In Deltona, Florida, city officials have refused to include three paintings by a local artist in an employee-organized Black History Month display in city hall because the paintings include religious elements. WorldNet Daily reports that one of the banned paintings depicts a New Orleans funeral procession. Another, entitled "3 a.m.," shows a partial Bible and part of the word "Jesus" on a church sign. "The Christmas Basket" shows a clergyman delivering food to a black family. With him are two people, one of whom wears a cap bearing the message "I (heart) Jesus." (The latter two paintings are pictured in the WND article.) Deltona's city manager says the paintings might be seen as government endorsement of religion.
UPDATE: Representing the artist, Liberty Counsel, a conservative legal advocacy group, demanded the city include Marcus' paintings in the display by Feb. 15 or face a federal lawsuit. (Report by AP.)
