Bible verse on fire truck causes flap
Associated Press
April 8, 2004
MARION, Ind. -- Some have questioned whether a religious verse painted on the city's new fire truck is proper.
Fire Chief Steve Gorrell said department members considering slogans to go on the new truck settled on part of the 23rd Psalm: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."
"The firefighters wanted to put something on there to show the public how they represent themselves," Gorrell told the Chronicle-Tribune for a story today.
The department chose the biblical passage over secular sayings such as, "While others are rushing out, we're rushing in," he said.
City Councilwoman Ann Secttor said the passage did not belong on a public vehicle.
"I don't think any part of religion should be mixed with politics," said Secttor, who is Jewish.
Fran Quigley, executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, said that posting a biblical verse on a public vehicle such as a fire truck could violate the constitutional separation of church and state. Quigley cited a ruling by the federal appeals court in Chicago that a city seal could not have a cross on it because the image would associate government with a particular religion.
Wayne Seybold, mayor of the city about 50 miles southwest of Fort Wayne, said Wednesday that he had not seen the verse on the truck. He said he would discuss the issue with the fire department and have the image removed if it caused a problem.
"We've got a diversified community here in Marion, and we need to make sure that we're mindful of that," he said.
The ladder truck also bears images of U.S. flags and a patriotic fire helmet remembering the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and officials plan to add a drawing of the high school mascot.
The fire truck, which cost $428,000, was paid for with city money and a federal grant, Gorrell said.