While Fox & Friends fully supports 1st Amendment free speech for Christians, they're not on board with that whole "wall of separation" thing. And that's why, in any discussion about Christianity in the public school, the Christian pals ignore the fact that school supported expressions of Christianity (or any religion) are unconstitutional. Rather, they talk about "tradition" and how either one Jesus hating parent or, worse, the Jesus hating atheists make life miserable for good Christians who, as residents of a Christian nation, are entitled to have their Jesus in the schools! Yesterday, Steve Doocy continued the tradition of ignoring the law during his discussion with an Ohio couple who erected their very own Jesus sign so that nearby high school students could still see Jesus after the evil ACLU forced his removal from the school's wall. But Jesus prevailed and Steve Doocy is very, very happy....
Doocy opened the patented "Fight for Faith" segment with the back story on how "it's been a year since the ACLU forced an Ohio high school to remove a sign [his voice rose with incredulity] of Jesus, the Good Shepherd; but one couple didn't let this stop if from being seen." A photo of the Jesus sign (a schlocky rendering of Jesus with the words "The Lord is My Shepherd" above) was shown as the chyron presented the happy news: "Jesus Sign Shines Bright, OH Couple Posts "Good Shepherd" Image on Lawn." Doocy reported that this sign "proudly stands" on the lawn of the aforementioned couple and "nobody can do anything with it." (Note, according to a local news source, a student requested that the school's Good Shepherd painting be taken down from the school office.)
Doocy set up the talking points with his patented summary of why this occurred. He recounted how Cathy Hodgson, when she was a student at the high school, saw the nice Good Shepherd painting, a donation to the school, but then the nasty ACLU "said you're gonna have to get rid of that particular painting because otherwise we're gonna take you to court and the school board said 'you know what, we don't want to fight this and we're gonna go ahead and take it down'."
As the chyron reinforced the propaganda with FOX FACT: "Faith Under Fire, ACLU Forces School to Remove Jesus Sign," Ms. Hodgson recounted her involvement in the issue. Doocy mentioned that the couple first considered a six foot statue of Jesus but that would have been too expensive. The chyron established, as FOX FACT, that this is "A Lesson in Faith, Jesus Sign Honoring Teacher Hung in School." (Notice - "faith" - not a constitutional violation). Doocy added that the sign, which is lit up at night, was much cheaper and, as Doocy emphasized, "nobody can make you take it down."
Doocy provided yet another Fox & Friends proselytizing pulpit, when he encouraged Terry Hodgson to talk about why the sign is important. Hodgson spoke about how their community is "a good Christian one" and "a good message for anybody driving up and down 83 and all the children going to school." Doocy had a great, big grin as Cathy said that drivers who see the sign are waving, honking, and stopping to take pictures. To Doocy's prompting she said that she fears that some might object but she "has a stronger feeling for the good that it will do."
Doocy tossed more talking points about how she and her husband want it there to "inspire the students because it's as if Jesus is watching down on the kids." (Inspiration as in bong hits for Jesus, maybe?) Cathy preached that she wants "the ones who do know Jesus to appreciate it and the ones who don't to inquire or at least ask an adult what the "Good Shepherd" means." (Right, non-Christian kids will want to get to know Jesus as a result of a tacky, highway sign!) Doocy summed it up "the Good Shepherd is in your yard, by the high school and nobody can do anything about it."
You just can't make this stuff up.....Oh, right, this is Fox & Friends!
Yes Steve, and the reason is that it’s legal to put a Jesus sign on private property, but not on public property (a school). It’s a simple distinction – you don’t have to get all wound up over it.
Would this meet the approval of the suits at Fox or more importantly, advertisers? Probably not, but then we all know what is really worshipped.