Sometimes God moves in mysterious ways.In June, we wrote about the Harrison County, West Virginia school board's refusal to remove the painting "Head of Christ" which had been hanging in a high school hallway for the past 37 years.
Last night, an intruder stole the painting, leaving behind the gilded frame and backing, Schools Superintendent Carl Friebel said.
"The picture was the only thing stolen, so the deliberate intent was to steal the picture and only the picture," Friebel said.
The school was sued in June by Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the West Virginia American Civil Liberties Union, who said the painting sends the message that the school endorses Christianity as its official religion.
Just a few days ago, the school board decided to fight the lawsuit after a group called the Christian Freedom Fund raised more than $150,000 to pay the board's legal costs. The board has previously twice voted to keep the painting hanging.
A trial is set to being in February. The American Family Association has offered to assist in the school board's defense.
Richard Katskee, attorney for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, of the says it is money that could have been better spent. He has written the school board several letters pleading with it to take down the portrait in order to avoid a trial.
"The law is absolutely clear here, but sometimes people need to fight a battle and lose themselves to find out," he said. "That's the mistake this board is making."
Police have no leads in the case.
I would hope that the painting was removed by an "insider," someone within the school board or school system who is simply trying to save the board's $150,000 (plus!) for something better than legal fees to fight a battle they are going to lose.
Jesus Christ | Christian | Christianity | Head of Christ | Harrison County School Board | Born Jesus
4 comments:
The picture is a cheap reprint of a painting done in 1924. It is not a picture/portrait/painting of Jesus.
I know... that's what makes this story all the more funny.
No one knows what Jesus looked like. No one really knows if he even existed...
...Yet to "protect the faith" or make a point, or whatever, this government-financed school board is willing to spend big bucks in court.
How can an 82-year old copy of a painting of someone whose face is unknowable be so important?
Background: The painting "Head of Christ" was done by Warner Salmon, a Christian artist of the early 20th century, originally as a last-minute magazine cover. This image of Jesus was inspired by a director of the Moody Bible Institute, who suggested that Salmon "...make Him a real man. Make Him rugged, not effeminate. Make Him strong and masculine, not weak, so people will see in his face He slept under the stars, drove the money changers out of the temple, and faced Calvary in triumph."
In 1924, apparently this image of Jesus looked masculine, not effeminate, as it does to most people today.
--Sonny Mann
Son of man, Mmmmmm interesting, reverse psychology, I like it, though I'm not religious. Mr Anonymous I'd show my white flag, because the question Son of Man asked, "why would anybody want to take a print (Not an original even) of something nobody knows exsists" seals the debate. Unfortunately YOU got crucified (I apologise if that's offfensive in the USA) I'm an agnostic, so K-Sa-Ra-SA-RA for me I'm affraid, & yes I'm open but if There's no greater power , how the heck could I stop that power from being a factor ? OOps FACT? Well for want of a better word, could I stop the power,?? I believe if paintings are cut out they are taken to order.. Nevertheless its atrocious, dispicable & they ought to be ashamed, & again I'm not religious.
Have a good day (*_*)/")
Donna UK
Pssttt: Anonymous it could be you with a name like that?! & I don't believe its justified because its a cheap print as I myself have been searching for 3 years for a cheap print of MY MUM so there, & nerner.. Its priceless so there again.
I have just listened to a wonderful testimony of a true man of God who having seen Jesus on several occasions ( and beieve me he is no nutter) says this painting is the closest he has seen to how Jesus looks. ( see Jesuscalls.org or Jesuscalls on youtube) I just googled the name of this painting and came accross your site. Thanks Paul Soffe
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