Riverside County Defends Christianity; Fails to Bow to Political Correctness

On August 19, 2004, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors (CA) affirmed the continuned display of a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt stating, "The true Christian is the true citizen." They decided to do so after the filing of a lawsuit by The Pro-Family Law Center and its president.

Riverside, CA (PRWEB) October 22, 2004 -- Refusing to follow the "politically correct" lead of many other Southern California municipalities, including Los Angeles, Lake Elsinore and Redlands, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously affirmed the continued display of a quote by President Franklin D. Roosevelt referencing Christians. For nearly seventy-five years, Department 8 of the historic Riverside County Courthouse has had the following quote engraved in gold on one of its mahogany walls: "The true Christian is the true citizen." This is one of four diverse quotes similarly engraved on each of the four walls in the courtroom.

The Board of Supervisors was faced with having to decide this issue after the Anti-Defamation League threatened legal action in July of this year. After several months of closed-door negotiations, the presiding judge of the Riverside County Superior Court sided with the ADL and indicated that the historical engraving would be covered with a loose piece of wood so that the public could not see the quote. After discovering the court's intentions several weeks ago, Richard D. Ackerman, President of The Pro-Family Law Center, preemptively sued the county, the presiding judge, and the ADL (Riverside Case No. RIC 419212). The suit claimed that the quote could not be covered because the court building was a protected historic building under local, state and federal law. In fact, hundreds of historic government buildings across the nation have religious references engraved in their halls. Additionally, PFLC claimed that it was unlawful discrimination for the County of Riverside to single out only a 'Christian' quote for censorship.

At yesterday's regularly scheduled board meeting (Agenda Item 3.3), the supervisors verbally indicated that they were willing to risk a future lawsuit from the ADL or anyone else, and felt compelled to affirm the historical and cultural significance of the challenged quote. When questioned by Supervisor Wilson, Riverside County Counsel stated that a vote to affirm essentially meant that "we agree with the plaintiff [in this matter." According to PFLC lead counsel, "Today's decision was an awesome demonstration of respect for the public and for our nation's history -- a history that was built on the blood, sweat and tears of many Christians. Accurate reflections of historical context cannot be promoted by censorship. These supervisors should be praised for their unabashed commitment to our nation's leaders, our shared culture, and the rich history of America. I might add that, given the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to review various ten Commandments display cases, it seems that a cultural correction to the left-tipping scales of justice may be occurring."

The Alliance Defense Fund's Arizona and California attorneys also assisted Ackerman in this matter. Ackerman says, "The Alliance Defense Fund makes it much easier for smaller firms, like mine, to take on large issues like this one. With organizations like ADF, I am confident that we can defend the values that almost all Americans hold dear."

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