(ETH) – The town of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, has reportedly painted over a biblical display of Noah’s Ark on a library playground following a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is an atheist group.
According to the report from the Christian Post, Stevens Memorial Library had featured at its playground a turning picture game of Noah’s Ark, which FFRF said violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
A letter was sent from a staff attorney named Madeline Ziegler, at FFRF, to Terri Antsiss, who. is the director of the library, on July 22nd on behalf of a “concerned community member.” “Each section of the turning game contains a passage from the tale [of Noah’s Ark], which is paraphrased from the book of Genesis in order to be more easily understood,” Ziegler explained in the letter.
According to the report, After citing legal precedent holding that “permanent displays on public land are government speech” and that “the display of this biblical tale on public property confers government endorsement of religion,” Ziegler complained that the biblical display “has the effect of privileging one religion over others and alienates the nearly 26% of American adults who identify as non-religious.”
Ziegler also urged the library to “remove this turning picture game from the playground and refrain from approving any such displays in the future” and requesting “a written response detailing the steps taken to resolve this matter.” The Christian Post Cited:
“Ultimately, the town of Ashburnham responded to the FFRF’s request. “Thank you for bringing this matter to the town’s attention,” Ashburnham Town Administrator Brian Doheny wrote in an e-mail to the nonprofit organization. “In response to your letter, the town has painted over both sides of the display with white paint so no symbolism is shown.”
“In response to the decision to paint over the biblical display, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor claimed victory. “We’re pleased the town realized that allowing biblical preaching to children at a public institution isn’t in keeping with our nation’s secular ideals,” she said.
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