Thursday, September 15, 2011

Update: Christian Cross Now Allowed on Man’s Lawn After NJ Town Amends Ordinance

We read:
"New Jersey officials who mandated that a man remove a Christian cross from his private property have taken decisive action to avoid a contentious — not to mention expensive — First Amendment legal battle.

The initial drama, which we first reported on The Blaze back in July, unfolded after neighbors who didn’t like the cross complained. As a result, officials upheld a littering ordinance that prohibits citizens from posting anything on structures, including trees. The regulation is breached if posted items are “calculated to attract the attention of the public.”

The cross, posted by Patrick Racaniello, initially violated these standards. When the town asked him to remove it, he complied. Then, when he created another version of it and placed it on his lawn, he was again found to be in violation of yet another township regulation.

At this point, Racaniello decided to take his case to the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, a group of Christian lawyers who typically involve themselves in such matters.

Knowing full-well that a major battle would unfold if the issue made its way into the courts, township officials buckled. In an effort to quell the debate that was quickly boiling over, they amended the township code.

Source

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