Cross

[The Whiteville Cross]

The town of Whiteville has settled a lawsuit brought late last year by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. In the agreement, the town promised:(1) not to replace an arm of the cross that formerly sat atop the town's water tower, and (2) not to use stand-alone crosses in displays on city hall property. In addition, Mayor Bellar took the extraordinary step of agreeing to refrain from using stand-alone crosses in front of his own private business. The Constitution did not require Mayor Bellar to give up his religious rights as a private citizen and business owner, as the Foundation demanded, but he was willing to make this sacrifice because he believed it was in the town's interest to end this litigation and move on.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is an organization that has the mission of roaming the country looking for religious symbols it finds offensive. It has a long, documented track record of suing small towns for alleged violations of the separation of church and state. In this case, the Foundation alleged that a local resident or visitor was "offended" by the town's religious expression, but the Foundation never identified this person and never provided any evidence that the person was actually subjected to any serious hostility as a result of his or her association with the Foundation's lawsuit. The town does not and would not endorse any retaliation against anyone for expressing his or her views about religion, and the Foundation never proved otherwise.

This settlement also provides for payment of $20,000 in attorney fees to the Foundation's attorney, who works for a law firm in Nashville that has sued the town of Whiteville before. The town will pay $5,000 of this amount to meet its deductible under its applicable insurance policy. This is a very small amount of money in light of the facts that this lawsuit has been pending for nearly a year, the parties have engaged in two mediations in federal court, and a substantial amount of attorney time was expended before the lawsuit was even filed.

For these reasons, the town believes that, overall, the terms of the settlement demonstrate that the Foundation cannot expect small towns in America to bow down to its unreasonable demands and to fork over large amounts of money every time the Foundation threatens or files a lawsuit. The Foundation filed this lawsuit claiming (1) the one-armed structure atop the water tower was unconstitutional; (2) Mayor Bellar's private religious displays were unconstitutional; and (3) the crosses on city hall property were unconstitutional. The settlement recognizes:(1) the one-armed structure can remain and (2) not all crosses on city hall property are unconstitutional if they are part of larger religious displays. Moreover, Mayor Bellar's agreement as to his private property was simply a sacrifice he made for the good of the town, and not a judicial finding that his religious expression was somehow illegal. Finally, the town believes the small amount of attorney fees awarded in this case are substantially less than what the Foundation and its attorneys expected when the litigation began.

The town recognizes that the Constitution does impose some restraints on the town when it comes to officially endorsing particular religious beliefs, but the town continues to believe the Constitution does not, as the Foundation believes, require small towns across America to completely eliminate any and all official acknowledgment of the important role religion plays in the lives of many citizens. The settlement confirms that the line between what is and is not allowed is not as clear and one-sided as the Foundation originally contended, and the town is therefore fully satisfied with the settlement.

[Patriot]

With all the adversity going on in Whiteville now, it is good to read good news. The economy is tough and will get tougher, but we held together over our cross and will get through these hard times also. Congratulations Mayor Bellar. I still see a cross.

[sandman 1]

I just finished reading the new's release that the foundation has posted on thier website. According to the foundation's website they had to spend $10.000. of there money on this. What I found funny is there is a button at the bottom where they ask you to contribute.Must be low on money.We call it passing the plate.

In looking at past cases they have had I find no mention of them ever having to pay money..

How does the saying go? The Lord work's in mysterious way's.

Let's all send Whiteville money. While they did not slay the dragon , it is severly wounded.

Congrat's

[Auntie Theist]

People seem to have forgotten that the FFRF waited 12 months before the mayor would agree to remove (partially) the cross from the water tower. Not content with stalling and running up the bill, he knowingly placed two unconstitutional crosses where one almost tripped over them entering city hall. Just what did he expect? Does he think that the Constitution does not apply to him? I can accept that he was ignorant of the law at first,(although is that what we expect from a mayor) but he soon found out, and continued his violations. If the city politicians believe that they were right, I encourage them to replace the cross and remove the gibbet which now hangs as a monument to their stupidity.

