Church and State (An Occasional Series).

I snapped this photo at the Long Beach Grand Prix this past weekend. In this single shot, you have an individual exercising his First Amendment rights with a sign reading, "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED. ACTS 16:31", and police officers talking to him about it.

Church and State.

This week I had the privilege of appearing for the first day of oral arguments in the Fourth District, Division Three's new appellate courthouse in Santa Ana, California. A professional photographer was there to commemorate the event, snapping photos even during the proceedings. As a result, my back might make it into the history books.

Before the arguments, one of the justices came out in shirtsleeves and told counsel about the benches in the courtroom. Interestingly, the benches involved a church and state issue.

The justice explained that the benches were previously pews in a chapel on the campus of St. Louis University. In this capacity, they had icons (a cross-like figure containing Greek letters signifying Christ) on the sides. Because this was a public building, wooden pieces had to be affixed over the icons to hide the religious message underneath.

Even the court was evidently afraid of being sued.