Sarasota to return "Jesus" donation

SARASOTA -- City officials plan to return a $1,000 donation from a local church that wanted a bench and plaque "in memory of Jesus Christ" installed at Sarasota's bayfront park.

"It seems kind of funny this time of year, when everyone stops to honor our savior, that a plaque honoring his name would be rejected," said Hope International Ministries Pastor Ron Kutinsky. A church member came up with the idea for the plaque, he said.

"But we'll take the $1,000 and put it into another effort to bless the community of Sarasota."

In a legal opinion sent to city staff Thursday, City Attorney Bob Fournier concluded the plaque would be unconstitutional under the First Amendment, which separates church and state.

The plaque would have read: "Sit here for healing, hope and salvation, in memory of Jesus Christ."

Fournier said it failed a three-part test set by the U.S. Supreme Court for the separation of church and state.

"A citizen who reads a plaque in the park that says by sitting on a bench you can achieve salvation from Jesus can come to the conclusion that the city is promoting Christianity," Fournier said.

Fournier said his decision does not impact the display of religious symbols such as a Christmas tree or menorah as a "traditional public forum" set up by residents in a public park. Such religious expression is allowed by lawhttp://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20071222&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=712220325&SectionCat=&Template=printart

Anyone that thinks they can receive salvation by setting on a bench is a idiot.

 

Yea you are correct I did not notice that. I got caught up in salvation from sitting on a bench and did not think of that.