The Big Day

Well, the big day has come and gone, and in some ways it may even seem anti-climactic. There were no shouting matches, or spitting as some had predicted. All in all, it was a very peaceful day. There ended up being about ten of us that attended as a group. Before entering the fair, we were met by news crews from Channels 5 and 2. I have to say that their coverage was refreshingly fair and honest after some of what we saw earlier in the week. We were given our discounts without fanfare, and once inside the grounds, nobody bothered us, and we noticed no angry glares, or even anyone particularly avoiding us. We met some very nice people from a local church who were offering free water. We were all amused that their signs included the phrase, “atheists welcome”. That turned out to be the case as well when we spoke to them for several minutes. Several people approached us with honest curiosity, and asked questions about what it really meant to be an atheist.

Overall, I feel that the day was a big success, and I can only hope that future events go as well.  If anyone is interested, here is a link to some pictures we took at the fair.

Lead up to Wilson County’s God and Country Day

Wilson County’s God and Country day is Sunday, August 17, 2008. I first became aware of it about two weeks ago, and after a little discussion within the Secular Life group, we decided that our best approach would be to ask for fair treatment in regard to the discount offered to church-going patrons, and attend the event in order to offer our support of the troops without religious strings attached.

It’s been amazing how strong the reaction has been over this event. It has garnered interest from surrounding atheist, secular, and constitutional groups, as well as a bit of outrage from local Christians. What we all thought would be a small, quiet, display of support has turned into something much larger.

What has disappointed me, and I think highlighted a great problem in our culture, is the media coverage. All three local news networks covered the event, as well as the Tennessean. None of the television news coverage even made an attempt at even handed coverage.  Instead, they portrayed the issue as one of “out of state” atheist activists trying to create controversy over the matter of $2. Despite the fact that all three outlets contacted members of our groups, and were provided with details about our concerns and grievances, they categorically chose to go with a shallow, one sided story, filled with charged language intended to create animosity towards seculars.

The Tennessean was the only news outlet to provide an even handed summary. Not only did they speak to Thaddeus Schwartz, but they actually communicated his position. The contrast was clear in the reader comments to the story. Viewer comments from the television coverage was almost exclusively vitriolic, and centered mostly around people that believed out of state activists were telling them they can’t pray to their god. While there was some of that from the Tennessean readers, there were considerably more people engaging in debate over the actual issues. While I may not agree with what many have to say about it, I am at least happy that they were made aware of the true problem.

I suppose it serves to illustrate the state of television journalism today. I can’t help but feel sorrow, as our local news outlets become carbon copies of Fox News, spewing out fabricated controversy, and overtly opinionated coverage.

Bob Smietana of the Tennessean was responsible for our only fair coverage this week, I’d like to extend my appreciation to him.  I was in personal contact with the office of Dennis Ferrier of WSMV news, and can say that what he presented as news was a collection of deliberate slanting, and outright lies.  I would ecourage everyone to email both of these reporters, and let them know what you thought of their coverage.

In the lead up to the big day, I want to thank the many people who have spoken up in our support, and express my gratitude to everyone that plans to join us tomorrow. I’d also like to speak to those who might disagree with our viewpoint, or believe that our intention is to force them to change their way of life.

We have no interest in telling you what you can believe, or when and where you can pray. We do not belief in dogma, which means that we do not believe in compulsory thinking. What we really want is very simple; we want the respect and considerations afforded to members of the Christian majority in our society. We want people to realize that secular people make up a larger portion of their communities than they realize, and that we are not amoral villains bent on destroying your children.

I can’t help but believe that if people understood us better, there would be so much less controversy. We are all becoming victims of a sensationalist media storm, who’s only desire is to generate argument to sell advertizing dollars.

Person Dennis Ferrier

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Wilson County’s God and Country Day, August 17th

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted here. I’d apologize, but I am pretty sure all five of my readers will understand.

Recently, I decided that it might be fun to take my family to the local county fair. So I looked up Wilson County’s fair, and checked to see what interesting events they might have to offer. I was disappointed, but not altogether surprised to discover that Sunday, August 17^th was to be designated “God and Country Day”. Fair organizers describe the event as an opportunity to, “Help us show strong support for the men and women of Wilson County who are faithfully serving our country through their military service.” Apparently, we are only able to support our veterans if we are Christians. Christians are also offered $2 off admission if they present a church bulletin at the ticket booth. My first reaction was to think, “Well, I guess we’re not going on that day.” But after thinking about it a bit I got angry about it. Why should my family and I feel excluded from this community event? Wilson County, TN has a long history of violating people’s first amendment rights, and by the looks of an event like this, they don’t seem too worried about continuing that tradition.

I posted a link to the event on the local Nashville Atheists and Secular Life groups, and wrote a letter to the ACLU for advice. Blair Scott, of American Atheist, was kind enough to get involved and provide our fledgling groups with some support. Blair sent the following letter to Sheryl Lewis ((615) 449-3724 or e-mail at mclewis0120@yahoo.com), the event’s coordinator:

From the Office of Blair Scott

National Affiliate Outreach Director &

Alabama State Director, American Atheists, Inc.

PO Box 41, Ryland, AL 35767-2000

Office: (256) 701-6265       Cell: (256) 503-1123

bscott@atheists.org www.atheists.org/al/

Mrs. Lewis:

I contacted the Wilson County Fair Office two days ago and talked to Andy Brummett and Helen (last name unknown) about the $2 discount for church bullets and the “God and Country” theme on August 17^th at the Wilson County Fair.

