Judge rules on fish and state

Christian Century, Sept 22, 1999

A federal judge has ruled that the use of a Christian fish symbol on the city seal of Republic, Missouri, is unconstitutional. Jean Webb, a former resident of the city, sued Republic in 1998, claiming that the symbol, which dates from early Christian times, created an uncomfortable environment for non-Christians and violated the separation of church and state. "While the purpose of placing the fish: symbol on the city seal may not have been to endorse Christianity, the effect of the seal is to do so," ruled U.S. District Judge Russell Clark on July 9. City officials decided not to appeal the decision and have started replacing the seal that is emblazoned on city signs, stationery and vehicles.

Webb, a practitioner of Wicca, a neopagan religious movement, moved to the southwestern Missouri. city in 1995 and wrote an opinion piece in the local newspaper in opposition to the seal. After she and her children were harassed, she filed suit and moved to Springfield, Missouri. The fish has appeared on Republic's seal since 1990. The designer, Republic resident Marilyn Schexsnayder, created it for a public competition and has said she thought it represented all religions. --RNS