LSU "Crosses" Out Tolerance

They are known as the "Painted Posse," not only in Louisiana, but across the country.

They always attend the LSU home football games, and they always paint their bare chests and head with LSU colors. They also always paint a small cross over their heart.

They love LSU and they love Jesus.

Louisiana State University says they are among their most loyal and passionate fans.

People who know them personally, say they are deeply committed, passionate Christians.

LSU has gotten a great deal of positive publicity from people everywhere because of the passion and wholesomeness of these kids.

However.

FOX News reports,

"A group of Louisiana State University football fans whose admiration for the Tigers is second only to their love for Jesus is outraged after the school digitally erased the tiny crosses they painted on their bare upper chests at a recent football game."

"LSU officials sent out a photo of The Painted Posse, Christian students who paint their bodies with LSU school colors and small crosses for home games, in an email about the LSU game against South Carolina on Oct. 13. The students were shocked to see the photo, which appeared to be otherwise untouched, in the newsletter that went out following the Tigers' 23-21 win over the then-No. 3 Gamecocks. The Tigers are now 7-1 for the season."

Posse member, Cameron Cook, said he was a bit surprised when he saw the picture in the University publication because he said, "Our pictures get used so frequently, and the cross had never been edited out before."

Herb Vincent, spokesman for the university, admitted that the university had in fact "air brushed" the crosses from the picture, altering the image "to prevent other students from being offended."

Was there significant opposition to the crosses?

Vincent said one student had contacted them. Be sure to read the FOX story linked above. It has more from the Christian kids.

LSU has "crossed" out tolerance.

Is tolerance a one way truth----true if directed at deviance, not true if directed toward Christian expression?

These kids, with their passion and enthusiasm, have brought significant positive publicity to LSU.

LSU seems to want the benefit, without the association. This is extreme.

Intolerant.

It reminds me of atheists who declare that any public mention of God offends them, until they are injured or sick and are checking into a hospital with a Christian name that was founded and sustained by Christians.

One of our readers emailed LSU. I have included an email to the school and their response.


This is the email to LSU:

LSU Administration,

I had a friend bring the clip below to my attention this Monday morning, [FOX news story linked above].

As a retired Navy Captain and Naval Academy graduate, who spent most of my life defending your rights to free press, speech, religion, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness I find your actions repugnant and not consistent with the ideas of an institution of higher education. Your actions and your colors, yellow, remind me more of the “yellow journalism and yellow press” I learned about as part of our Nation’s history. We learned from that era did we? Perhaps your thoughts, freedom of speech, would be more appropriate on the opinion page and thus we avoid the implication of a “yellow press” and allow others their freedom of religion.
Will you have the decency and the courage to publicly apologize for your disgusting actions or will this just become a blot on the otherwise decent name of LSU? I would like to read of the courageous stand personally.

This is the response from LSU:

From: Kristine M Calongne [mailto:kcalong@lsu.edu]
To: Subject: FW: Photo Shop

Hello, Capt. ....... I received the message that you sent to the LSU email account, and I wanted to pass along to you a statement that the university is sending out on this topic. I’ve included it below, and it explains what happened and why. Also, I will pass along your message to the university administration. Thanks for writing to let us know your thoughts, and thank you for your service to the country.

Best,

Kristine Calongne

Message from the University:

LSU sent out a promotional message on October 15 to its sports fans asking for feedback on their experience at the LSU-South Carolina game on October 13. In messages to sports fans we attempt to convey no religious or political messaging. We did not intend to offend anyone by the editing of this photograph and in the future we will use another photo rather than make a similar edit. We erred in our judgment and we have communicated our apologies to the group of young men represented in the photo whose school spirit is second to none.

I am told there are more than a few people in Louisiana and across the country who are more than a little offended.

Not by the Christian kids, but by their alma mater.

Have a great weekend.

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.