'Christ' Heist Story Unbelievable

My good friend, Andrew Rudd, pointed out this story to me, which has more angles and twists and turns than any one story should have. It's even more interesting to me because it involves a painting of Jesus, a school board battle, the ACLU, and a thief!

Here's an article from the Charleston Daily Mail about all this.

The principal at Bridgeport High School in West Va., had a copy of Warner Sallman's "Head of Christ" hanging outside his office for several decades. But the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued the Harrison County school board June 28 to have the portrait removed.

The Christian Freedom Fund and the Alliance Defense Fund came to aid the school board in defending itself and the painting's right to hang.

But early Aug. 17, a thief broke into the school and made off with the painting. Security cameras caught him on tape, but he had his face covered.

Now, players in the case are left wondering what to do. Will the thief be caught? Will the school put another painting back up where "Head of Christ" once was displayed? Will the suit go on?

I just produced a documentary on Steve Sawyer, who produces Jesus paintings in a series and business known as ART for GOD. So obviously, this story resonated with me.

Aside from that, few stories crystallize hot-button issues like this in such an "entertaining" way.