[Auntie Theist]

The Cross affair is not finished.
For those who are not satisfied, they have the opportunity to confront the instigator of the lawsuit:
Dan Barker (co President, Freedom From Religion Foundation) will speak at the Memphis Public Library, Poplar Ave. on Sunday 26th August at 1.15pm on the topic of "Tilting at Watertowers: the battle to keep religion and government separate."
He will grant interviews and take questions.
I wonder how many Whiteville residents will attend?
I wonder if the mayor will take this opportunity?

[MrDesoto1]

Auntie Theist wrote:

The Cross affair is not finished.
For those who are not satisfied, they have the opportunity to confront the instigator of the lawsuit:
Dan Barker (co President, Freedom From Religion Foundation) will speak at the Memphis Public Library, Poplar Ave. on Sunday 26th August at 1.15pm on the topic of "Tilting at Watertowers: the battle to keep religion and government separate."
He will grant interviews and take questions.
I wonder how many Whiteville residents will attend?
I wonder if the mayor will take this opportunity?

I give them until December, and then they'll be breaking the law again. Repeat offenders rarely stop.

[anti- atheist]

Auntie Theist wrote:

The Cross affair is not finished.
For those who are not satisfied, they have the opportunity to confront the instigator of the lawsuit:
Dan Barker (co President, Freedom From Religion Foundation) will speak at the Memphis Public Library, Poplar Ave. on Sunday 26th August at 1.15pm on the topic of "Tilting at Watertowers: the battle to keep religion and government separate."
He will grant interviews and take questions.
I wonder how many Whiteville residents will attend?
I wonder if the mayor will take this opportunity?

The answer will be known on that day and you are wrong. Mr Barker did not instigate the suit. The instigator was you auntie.

maybe you should attend and tilt your crazy demeaning self.

I have a better idea: Why don't you,mr desoto and mr barker drive out and look at that object and when you pass through somerville you can marvel at there very erect, and not tilting , water tower and the secular piece of air craft metal perched atop it.

[anti- atheist]

Auntie Theist wrote:

People seem to have forgotten that the FFRF waited 12 months before the mayor would agree to remove (partially) the cross from the water tower. Not content with stalling and running up the bill, he knowingly placed two unconstitutional crosses where one almost tripped over them entering city hall. Just what did he expect? Does he think that the Constitution does not apply to him? I can accept that he was ignorant of the law at first,(although is that what we expect from a mayor) but he soon found out, and continued his violations. If the city politicians believe that they were right, I encourage them to replace the cross and remove the gibbet which now hangs as a monument to their stupidity.

Gibbet indeed. What one see's is not always' the same thing other's see. Get my drift?

You are beginning to sound like someone I know.

[Auntie Theist]

anti- atheist wrote:

<quoted text>
Gibbet indeed. What one see's is not always' the same thing other's see. Get my drift?
You are beginning to sound like someone I know.

So you finally figured it out after all these months. We Pastafarians have been laughing our socks off since the city hung one of our most sacred symbols on the water tower - the gibbet. We have been worshiping it secretly, but now we can come out of the closet. If you have been to one of our FSM meetings you will have met me. Maybe you would join us? To learn more read our holy book "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster"
http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Flying-Spaghetti...

[me myself and i]

Auntie Theist wrote:

<quoted text>So you finally figured it out after all these months. We Pastafarians have been laughing our socks off since the city hung one of our most sacred symbols on the water tower - the gibbet. We have been worshiping it secretly, but now we can come out of the closet. If you have been to one of our FSM meetings you will have met me. Maybe you would join us? To learn more read our holy book "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster"
http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Flying-Spaghetti...

do We look like a pastafarian no we r Americans

[anti-atheist]

MrDesoto1 wrote:

<quoted text>
I give them until December, and then they'll be breaking the law again. Repeat offenders rarely stop.

How can it be illegal if it is not stand alone. That simply mean's put a santa claus out there and it is legal.

