Alabama Town Fights for Right to Keep Bible Verse on Welcome Sign

Religion Today | Updated: May 14, 2012

Alabama Town Fights for Right to Keep Bible Verse on Welcome Sign

May 14, 2012

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has demanded the small Alabama town of Sylvania, population 1,800, remove Bible verses posted on four welcome signs, but the town has vowed to fight back, Fox News reports. "Sylvania Welcomes You," the signs read. "Ephesians 4:5 -- One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism." In a letter to a local TV station, FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott wrote: "The Sylvania 'welcome' signs are not welcoming. They affiliate the government with one religion, Christianity, and exclude others. No court would uphold this blatant violation of the Constitution." Mayor Mitchell Dendy originally had the signs removed two weeks ago, but has since resigned due to an unrelated matter, and the acting mayor and city council have decided to put the signs back. "We'll see what happens," acting mayor Max Turner said. "If we don't stand up for something, it won't be long before we'll have to go to the woods to have church. ... I'm not afraid to take a stand. We as Christians have got to stand up regardless of what the world might say about us." Turner, 80, said to the best of his knowledge there were no atheists living in Sylvania and that dozens of citizens were supporting the decision.



Alabama Town Fights for Right to Keep Bible Verse on Welcome Sign