Freedom From Religion Foundation – Page 8

Atheists in Florida to Hang Banner Replacing Jesus with Bill of Rights

According to the Associated Press, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is hanging a banner in the Florida State Capitol depicting Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Statue of Liberty gathered around a manger containing the Bill of Rights. The banner will read, “Let us also honor the birth of our Bill of Rights, which reminds us there can be no freedom OF religion without having freedom FROM religion in government.”

The banner is part of an effort by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to “counter” nativity scenes on public property. The group has placed signs at state capitols in Illinois and Wisconsin stating there are no gods, no Heaven, and no Hell.

Of course, atheists in Arkansas have set up what many have dubbed a shrine to paganism next to the Nativity scene on the Capitol lawn the past few years.

Atheist groups claim these displays are part of the “public forums” state capitols are establishing, and a public forum means all forms of speech are welcome. Legally, however, there are different kinds of public forums — unlimited public forums and limited public forums.

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Atheists Angry IRS Granted Them Tax-Exemption

Sep 10, 2013JerryCurrent EventsFreedom From Religion Foundation

The atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation–who has gained notoriety in recent months for repeatedly threatening lawsuits against public officials and local governments who celebrate Christmas or open meetings with prayer–is again at odds with the government–this time over its tax status.

According to BreakPoint, the IRS has given the Freedom From Religion Foundation the same tax-exempt status it gives to churches. FFRF argues they do not want the exemption, because an atheist group is not a religious organization. As the Washington Times notes, the federal government has filed a response stating that Buddhists and Taoists are not theistic either, but they are still religious groups.

Atheists Groups Target Prayer at Public Meetings

Aug 20, 2013JerryReligious FreedomFreedom From Religion Foundation, Religious Freedom, Religious Liberty

Continental_Congress_prayer The Freedom From Religion Foundation out of Wisconsin has teamed up with a California-based atheist organization to target public prayer at city council meetings in California, according to news sources.

Last June, FFRF sent a letter to the Chico City Council in Chico, California, instructing the council to “discontinue official, government prayers” at meetings.

Opening government meetings with an invocation is a longstanding practice in America that has been upheld as constitutional. Alliance Defending Freedom sent a letter to the city council, asking them not to be bullied by these two atheist groups.

In the letter, ADF noted,

“There is simply no question that a public deliberative body may open its meetings with an invocation, even one that includes a prayer. Public prayer has been an essential part of our heritage since before this nation’s founding, and our Constitution has always protected the activity. Contrary to some recent claims, such prayer can also include distinctly Christian references without running afoul of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.”

Last year Freedom From Religion Foundation sent similar letters to public officials and government bodies who were celebrating Christmas with Nativity scenes and lighting ceremonies around the country.