Re “Does Jesus portrait belong in school?,” Feb. 25: The ACLU has no legal basis to challenge the Jackson (Ohio) school board with regard to the portrait of Jesus in the school building. The First Amendment to the Constitution states that Congress shall make no law establishing a religion. This was written with respect to the pilgrims’ experiences with their oppression from the Church of England.
For many years, the opponents of religion in the public square used the phony slogan of the “separation of church and state” as their “constitutional” banner, even though this phrase is not in the Constitution. When the Supreme Court disagreed with this interpretation (in an Ohio tuition voucher case), the opponents used the new tactic stating that the Constitution prohibited religious “preferences.” This is all legal nonsense.
The real decision, in these cases of religion in the public square, lies with the local school boards and the communities they represent, not some legal decision makers. … PHILLIP HERMES, NEW CARLISLE
Displaying portrait is not unconstitutional
I believe the (Jackson, Ohio) school board has taken the correct position. There is nothing unconstitutional about promoting religion in a public school. Our Founding Fathers, when framing the Declaration of Independence, took the position that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain rights. Our nation was born from and based upon a religious position.
Our Constitution only requires that Congress shall make no law to (1) establish a religion or (2) to prevent the free exercise of religion. … The Constitution does not require that there be no religious expressions in public places — taxpayer-funded or otherwise. I fully support the school board in this case. GEORGE H. KRAMER, XENIA
Speak Up
A Jesus portrait does not have a place in school. Children come to school from diverse backgrounds and not all are Christians. There are so many cultures and religions, and some who may not believe in a religion at all. Therefore, prayer or a picture of Jesus may be a violation of their rights in freedom of or from religion; and the rights of every child need to be respected. Religious beliefs can be exercised at home or in a place of worship of the family's choice.
I think Jesus' portrait should be in all schools, plus we need to put prayer back in schools. There wasn't much crime years ago when we had it. We even learned Bible verses when I was in school and children loved it. School children should be taught who Jesus is, not fear getting shot in school.
Regarding the Feb. 27 comment about the picture of Jesus hanging on the wall at a public school, which stated: "There is no independent historical evidence of Jesus' existence — no mention of Him in Roman legal or administrative records. … The Gospels were written from word of mouth several generations after his supposed death." I beg to differ. He had a ghost writer — the Holy Ghost.
I just read with interest the Speak Up comments about the portrait of Jesus in school. I am Jewish and have gone to many schools with portraits of Jesus in them. I always thought they were beautifully painted and never gave it much more thought. These people who seem to have a problem with it need to get over it. They are making an issue out of a non-issue. It is a work of art and if it gives some people comfort, what's the harm?
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