Roy Exum
When the Freedom From Religion Foundation struck the tiny town of Jay, Fla., earlier this month, the town mayor had a life-sized Nativity scene that had been displayed every Christmas for the past 40 years taken down and sold as “city surplus.” But in Alabama, things are different. When the foundation tried the same thing in Rainbow City, Ala., more people than all those who live in Jay, Fla., showed up this weekend to stand united and sing “This Little Light Of Mine … I’m Gonna’ Let It Shine!”
The New Jersey-based foundation convinced Florida officials that, "Once the town enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for one religion over others, it strikes a blow at religious liberty, forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular expression of worship," further saying there were "ample private and church grounds where religious displays may be freely placed."
Freedom From Religion workers sent a similar letter to Rainbow City, which is right next to Gadsden, that informed them a lighted nativity scene in front of the courthouse was not proper. "Displaying an inherently Christian message on government property unmistakably sends the message that Rainbow City endorses the religious beliefs embodied in the display," the letter stated.
Rainbow City Mayor Terry John Calhoun took the scene down early this week but the next day it was put right back up. City attorney Jim Turnbach told the Gadsden newspaper, “While the Freedom From Religion Foundation states correctly law applicable to religious displays, they are incorrectly applying those cases to the situation in Rainbow City,” he said. “Rainbow City does not believe that the Christmas display on city property is in violation of any case law.”
Well, that is just how the fight got started. By Friday night the town had become so incensed that over 500 people braved a light rain to protest for 30 minutes as cars honked horns and shouts of ‘Amen!” filled the crisp air. The lively throng sang “Silent Night” and the Mayor, who would make no comment beforehand as the social media exploded, told the crowd. “I’m thankful to be a Christian. I am honored to be your Mayor. And as long as I am mayor, I’m not removing that manger scene!”
According to a story that appeared on AL.com, State Senator Phil Williams and State Rep. Mack Butler, both Rainbow City residents, were at Friday’s protest and Senator Williams told people, “We will not sit idly by. I stand with you!” while Rep. Butler pledged to raise money if the Nativity scene is challenged in court as yells of “Amen!” were heard repeatedly.
Rev. Abel Garcia of White Springs Baptist Church told reporters, "For me, this goes beyond the Nativity … It's part of God's work in our community to bring various denominations in our community together. We all agree that Jesus is ‘the reason for the season.’ Even those who oppose this Nativity scene, we're not upset with them. They're part of God's plan as well, and part of me hopes they will show up."
Janice Ward and her daughter Whitney brought handmade signs, one reading “Keep Christ In Christmas” and another saying, “Jesus Loves You – So Love Him Back.” Many in the crowd had flashlights and cell phones that were brightened when “This Little Light Of Mine” was sung after Rev. Abel urged everyone to “let their light shine” following the Christmas season.
There’s more …
Just hours after the Rainbow City protest Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore was the guest at the Saturday morning gathering of the Madison County Republican Men’s Club in Huntsville and he, too, walloped the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Apparently the foundation threatened to sue the city of Huntsville in federal court if the practice of praying continued at City Council meetings, but people in the “Rocket City” seem to like it.
So somebody went to Rev. Frank Broyles, the community liaison for the Interfaith Mission Service for guidance, and he created a roster of religious leaders to rotate. That seemed like a good idea until Kelly McCauley, an avowed atheist, opened the Sept. 25 meeting and Blake Kirk, a Wiccan priest, was brought in on Nov. 6. After the Wiccan spoke, NPR dedicated almost seven minutes as the national media rained down on Huntsville.
“When the messenger becomes more important than the message, the whole thing gets diluted,” council member Bill Kling told reporters. “The opening prayer should not be a controversial thing,” he said.
But – believe this -- Chief Justice Moore made it his No. 1 topic yesterday. "We're having prayers (by) atheists? We're having Wiccans say prayers? How foolish can we be?" Moore asked those in the crowded room. The judge deplored "change what doesn't need to be changed" and included “acceptance of gay marriage, gender change, change in the military and change in the celebration of Christmas,” according to AL.com reporter Lee Roop.
"I'll say this in Huntsville because I think it needs to be said in Huntsville," Moore said pointedly. "There is one God and it's the God on which this nation was founded. And it's the God of the Scriptures … I don't need applause for that. It's a truth in history and it's a truth in law. And we're trying to change that."
It’s going to be a while before anything changes in Alabama. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sure took a licking there this weekend.
royexum@aol.com