Fox News never wastes an opportunity to showcase persecuted Christian football coaches, persecuted Christian students, persecuted Christian soldiers, and now - wait for it - a persecuted Christian Christmas tree. Seriously. This morning, Fox host Ainsley Earhardt said that the removal of a cross from a public Christmas tree is "gut wrenching" Christian persecution.

It's funny. Christian Fox talkers - and they are legion - love to invoke the First Amendment's protection of free speech when it comes to persecuted Christians. But that pesky "wall of separation" thingie that Thomas Jefferson called for is ignored when those who respect the Constitution fight against the encroachment of Christianity in the public square. Such is the case in Knightstown, Indiana which had placed a Christian cross on the top of the town Christmas tree. As a result of an ACLU lawsuit, the town removed the cross - a source of great sadness for Ainsley Earhardt who, as a Southerner, endorses "benign Christianity" in the public schools.

Earhardt began the patented Fox & Friends "Fight for Faith" segment with the sad story of the cross removal. In keeping with the Fox narrative of how just one nasty Jesus-hater spoils it for lots of Christians, she whined about how "just one complaint" generated the lasuit which claimed that the cross "violated the First Amendment." (Ya think!) She noted that, "Some people are fighting back." She introduced her guests, two local Christian women who are taking action to get the cross put back!

In displaying her woeful understanding of, well, everything, Earhardt asked if a petition, started by one of the women, will restore the cross. (Uh, No.) Cynthia Sturgill responded that while she didn't think it would be effective, it will still be given to the town council and state legislators. Patricia Hutson lamented the removal of the cross and informed us that the locals are very supportive of efforts to get the cross restored.

Earhardt responded, "That's nice to hear."

Once again, Earhardt showed us her keen acumen when it comes to the law (just kidding): "It always amazes me when one person complains. What about the millions of people that are Christians in this country, that are offended, he is offended, one person is offended in your town? But what about the millions that are offended when you see that cross being pulled down?"

The ladies continued their lamentations. But they asserted that the situation has brought the town together. Earhardt said, "I love that you're seeing the silver lining. That's what the cross does." 

Earhardt read an ACLU statement which correctly noted that the cross isn't a symbol of Christmas, but rather, "a preeminent symbol of Christianity" and, as such, unconstitutional."  An incredulous Earhardt couldn't understand why the cross isn't a symbol of Christmas "even though the word 'Christ' is in the word."

Hutson said they believe "it is their right to stand up for what we want and that Christ is the root of Christmas..."

An almost tearful Earhardt thanked the women for their activism and god-blessed them. She finished with this gem: "It is gut wrenching to see that cross come down but Christians are used to being persecuted and have been since Jesus was walking this earth."

After Sturgill added that the inane comment, "The cross is not just about Christianity," a glowing Earhardt said, "you're right." (Uh, no she's wrong...)

But I'm sure Ainsley, who would definitely complain about the imposition of Sharia law on nice American Christians, thinks (!) that Jesus wrote the Constitution, so it's all good....