This year has been wonderful for Beltway Atheists Inc. We’ve put up many banners celebrating reason and science, and promoting the Separation of Church and State. This holiday season has started off with a firestorm of reactions from the public, the media, law enforcement, and many in the atheist community.
Jeff Heflin Jr.'s display on the courthouse lawn, "Santa Cross"
Let’s get a few things straight, for the record, about this year’s first displays. The first two displays were put up by a mother and son team. While Jenelle is a member of NOVA Atheists meetup group, a social group sponsored by Beltway Atheists Inc., her son put this display up as an individual. Neither were in any way acting as representatives of Beltway Atheists Inc., and their artwork should not be seen as anything other than THEIR PROPERTY, not the property of Beltway Atheists Inc., or a message displayed on behalf of Beltway Atheists Inc.
Some finer points to address.
- The “Santa Cross” display erected by Jeff Heflin Jr. was not in any way intended as an “atheistic” message. It was intended to highlight how commercialism has hijacked a holiday about family. Beltway Atheists Inc. strongly supports his 1st Amendment right to free speech, and stands with Mr. Heflin.
- The vandal who deconstructed Mr. Heflin’s display should be brought to justice. Beltway Atheists Inc. recognizes that the 14th Amendment, which explains the concept of “equal protection” under law, has been violated. Mr. Heflin’s right to free speech has been abridged by a fellow citizen despite law enforcement presence. This is an outrage. Other displays were given protection from vandals while this display was not.
- The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department should apologize to Channel 9 News for infringing upon the freedom of the press. They were on public property and were asked to leave in the midst of a story they were covering. This is a clear violation of their constitutionally protected rights.
SOURCES:
http://www.leesburgtoday.com/news/article_999c28e8-1f70-11e1-970c-001871e3ce6c.html
http://www.leesburg2day.com/news/article_ad0cc2e2-1fb2-11e1-b055-0019bb2963f4.html
http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/178244/158/Skeleton-Santa-Nailed-To-Cross-Sparks-Christmas-Outrage
http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1311150127001
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/weird/Skeleton-Santa-Controversy-at-Loudoun-County-Courthouse-135070748.html
@REDDIT.com:
http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/n2ql9/skeleton_santa_sparks_christmas_anger_u_mad_bro/
