The Texas Taliban says no to the FFRF.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation received word on Oct. 24 that Henderson County, Texas, is refusing to permit it to post an “equal time” display on courthouse grounds by the large Christian nativity display dominating an entire corner. The devotional display is lit at night.
…After Henderson County commissioners made public statements indicating there was a public forum, the county refused permission to FFRF or its local complainant to put up a winter solstice banner describing the freethought point of view.
The banner notes:
“At this Season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”
Why doesn’t Chris Stedman go after the FFRF?
A complaint by FFRF last month over bible-banner-toting cheerleaders at public high school games in Kountze, Texas, has kicked off another heated controversy. Attorney General Greg Abbott, who offered comfort and support to Henderson County last year, attacking FFRF by name, held a press conference with Gov. Rick Perry on Oct. 17, again singling out FFRF by name, and, said Gaylor, creating a climate of hostility toward Texas nonbelievers.
They’ll be doing angry videos about them next.
Yes, the Constitution is a sacred document, except when it disagrees with them.
Raven is right, hypocrisy is a sacrament with the fundamentalists.
I suppose it’s different, living here where hardly anyone is devoutly Christian anymore, but I’m a lifelong atheist and I love nativity scenes! …I’ve got my coat…
@xmaseveeve #2: The issue has nothing to do with liking or disliking nativity scenes; the government is not permitted to give them special treatment either way.
Historical Irony 1.0
The Texas Republic’s constitution was even more explicitly secular than the US Constitution.
Mexico had required Texas settlers to profess Catholicism, and while many British and American Catholics jumped at the chance to settle in Texas, most American Texans chafed at the intrusion.
Everyone is all sweet and ecumenical, until they have a chance at wielding the same power over others that they resented when held over themselves.
Did the nativity display say “Atheism is but a false philosophy that hardens hearts and enslaves minds” or anything similar?
No? Then the FFRF was asking for rather more than just parity.
Hey aziraphale,
You know what a nativity scene on government property does say to a nonbeliever?
“You’re not one of us, and the government is not with you or your concerns. Our tribe has the power to do as we wish, regardless of legality, so imagine what we’ll do to you. You will not get equal protection here, not from us.”
aziraphale, your argument would have more merit if we were all on a level playing field, but we’re not.