LSU deletes crosses from fan photo
The Painted Posse wears crosses on their chests -- but not in this photo. (LSU Athletic Dept.)
According to Fox News, LSU officials sent out a photo of the group of fans, the so-called Painted Posse, in a campus e-mail about the Tigers’ victory over South Carolina Oct. 13.
The Painted Posse is a group of Christian students who paint their bodies with LSU school colors and small crosses. The e-mail shows the group at the game, but the crosses had been digitally removed.
“I was a bit surprised, because our pictures get used so frequently, and the cross had never been edited before,” Posse member Cameron Cooke told the website CampusReform.org. “The cross painting is important to me because it represents who I am as a Christ follower. And it reminds me who I need to act like in Death Valley,” he said.
“I knew from the second I was old enough to know that I was going to LSU,” another Posse member, Joel D’Aubin, told NBC33 in Baton Rouge. “And we all have a passion for LSU football and for Christ. Just being able to be that example every single Saturday is an awesome experience.”
School spokesman Herb Vincent told the site the school altered the image to prevent other students from being offended.
“We don’t want to imply we are making any religious or political statements, so we air-brushed it out,” the school said in a statement posted on its Facebook page. “Only one of the students, who didn’t appreciate it, actually contacted us about it. So next time, we’ll just choose a different photo.”
But the statement went on to acknowledge the deletion was a mistake.
“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.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
294 comments Add your comment
omg
October 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
SBinF
October 23rd, 2012
8:18 am
What do you know about Christains Mr. Subject Authority?
Baltiraul
October 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
Matt…..you say you are a borderline atheist! Explain how that is even possible.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
I wonder how they’d photoshop out a burqa.
Ted
October 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
Bill – The cross is an offensive symbol? It’s called freedom of religion. This was one of the founding principles of our country. Your stupidity is offensive.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
8:27 am
“I’m borderline atheist and can’t stand how religion is thrust into everything. ‘
North Korea is the place you need to be.
Chuck Allison
October 23rd, 2012
8:27 am
The cross is a reminder of the greatest act of love in all the history of mankind. We wear it to remind outselves of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, when He laid down His own life to build a bridge from us to the Father. He made all things new. He also told us in His Word that the day would come when the cross itself would be a source of offense to non-believers and blasphemers. And so it is. The invitation is still open for all to come to the cross.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
8:28 am
Another reason to make fun of LSU.
Itsjustmyopinion
October 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
@suicide fart, what’s plain and simple is that you don’t know why people were standing in line for over an hour for fast food. Check you facts so that your comments make sense. First of all your comments should be about the subject matter at hand not Chick-Fil-A. Second, what’s your problem calling someone an idiot? Do you know these people? I’m sure someone you do know was in one of those Chick-fil-A lines and never thought thats how you would have seen them for supporting a cause. Third, so what if folks wanted to spend an hour or so of their time waiting in line for (fast food) you weren’t going there anyway until the next week…..And lastly, you are intitled to comment on anything you want but, what I don’t understand is why Karen had to become an idiot because she made a comment and it wasnt disrespectful. An opinion is just that! An Opinon, you don’t need to pick a fight….IJS
Whirled Peas
October 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
I’ll bet those same people who removed the crosses teach tolerance and diversity.
Jesus is a pansy
October 23rd, 2012
8:34 am
Let’s face it – Christianity or a cross has no place in college football, much less college football at LSU.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
8:35 am
“Christianity or a cross has no place in college football, much less college football at LSU.”
Drugs, steroids, rape, fights do?
Just Rammin
October 23rd, 2012
8:36 am
@ 770to345 Can’t we just go to, play, or watch a football game without having someone’s personal, private beliefs shoved in our faces? It’s football, not church. Keep it to yourself.
So I guess in your feable little mind you think that Christians should only practice their religion while they are in church. You sir/mam are the true epitome of an idiot.
Bogart Geauxs 4 TIgers
October 23rd, 2012
8:36 am
Much like vampires of myth & legend, our world’s 0bama JiveTalker doesn’t like Christian Crosses, either.
