed by a businessman in 2011 and it included Franciscan University with its historic Christ the King chapel which has a prominent cross on its spire as one would expect.
Of course separation of church and state does not mean you can’t have a cross depicted in city photos or logos. The chapel is part of their history and their current architecture.
The atheists see it differently. They are dedicated secularists who want to deprive everyone else of their rights. It’s not the other way around as they would have people believe.
The atheists said,
“Steubenville is a theocracy and is a Christian city where non-Christians or nonbelievers are not favored citizens. The city may not depict the university chapel and cross because to do so places the city’s imprimatur behind Christianity. The city of Steubenville must not endorse ‘faith’ and church. While we understand that Franciscan University is 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. This excludes non-Christians and violates the Constitution.”
The city caved in part because the FFRF has money and they are very aggressive. The city agreed to remove the cross and Franciscan University from all their logos.
Mark Nelson, who designed the logo, said, ”We already prepared a new logo without the cross, but I don’t know why the Wisconsin organization objected to the silhouette of the Christ the King chapel. The Los Angeles county board of supervisors retained the Mission San Gabriel in its seal. The chapel is part of the Franciscan University of Steubenville campus.”
Mr. Nelson also said, ”…what bothers me is this organization has used its interpretation of separation of church and state, that is not included in the Constitution, to bully the city into changing its logo. My family and I are proud to be here in Steubenville and to be part of the community. We are also proud to have a business in Steubenville.” [Christian Post].
The Atheist victory was short-lived and the removal has been halted because of community objections and offers of free legal support.
via Toledo Blade
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Officials in an eastern Ohio town have halted a plan to remove religious symbols from the city logo.
The Steubenville City Council had decided to change the logo after a citizen complained it included the cross and silhouette of the Christ the King Chapel on the Franciscan University of Steubenville campus. The Freedom from Religion Foundation in Madison, Wis., threatened to sue if it didn’t happen.
Now a groundswell of support and offers of free legal help to fight the complaint have city officials reconsidering. The issue is on hold, and the Steubenville Herald-Star reported that city officials received a petition with 300 signatures Tuesday.
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