I am gonna donate a big santa to the town next week

[medon -moe]

Auntie Theist wrote:

The Cross affair is not finished.
For those who are not satisfied, they have the opportunity to confront the instigator of the lawsuit:
Dan Barker (co President, Freedom From Religion Foundation) will speak at the Memphis Public Library, Poplar Ave. on Sunday 26th August at 1.15pm on the topic of "Tilting at Watertowers: the battle to keep religion and government separate."
He will grant interviews and take questions.
I wonder how many Whiteville residents will attend?
I wonder if the mayor will take this opportunity?

you are right it is not finished but praise god for one thing. The United States Senate will never confirm A federal judge to the bench who is a non-believer. Use your imagination.

[medon -moe]

Auntie Theist wrote:

People seem to have forgotten that the FFRF waited 12 months before the mayor would agree to remove (partially) the cross from the water tower. Not content with stalling and running up the bill, he knowingly placed two unconstitutional crosses where one almost tripped over them entering city hall. Just what did he expect? Does he think that the Constitution does not apply to him? I can accept that he was ignorant of the law at first,(although is that what we expect from a mayor) but he soon found out, and continued his violations. If the city politicians believe that they were right, I encourage them to replace the cross and remove the gibbet which now hangs as a monument to their stupidity.

People seem to forget that by ignoring the FFRF for a year the cross stayed up there for a year.

Brilliant move

[Auntie Theist]

medon -moe wrote:

<quoted text>
you are right it is not finished but praise god for one thing. The United States Senate will never confirm A federal judge to the bench who is a non-believer. Use your imagination.

Facts 2.1 billion Christians on the planet. 1.6 billion Muslims on the planet. 1.5 billion non believers on the planet.
Times are changing!

[Auntie Theist]

medon -moe wrote:

<quoted text>
People seem to forget that by ignoring the FFRF for a year the cross stayed up there for a year.
Brilliant move

Yes, totally brilliant - instead of observing the law at no cost (climb the ladder) the wait cost the city over $24,000 in expenses which will include increased premiums because of the legal violations.
I wonder if you will put your points to Dan Barker?

[grizzly bill]

Auntie Theist wrote:

<quoted text>
Facts 2.1 billion Christians on the planet. 1.6 billion Muslims on the planet. 1.5 billion non believers on the planet.
Times are changing!

DUMBASS you are still outnumbered.Does your figure include all thos in the jungles of Africa and South America and the outback regios of Australia. If so I dont think I would count them on your side becuase they are not like you. They are unsaved. Your kind are simply mean as hell and conceited.

[Auntie Theist]

When Christianity was in total control under leaders such as Torquemada the only atheists were dead ones. As stated, times are changing. Why do you feel that I'm mean, conceited and a dumbass?

[anti-atheist]

Auntie Theist wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, totally brilliant - instead of observing the law at no cost (climb the ladder) the wait cost the city over $24,000 in expenses which will include increased premiums because of the legal violations.
I wonder if you will put your points to Dan Barker?

Get your figure's straight and quit lying.

You must be part of the Obama campaign.

According to the settlement the town paid $5.000.

Insurance paid $15.000.

FFRF paid $10.000.

If you don't believe me go read it on their website. Please pay good attention to the little button where they ask you to donate.

That is a small price to pay to see them leave with their tail tucked between thier leg's.

Talk on the street is as soon as they realized there plaintiff was a real nut case they were ready to leave.

And that is the truth. Jane and John Doe are as nutty as they come.

Want proof? Go to open salon.com and pull up blogger using the search feature. Patsy K.

Read till you get sick. No place on earth is as bad as she wishes people to believe.

The Devil, and if like you do not believe in the devil, we use the word evil.

[anti-atheist]

Auntie Theist wrote:

When Christianity was in total control under leaders such as Torquemada the only atheists were dead ones. As stated, times are changing. Why do you feel that I'm mean, conceited and a dumbass?

I apologize for my smart mouth Really

[Auntie Theist]

anti-atheist wrote:

<quoted text>
I apologize for my smart mouth Really

Thank you..........accepted.