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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMichigan mayor bans atheist City Hall display to not upset Christian ‘Prayer Station’
A Michigan mayor who says that he believes in freedom of religion has refused to allow atheists to set up a so-called Reason Station inside City Hall, saying it could upset Christians visiting the nearby Prayer Station.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Warren resident Douglas Marshall proposed the Reason Station to promote separation of church and state, and to tell people about using free thought, reason and logic.
But Warren Mayor Jim Fouts rejected the display for a period of one year because of Marshalls affiliation with a group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation. In a letter to Marshall, Fouts explained that the Freedom From Religion Foundation was not protected under the First Amendments Establishment clause because atheism was not a religion.
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I do view this a violation of my free speech rights, Marshall noted. It seems to me that the mayor allows free speech in the atrium as long as he agrees with the speech If he doesnt, he denies speech he doesnt agree with in the atrium.
WJBK reported that the city of Warren has approved the Prayer Station, a Ramadan Display, a Nativity scene and a Day of Prayer but nothing for atheists.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/17/michigan-mayor-bans-atheist-city-hall-display-to-not-upset-christian-prayer-station/
According to the Detroit Free Press, Warren resident Douglas Marshall proposed the Reason Station to promote separation of church and state, and to tell people about using free thought, reason and logic.
But Warren Mayor Jim Fouts rejected the display for a period of one year because of Marshalls affiliation with a group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation. In a letter to Marshall, Fouts explained that the Freedom From Religion Foundation was not protected under the First Amendments Establishment clause because atheism was not a religion.
...
I do view this a violation of my free speech rights, Marshall noted. It seems to me that the mayor allows free speech in the atrium as long as he agrees with the speech If he doesnt, he denies speech he doesnt agree with in the atrium.
WJBK reported that the city of Warren has approved the Prayer Station, a Ramadan Display, a Nativity scene and a Day of Prayer but nothing for atheists.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/17/michigan-mayor-bans-atheist-city-hall-display-to-not-upset-christian-prayer-station/
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Michigan mayor bans atheist City Hall display to not upset Christian ‘Prayer Station’ (Original Post)
phantom power
Apr 2014
OP
RKP5637
(67,084 posts)1. Hmmm ... How about a 'Church of Satan' station then. Some see that as a religion. Using his
logic that should be just perfect!
Initech
(100,029 posts)2. Hail Satan!
RKP5637
(67,084 posts)6. Wow, a sketch, but unfortunately so close to reality! n/t
chrisstopher
(152 posts)3. He says Atheism isn't a religion
But he is willing to allow any form of mythology, so how about a shrine to Hades, the mythological god of the underworld. It might just work since he was also the god of
wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth.
Vashta Nerada
(3,922 posts)4. Why do religionists need prayer stations in a goddamn city hall?
Don't they have church for that?
Atman
(31,464 posts)5. ^^ THIS!
Exactly.
GeorgeGist
(25,311 posts)7. Because they lack faith in their faith ...
they need government approval.
WillyT
(72,631 posts)8. K & R !!!