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Religion & Law

: Religion Clause

Minister Arrested For Picketing HIgh School Over "Demon" Mascot

By Howard M. Friedman

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In Warner Robins, Georgia, police Monday arrested Pastor Donald Crosby for leading a group of picketers outside Warner Robins High School without a permit. He was also charged with disorderly conduct for his response when he was asked to leave. Crosby was protesting the high school's mascot, the Demon. According to 13WMAZ News, Crosby argues he was standing up for Jesus, saying "Demons aren't lazy, Christians are." Crosby says he has legal custody of a 15 year old who is in that school district, and he doesn't want him exposed to the evil connotations of the mascot's name. Crosby, who is pastor of Kingdom Builders Church of Jesus Christ in Macon started a petition last month to have the Demon removed as school mascot. Police say they tried to work with Crosby so he could get a picketing permit, but he refused.

School officials say the mascot was adopted in World War II in order to honor the 7th fighter squadron at Robins Air Force Base that earned the name, the "Screamin Demons." But Crosby is not convinced. (13WMAZ News). Meanwhile a pro-mascot petition (full text) has also begun circulating online. (13WMAZ News report). The petition reads in part:

They took DIXIE (the marching band theme song) from us don't let them have our mascot too...Once a DEMON ALWAYS A DEMON!!!! It's tradition, school pride, unity! It's not abomination against God. A mascot is supposed to be intimidating toward the opponent. What's more intimidating than a demon...? Looking at the mascot is not evil, it was not meant to be evil. It was adopted in honor of group of soldiers in the Air Force during WW2. This is an Air Force town that we live in. Chanting "Go Demons" does not invoke demonic creatures from the underworld to come so we can worship them. It is simple a way to let our young sportsmen and women know that we are supporting them in their endeavors.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 11, 2010 (boomark / email).