Atheists demand Texas town remove 'Jesus Welcomes You' sign


The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FRF) in Wisconsin has threatened legal action against the town of Hawkins, Texas for erecting a sign on city property that says “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins.”

The town of Hawkins, about 75 miles east of Dallas, installed the sign four years ago, and it was supported by the city council, the Chamber of Commerce, and numerous residents. Students from the local high school’s shop class helped make the sign. According to The Tyler (Texas) Morning Telegraph, FRF sent a letter to the city asking them to remove the sign and “refrain from displaying any messages that endorse religion or non-religion in the future,” arguing that it is an “unconstitutional religious display on government property.”

“It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for the city of Hawkins to display the sign, because it conveys both a government preference for religion over non-religion and prefers Christianity over other religions,” an attorney for the foundation wrote in the letter.
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Mayor Will Rogers said a recent public meeting showed overwhelming support from residents in favor of the sign, which is maintained by private funds and volunteers, not the town. Although Hawkins town officials have not decided how to respond to the letter, Mayor Rogers believes the city will win if they go to court to keep the sign.

H/T: The Tyler Morning Telegraph, PoliticalIllusionsExposed.com

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