Texas towns are proud of their holiday displays and Kerrville is no exception. A local freethinking group's request to hang a banner at the Kerr County Courthouse has been voted on and denied twice this year by the Commissioner's Court.
The banner, which celebrates the Winter Solstice and depicts the Founding Fathers in a nativity-like scene, is contested among community members because some consider it a mockery of the Christian faith.
“Let us also honor the birth of our Bill of Rights, which reminds us there can be no freedom OF religion without freedom FROM religion in government,” the banner reads.
A similar dispute in the Texas State Capitol last year resulted in a pending federal lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which also provided the banner in question to the Kerrville Freethought group.
Guests:
- David Whitsett, member of Kerrville Freethought - "a group of atheists, agnostics and freethinkers"
- Sam Grover, staff attorney at Freedom from Religion Foundation - "a nonprofit, educational organization committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church"
- Jonathan Saenz, President of Texas Values - "a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and advancing a culture of family values in the state of Texas"