atheist_in_foxhole

From my local paper:

This church is fundy central and home to some of the wackiest xians in the area. How can it be legal to hold a trial in the church basement?

RufusAtticus

To make it legal they'd probably have to remove any religious iconography from the "courtroom" and the passage that must be taken to get to it.

atheist_in_foxhole

What about all the "Jebus is Lord!" signs in the parking lot area?

theyeti

They'd probably have to remove the stocks, rack, and iron maiden as well.

theyeti

...

I honestly can't see what the whole issue is. So what if there are a few crosses present. The Constitution clearly states that the State must not get involved with religion. IMO, this doesn't mean that all religious icons must be removed.

Want an example? In the Armed Forces of the United States, our second highest award for bravery is the Distinguished Service Cross. Many non-Christians have recieved it. It is clearly a cross, with a clear Christological emphasis. Does this mean that Jews, Muslims, and athiests who rate that decoration are working to have a medal struck just for them?

The bottom line? Icons and other symbols are just that - symbols. I don't mind a cross in a courtroom, as long as that courtroom is neutral to religion.

Some may disagree with me. If you do, I look forward to reading what you write, trolls excepted of course.

Daggah

A church-turned-courtroom is about the farthest thing you can get from a courtroom neutral to religion.

Psycho Economist

I think this is a case of right to a speedy trial in the jurisdiction of the crime's commission winning out over an ACLU-calibre interpretation of the first ammendment. The article seems to imply it's the next most suitable venue outside the county's one courtroom courthouse. If the trial goes badly for one side or another, they might appeal using those grounds (the jurors voted to acquit because there were flyers about forgiveness everywhere)... but unless you're somehow injured by the action the most you can do is write letters to the editor of your local paper.

ex-idaho

Auburn is not a particularly remote town. There is an abundunce of suitable neighboring communities capable of hosting this trial. There is well established precedent for relocating trials for various reasons including access to suitable facilities.

I would wager money that there is more to the selection of this church as a court than meets the eye.

Krieger

The government should be completely neutral regarding religion - therefore, no "Cross" medals.

Btw, who are "athiests"?

Bookman

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, you know.

I can't find any evidence that the cross shape was selected for this group of medals because of its association with Christianity. Can anyone back up the assertion that the cross used (a greek cross, BTW) is "clearly Christological[sic]"?

Bookman