Christian group denied right to display cross
Jeff Johnson - OneNewsNow - 7/9/2008 7:30:00 AM
After last year's Independence Day parade in Chesapeake, Virginia, several groups were allowed to set up booths in the city's Lakeside Park. Christian Rights Ministries (CRM) set up its booth, which included a 12-foot-tall white cross. But city officials ordered the group to remove the cross, calling it "offensive," "way out there," and "blatantly Christian." When city officials refused to respond to calls and letters from the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) on behalf of CRM's founder Steve Taylor, the group sued.
"Christians have the fundamental right, just like any other citizen, to share their message," argues Nate Kellum, a senior counsel with ADF. "Therefore, Mr. Taylor and the rest of the members of Christian Rights Ministries have the right to display a cross in the public park."
Kellum says a federal judge ruled against the group's request for a temporary injunction so that it could display the cross last weekend. "There's no question that their right to speak their message has been severely compromised," he continues.
The ADF attorney says they are now looking forward to July 4, 2009, and are hopeful that CRM will regain its right to share the Christian message. Kellum says the district court could eventually rule in the ministry's favor, or CRM could appeal the case.
Kellum says singling out Christians or Christian groups for discrimination is unconstitutional and must not be allowed.
