Judge backs Warren mayor in flap with atheists and nativity scene at city hall

1:28 PM, June 7, 2012
By Associated Press

A judge says the city of Warren did not violate the law when it barred atheists from displaying an anti-religion sign next to a nativity scene at city hall.

Federal Judge Lawrence Zatkoff says the mayor of Warren had authority to bar the poster last Christmas because he felt it was antagonistic and would cause hostility. The judge says officials were not excluding a religious group or a non-religious group.

The judge last week noted that Mayor Jim Fouts would have prohibited a sign attacking Santa Claus.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., wanted to post a sign that said religion is a "myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

http://www.freep.com/article/20120607/NEWS04/120607039/Warren-nativity-scene-atheist-sign