An atheist group from Chicago has set up a bizarre anti-Christian nativity scene in a bid to “keep state & church separate.” The scene depicts Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington gazing adoringly at a baby “Bill of Rights,” which is laid in a straw-bedded manger.
Search for American Missionary’s Body Postponed After Mounting Pressure From Human Rights Groups
The startling installation was erected on the front lawn of the Grundy County Courthouse in Chicago and will remain there until the end of December. Through shock tactics like this one, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) stated that it hopes to keep the “flag of free thought flying high around the country.”
Traditionally, as is the case across the country during holiday season, a Christian nativity scene was set up outside the Chicago courthouse. That was until, in 2015, a complaint from FFRF sparked immediate change.
“In Illinois the county’s sheriff has custody of the courthouse. In 2013 we received a letter from the Freedom From Religion group in Wisconsin stating we had a manger alone on the lawn,” Assistant State’s Attorney Perry Rudman said back in 2015, according to the Morris Herald.
“They questioned the laws and cited various court cases supporting the removal,” he added.
The nativity scene is flanked by a sign that reads, “Happy Winter Solstice. At this Season of the Winter Solstice, we honor reason and the Bill of Rights (adopted Dec. 15, 1791).” The text concludes with a simple declaration that basically sums up FFRF’s entire mission: “Keep State & Church Separate.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put up an exhibit honoring the Bill of Rights at an Illinois courthouse. The…
Posted by Freedom From Religion Foundation on Tuesday, November 27, 2018
“The display exemplifies the take-charge spirit of members of the freethought organization, who often assemble such installations in their hometowns to counter religious tableaus on public land,” the FFRF said in a news release on the nativity scene.
According to its website, The Freedom From Religion Foundation works “as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.”
But not everyone is on board with their militant atheistic agenda. Yesterday, the Twitter-active group called out Arkansas Sen. Jason Rapert for his work to gather Christian lawmakers together for common good. FFRF was likely not expecting a reply from the man himself, but boy did they get one!
“Be advised,” Rapert addressed FFRF, “we are restoring the order of things in our nation – historically, morally, spiritually and politically.”
Be advised @FFRF @AmericanAtheist – we are restoring the order of things in our nation – historically, morally, spiritually and politically. Your extreme agenda has convinced millions of Americans that we must take a stand to honor the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation. https://t.co/dZLIAh9qIL
— Sen. Jason Rapert (@jasonrapert) November 27, 2018
“Your extreme agenda has convinced millions of Americans that we must take a stand to honor the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation,” he concluded.