I was advised by Helen that only those people that attend church are eligible for the discount because it is a promotion for “God and Country Day.” I asked her specifically if citizens that attended Synagogue, Mosque or Temple who do not usually receive bulletins for the service or atheists, agnostics and other non-religious citizens would get the same benefit. Her answer was clear: the discount is for those that attend church on Saturday and Sunday.

However, I received a note from Eric Stubbs, one of my constituents here in Alabama, that you had advised him that all citizens would be eligible for the discount if they brought a printed document of their organization’s Web Page. In addition, a reporter at the Wilson Post advised me that the County Promotions office told her the same thing.

Clearly we have a communications disconnect here between the two county offices that I would appreciate some clarification on. Based on the Wilson County Fair Office’s remarks, which were clearly discriminatory and violate the Civil Rights Act and Tennessee State Constitution, I issued a Press Release on this issue and advised non-Christian citizens to do exactly what you had advised Eric Stubbs to do: bring a printout of the group’s Web Page and ask for the same discount that church-going citizens received.

If the County is allowing anyone that is part of a non-profit organization to receive the discount, then clearly the practice is non-discriminatory and we do not have an issue. However, I would strongly recommend changing the Web Page to reflect this and urge the county to discontinue the use of the phrase “church bulletin” as the means to a discount off admission, as it gives the appearance of a discriminatory practice.

Please advise what the official position of Wilson County is on this matter. Because we have received conflicting information and contradictory data from separate Wilson County offices I cannot make a decision about whether or not to retract my charge of discriminatory practice and policy.

In addition to the church bulletin discount, I would like to inquire as to why “God and Country” was used instead of something that would be more inclusive for all citizens within Wilson County and the surrounding areas. Based on the Web Page, it would seem to me that “Patriotism Day,” “Proud to be an American Day,” or “Support the Troops Day” would be a more appropriate theme than “God and Country.” Using “God and Country Day” lets thousands of area citizens know that they are “second class” when it comes to Wilson County. Whether or not that was or is the intent of Wilson County is irrelevant because that is the way non-religious citizens in the great state of Tennessee perceive it.

In anticipation of your reply,

In reason,
Blair Scott

National Affiliate Outreach Director, American Atheists
Alabama State Director, American Atheists
Online: http://atheists.org/al and http://alabamaatheist.org/naod

Email: bscott@atheists.org or alabamaatheist@gmail.com

Pri Phone: (256) 701-6265
Sec Phone: (256) 503-1123
Postal: PO Box 41, Ryland, AL 35767-2000
MySpace: http://myspace.com/alabamaatheist

YouTube: http://youtube.com/blairscott

American Atheists is a nationwide movement which defends the civil rights of nonbelievers, works for the separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. American Atheists, Inc. PO Box 158, Cranford, NJ 07016, Tel: (908) 276-7300 Fax: (908) 276-7402

Blair has yet to receive a response of any kind from Mrs. Lewis, but it seems clear from what response he has received, that the event is explicitly intended to honor the Christian churchgoing citizens of Wilson County. When Christians are given a discount to a government endorsed community event, it is the same thing as instituting an atheist tax. They may as well advertize that atheists will be assessed a $2 fee for attending the fair.

With Blair’s help, we at Nashville’s Secular Life have organized an event of our own. We plan to attend the Wilson County Fair on August 17^th. We will be wearing shirts proclaiming our support for foxhole atheists when we gather at the main entrance before enjoying a group lunch at the fairgrounds. The following is the official press release:

AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.

Office of the National Affiliate Outreach Director & Alabama State Director

http://www.atheists.org

http://www.atheists.org/al/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUG 06, 2008

For more information, please contact:

Blair Scott, National Affiliate Outreach Director and Alabama State Director, (256) 701-6265, bscott@atheists.org

WILSON COUNTY TN FAIR’S “GOD AND COUNTRY DAY” AND CHURCH PROGRAM DISCOUNT DISCRIMINATORY AND LIKELY CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION

Wilson County’s Fair Office has made August 17th “God and Country Day” at the fair with a tribute to military personnel. In addition, they are offering a $2 discount for anyone bringing a church bulletin.

The official government endorsement of a religious event at the fair and giving special discount only to Christian citizens is likely a violation of the Tennessee (Article I, Section 3) and Federal Constitutions (Establishment Clause). Providing a discount only for churchgoers is a clear form of discrimination against anyone attending non-Christian churches, Atheists, and other non-theist citizens of Wilson County and the surrounding areas.

When asked why Wilson County was discriminating against non-Christian citizens, a Wilson County Fair Office representative stated, “That is just God and Country day and promoting that event.” The representative continued, “That’s one of the discounts for that Sunday for people that do attend church.”

Blair Scott, the National Affiliate Outreach Director for American Atheists said, “It is unfortunate that Wilson County has decided to specifically endorse and promote Christianity through this program and discriminate against its non-Christian citizens. I was disappointed when the Fair Office stated they did not see this as discrimination.”

Mr. Scott, along with Secular Life Nashville, North Alabama Freethought Association, and Florence United Non-Theists will be gathering at the fair on August 17th wearing T-shirts to support Foxhole Atheists during the tribute to military personnel at the fair. Additionally, area Atheists will be bringing print-outs of their group Web Pages and asking for the $2 discount on admission. Invitations to participate have been sent to other Atheist groups throughout the United States.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers, works for the total separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

American Atheists, Inc.

PO BOX 158

Cranford, NJ  07016

Tel: (908) 276-7300

Fax: (908) 276-7402

I encourage any sympathetic parties to join us in proving that Christian faith is not ubiquitous, and does not have a monopoly on compassion and patriotism.