Atheists force portrait of Jesus out of Kansas public school

Local residents in Chanute, Kansas expressed anger after the atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation successfully filed a petition for the removal of a portrait of Jesus Christ, which had been hanging for over 60 years in a Kansas public school.
 

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The Blaze reports the atheist group, Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) filed a complaint to school officials, asking them to investigate Royster Middle School, saying that the Jesus Christ portrait was inappropriate and should not be left hanging on the walls of the public school.

The group filed a formal petition on August 20, concerning the display of artist Warner Sallman's Head of Christ, calling it an "egregious violation of the First Amendment," and demanding its removal as soon as possible.

In his letter to Chanute Public Schools Superintendent Richard Proffitt, FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel said, "The Supreme Court has stressed the importance of protecting public school students from these types of messages. It is illegal for Royster Middle School or any other Chanute public school to post religious images in its hallways, or anywhere else that appears to be school-sponsored."

The district immediately responded to the petition by removing the six-decades-old portrait, sparking outrage from local residents.

Long-time resident Jack Lynch stated, "I'm sick of this. This country was founded on Christian beliefs. In God we trust. Now people want to come in and change all that. If they don't like it let them leave."

Despite complaints from locals, FFRF expressed its contentment with the result of their petition.

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