Bogart Geauxs 4 TIgers
October 23rd, 2012
8:38 am
This is just an example why a classy coach and gentleman like Mark Richt would eventually just get fired from LSU, too.
tom
October 23rd, 2012
8:40 am
If a Jewish guy was wearing the little black cap on his head???
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
8:42 am
If LSU photoshopped burqas off of muslim women, they be hunted down and killed. But please, pick on the Christians.
SBinF
October 23rd, 2012
8:42 am
“What do you know about Christains Mr. Subject Authority?”
I know that the Christians who complain about things like this are usually the ones least likely to actually live as Christ taught. Jesus had quite a bit to say about folks who publicly professed their faith. They received their reward on earth. Those that truly follow him act like it, and their reward shall be not of this earth.
Care to continue?
Doug
October 23rd, 2012
8:44 am
They should have chosen a different photo from the start. But if they were going to use this photo, they did the right thing by remove the crosses.
TheSteve
October 23rd, 2012
8:49 am
It seems everyone is ‘offended’ by something nowadays. We’ve turned into a nation of pansies. The spirit of “live and let live” is at an all-time low.
It is one thing to be physically assaulted. It is quite another to claim to be ‘assaulted’ by actions that don’t directly impact you, by people you don’t even know. All that “offense” really says about you is that (a) you don’t accept what little control you have over the world around you and (b) you have too much time on your hands.
The net result of this new generation of whiners is going to be pretty simple: no meaningful change will come out of it, the perennially indignant will not influence anyone but people who already shared their views to begin with, and people who hate each other will hate each other more. But most of all, the perpetrators of the whining will continue to be revealed to be nothing more than a bunch of prima donnas not worthy of the air they breathe.
No one ever said the world was fair. No one ever said everyone was going to agree with you or stop being who they are because it doesn’t suit you. If you can’t handle these fundamental truths, do the rest of the world a favor and stop leaving the house.
Ringleader
October 23rd, 2012
8:51 am
666
Geaux Dawgs
October 23rd, 2012
8:51 am
Just tell all the Muslims that if they come to Death Valley they will have their picture taken also.
Are Muslins allowed to watch sports?
Never mind.
Derpmaster
October 23rd, 2012
8:52 am
This is only an issue because deep inside you Christians know Jesus was just another dude that looks like a member of the Foo Fighters.
“I am passionate about LSU and Christ”….hahhahahahahahhahahahahahahah, moron.
CHRISTIAN HUNTER
October 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
I AM A UGA FAN AND IT ERKS ME TO SEE THAT WE CANT SHARE OUR CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. TO MY BROTHER TIGER FANS, DONT LET THAT STOP YOU KEEP GOING AND SHARING THE WORD. I WILL AS WELL. GO DAWWWGGGGSSS.
Motocross Survivor
October 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
Well let’s see……..just who is offended by crosses??? Muslims? NO, even though we are taught to believe it. Atheists? Maybe, but they don’t have much political clout. Well now, just who is left??? Could it be that 2% of the US population that makes like vampires whenever they see a Christian Cross? Nah…
Mike
October 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do…..
L-LSU
October 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
Lily-Livered Sissy University
SBinF
October 23rd, 2012
9:03 am
“Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do…..”
lol. Because getting crucified is akin to having crosses removed from a photo.
You’re brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
JW
October 23rd, 2012
9:03 am
If you are LSU (or whoever there that signed off on this, etc.), how do you not know that this is going to be an issue? That stadium has 100,000 people in there each week, maybe just walk down fifteen feet and take a picture of the next group of painted students.
Gene
October 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
Check out some of the jewelry and behavior of ML baseball players. LSU is gutless. Either use the photo as is or don’t use it. I don’t see why they would use it anyway. People who paint themselves at football games are tacky.
5150 UOAD`
October 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
CHRIST and GOD is being eliminated from everything in America. Keep voting Democrat and think Government should be in the Education business and we will never see anything Christian in this country soon.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
“Jesus had quite a bit to say about folks who publicly professed their faith. ”
Show me one single verse where Jesus said to keep quiet about their faith and not to share it.
John
October 23rd, 2012
9:06 am
Leave it to religious nuts to freak out and worry about crosses being removed from a photo as their to top priority of their day. That shows everything wrong about religion. Focus on your own life first instead of dumb stuff like this. The world will be a better place.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:07 am
If those guys in the photo were any other race but white it would be deemed racist.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:07 am
“Leave it to religious nuts to freak out and worry about crosses being removed from a photo as their to top priority of their day.”
