TRI In The News
Free-Expression Group Sides With Harrison County on Sponsorship of Christian Music Festival
From The Republic
Original article available here
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A free-expression advocacy group is defending Harrison County's sponsorship of a Christian music festival.
The Charlottesville, Va.-based Rutherford Institute said Thursday that the county's funding policy is based on neutral, even-handed criteria. The group said denial of funding for next summer's annual Jesus Fest would amount to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.
The organization urged the Harrison County Commission to stand its ground in a dispute with the American Civil Liberties Union, which has asked the commission to stop its financial support and endorsement of Jesus Fest. The ACLU says government sponsorship of a religious activity violates the U.S. and state constitutions.
