(thanks to David Flanders for the tip)
Warren, Michigan is not a city with complete separation of church and state as is evident at city hall. As reported by WJBK Fox 2 News, the building is home to a day of prayer, a Ramadan display, a Nativity scene, and a prayer station, all backed by Warren Mayor Jim Fouts. “I will continue to support all groups regardless of race or religion but I will not support a group which denigrates those groups,” said Fouts. Fouts was referring to the Freedom From Religion group member and atheist Douglas Marshall. Marshall filed a request to set up a “reason station” inside the Warren city hall atrium when he learned a prayer station existed. Marshall told WJBK, “I object to my tax dollar being used for a church to proselytize…the public space is not a location which religion should be practiced.”
I never cease to marvel at the many and varied ways that people freak out when it comes to atheism. It’s as if stating that you don’t believe in God means you’re something akin to a circus freak…one destined to burn in Hell for all Eternity. Some folks just can’t wrap their pointy l’il haid ‘round the idea that there are actually people in this world who don’t believe in God. It’s the “OMIGAWD…where will you go when you die?” response. As much as I hate engaging in a theological battle of wits with an unarmed opponent, I quite often feel obliged to explain myself, which invariably leads to more consternation and incomprehension.
I don’t believe in God, though I rarely refer to myself as an atheist. I’m actually a Buddhist, which isn’t a contradiction because we don’t believe there’s a Supreme Being. Buddhists believes the answers we seek lie within each of us, and that worshiping a Supreme Being only adds to the confusion and suffering. Sometimes I’m tempted to tell people that, but I don’t want anyone’s head to explode, so I keep my own counsel. As far as most of them are concerned, I’m destined for Hell…and I’m OK with that.
I admire faith if employed in the sense that it’s something that helps you be a better, more compassionate person. I don’t believe in God, but I understand that some folks derive meaning and significance from a strong belief in Him/Her. As long as that faith isn’t used as measuring stick/club to judge and bludgeon those not “enlightened” enough to share your beliefs, I think religion’s a good thing. Unfortunately, there are far too many who believes theirs is the One, True, and Only Faith, and that they should be able to flaunt their religiosity wherever they may choose. Like public spaces, f’rinstance….
a·the·ism [ey-thee-iz-uh m]
noun1. the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.Origin:
1580-90; < Greek áthe ( os ) godless + -ism
Warren, MI, is the sort of place that normally wouldn’t attract attention…until the mayor decides that religion in the public space is a good idea. Involving government at any level in the National Day of Prayer is a recipe for a legal headache, but Warren Mayor Jim Fouts plowed ahead nonetheless. To his credit, he invited representatives of several faith traditions to set up shop in the City Hall’s atrium. Fouts made it clear that he supported access for all religions…except for atheism.
And then the fun began….
When Fouts said “I will continue to support all groups regardless of race or religion but I will not support a group which denigrates those groups,” he’s using his own value judgment (and ignorance) to judge atheism as not worthy of representation in a public space. Never mind that tax dollars were being spent to provide space to other religions…an unconstitutional, though well-intentioned act.
Atheism isn’t a “religion,” but it is a philosophy every bit as valid as any religion. Freedom of religion doesn’t mean “I support all faiths…but you have to pick one.” Freedom of religion also means freedom FROM religion. NOT worshiping a deity is a valid choice. It shouldn’t be the place of government to determine which religion or philosophy of life is worthy of being allowed in the public space.
Despite Fouts’ contention, atheism doesn’t “denigrate” other faith traditions. It’s purpose isn’t to ridicule and/or poke fun at those who follow a particular religion. Atheism is merely another option on the smorgasbord of spirituality. Unfortunately for Fouts, by refusing to provide space to atheists, he’s opened himself to charges that he’s using tax dollars to promote religion. The Exclusion Clause of the 1st Amendment specifically proscribes government from promoting the interests of a religion. The Founding Fathers wanted to remove the temptation for a leader to create the same sort of theological tyranny the original colonists fled England to escape.
Sadly, those charged with upholding the Constitution are very often unfamiliar with the contents of that document. While they may consider groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation to be pests, the folks from FFRF are right in this case. When you exclude a particular group because you object to their beliefs, you’ve violated the Exclusion Clause.
America isn’t a Christian nation. It’s a secular nation in which an 80% majority self-identify as Christian. That difference isn’t nearly as subtle as some might think…but it doesn’t make it any less real.