Leave it to the left wing retards like John to tell Christians what they should and should not do.
Jesus is a pansy
October 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
What is the big deal? This is such a non-issue. Go to Chick-Fil-A and eat a sandwich. And shut up.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
“This is only an issue because deep inside you Christians know Jesus was just another dude that looks like a member of the Foo Fighters.”
Not meant to be a factual statement.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
“What is the big deal? This is such a non-issue. Go to Chick-Fil-A and eat a sandwich. And shut up.
Please make us shut up, ma’am.
Bryant-Denny-Saban Stadium
October 23rd, 2012
9:10 am
Coach Saban > The Intolerant Anti-Christians of LSU
ROLE TIDE !
jaa
October 23rd, 2012
9:11 am
I really cannot believe LSU is so disrepectful and immature.
SBinF
October 23rd, 2012
9:11 am
“Show me one single verse where Jesus said to keep quiet about their faith and not to share it.”
From the book of Matthew, chapter 6:
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
There you go, DONNA. That’s several verses! Anything else you need help with? For a Christian, you don’t seem to know the Bible very well. Sadly typical.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:11 am
Bryant-Denny-Saban Stadium
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!
Cliff
October 23rd, 2012
9:12 am
Awwww, did the poor Christians get their feelings hurt?
Dawg Whisperer
October 23rd, 2012
9:12 am
Sounds like double-speak to me. ‘Sorry, our judgment was poor, we shouldn’t have air brushed the crosses out but next time we’ll make certain that we don’t take pictures of the offensive cross that Christ bore.’ I guess society has to close their eyes everytime they pass a Christian church. What a bunch of malarkey (Greek for poop).
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:13 am
“There you go, DONNA. That’s several verses! Anything else you need help with? For a Christian, you don’t seem to know the Bible very well. Sadly typical.”
Another lib taking verses out of context. Who was Jesus talking about in those verses? Pharisees. Pharisees were very hypocritical people. I find it funny that you think the LSU fans are acting like Pharisees. Then again, you’re not very smart to begin with.
Mike S.
October 23rd, 2012
9:15 am
More liberal hypocrisy at work. To each his own, unless your a Christian and express your beliefs in even the most subtle of fashion. When a Christian gets offended by liberals shoving their social agendas in everyone’s face, we have to “shut up and deal with it”. This is the Deceiver at work. He wants Christ’s name and any reminder of His sacrifice and what it does for us both out of sight and out of mind. He will use any means necessary to do it, including this type of liberal “intellectualism” and hypocrisy.
SBinF
October 23rd, 2012
9:15 am
“Another lib taking verses out of context. Who was Jesus talking about in those verses? Pharisees. Pharisees were very hypocritical people. I find it funny that you think the LSU fans are acting like Pharisees. Then again, you’re not very smart to begin with.”
The Pharisees were hypocrites because they professed faith but did not live it. You’re here shouting insults and calling people ‘retards.’ See the similarity? You asked for a Bible verse, I gave you one. Thus, you prove that you actually don’t read the Bible. You’d just have us believe you’re pious. You should go back to the book of Matthew. You might find that Jesus said some things which might surprise you.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:16 am
Mark 16:15-16
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 24:10-20
And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
John 4:34
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
John 5:31
If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.
SBinF
October 23rd, 2012
9:16 am
I’m not referring to the LSU fans, but people like you who feel the need to advertise their religion. It’s more important for us to all know that you’re a Christian, rather than you acting like one.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
“The Pharisees were hypocrites because they professed faith but did not live it. You’re here shouting insults and calling people ‘retards.’ See the similarity? You asked for a Bible verse, I gave you one. Thus, you prove that you actually don’t read the Bible. You’d just have us believe you’re pious. You should go back to the book of Matthew. You might find that Jesus said some things which might surprise you.”
Poor baby, did you get your whittle feewings hurt?
Motocross Survivor
October 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
John, you and your Christian hating buds might want to consider relocating to Israel. They openly spit on Christians there in some areas. You’d love it.