Excerpt from World Net Daily article, "City bars paintings with Bible verses":
"It is absolutely absurd to say that a piece of art cannot be displayed in a public forum because the artwork contains a Scripture verse," said ADF Legal Counsel Brett Harvey. "So much for art as the free expression of ideas."
Harvey pointed out many of the greatest works in the history of art have had religious themes.
"The city does not have the legal right to censor the creative content of a painting simply because it has a religious viewpoint or because city officials think someone could be offended by it," he said.
Marolf's painting "Big Black Umbrella" depicts her granddaughter holding an umbrella. At the bottom of the painting is a quotation from Psalm 127:3: "Children are a heritage from the Lord: A reward from Him."
Please tell me. Who in the world could possibly be offended by that verse?? Incidences like this just goes to show that it really isn't the individual messages from Bible verses that are being targeted. It is the entire message of the Bible that those who disagree (or, more likely are unbelievers) want to squelch any and all references to God, Jesus, and God's Word. It is inane cases like this one that truly shows their bigotry, intolerance, hatred, and hypocrisy when it comes to free speech rights for Christians.
ADF said the complaint [pdf file] was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado after city officials refused to allow Marolf to redisplay her paintings despite having received a letter from ADF attorneys explaining the violation to her constitutional rights.
So. Even when these city "officials" are legally shown that they were wrong to do what they did, it doesn't matter! Yeah. Spend more of the taxpayers money to fight a losing case you Colorado city idiots!
Psalm 127:3: "Children are a heritage from the Lord: A reward from Him."
ReplyDeletePlease tell me. Who in the world could possibly be offended by that verse??
People who don't believe in God would be offended. Imaging a verse put in a public place said that children are a heritage from Ra, or Odin, or Zeus. Imagine your feelings about using a space for which you paid with your taxes for such a display.
Separation of church and state is something incredibly worth defending. I grew up in Argentina, where traditionally, there had been freedom of religion, but the separation between the state and the catholic church has been blurry at best (this is changing lately, thanks Zeus.) Judges have crosses with representations of Jesus in them on the wall in their offices. The Church had a say in which movies were banned and which weren't. The President had to be Catholic.
Is that the kind of country you would like to live in?
Juan said, "People who don't believe in God would be offended."
ReplyDeleteHow can someone be offended by a Bible verse if they don't believe in the Person the verse came from in the first place?? Your response doesn't make any sense.
No. I wouldn't be offended if someone created a painting and had a verse from the Quran or the Book of Mormon on it. I don't believe in their 'gods' anyway so why would it even bother me?
About paying taxes. I pay taxes for new public schools to be built and millions of dollars are going to Gay Straight Alliance programs that I don't agree with. So what's a taxpayer to do?
It is offensive. In my view, it shows that my taxes are used to promote a form of superstition based on the legends of some random tribe of people in the Middle East. The government under which I aspire to live is a lot more enlightened than that.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how I mentioned Ra, Odin and Zeus, and you mentioned the Quran and the book of Mormon. Does that mean that you would think is more preposterous if it were Zeus than if it were Allah mentioned in a public display? Why would that be?
What's a taxpayer to do? Run for office? Leave your country? (I did, for one where the situation in that sense is better--see my previous comment.)
Juan said, "It is offensive. In my view, it shows that my taxes are used to promote a form of superstition based on the legends of some random tribe of people in the Middle East. The government under which I aspire to live is a lot more enlightened than that."
ReplyDeleteWhat you call a "superstition" is the Gospel truth to a huge majority of people.
As far as "enlightenment" is concerned, perhaps it would be best to answer with God's Word in the Scriptures.
Psalm 14:1 (NKJV)- Folly of the Godless, and God's Final Triumph
(see also Ps. 53:1-6)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
The fool has said in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
The Bible has a lot to say about those who would be referred to as "fools."
Pro 10:23 [It is] as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Pro 12:15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.
Pro 13:16 Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
Pro 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Pro 17:16 Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?
Pro 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Pro 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
Enlightenment?
Pro 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
Pro 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
But there is hope for you yet!
Pro 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Pro 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
2 Timothy 2:19-26 (NKJV)
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of *Christ depart from iniquity."
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.