Alabama Town Removes Christian Flag after Atheist Complaint

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jul 10, 2015

Alabama Town Removes Christian Flag after Atheist Complaint

A town in Alabama has removed a Christian flag that was flying outside its police station after an atheist group sent a letter of complaint. Christian Today reports the town of Glencoe decided to bend to the atheist demands and remove the flag, explaining that they could not afford a potential lawsuit. 

In a similar situation, a court ruled that a North Carolina city should pay $550,000 in damages. 

Glencoe mayor Charles Gilchrist said, "That would just about ruin us. That's what they do. They pick on these smaller towns that can't defend ourselves.” 

According to the letter sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), “The Christian flag was designed by Protestants in the early 20th century and continues to be displayed in Protestant churches throughout the country.” 

“It is unconstitutional for a government entity to fly a flag with a patently religious symbol and meaning on its grounds. You must take immediate action and refrain from hoisting this flag up the flagpole."

The FFRF applauded the town’s decision to remove the flag. 

FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said, "Reason will prevail. In this case, it was so patently obvious why a civil, secular government can't endorse Christianity in this particular way.” 

Publication date: July 10, 2015



Alabama Town Removes Christian Flag after Atheist Complaint