Group Wants Monument In Caldwell To Atheism Leader Says Ten Commandments Tribute Breaches Separation Of Church And State

Thu., Aug. 7, 1997

Associated Press

The Idaho director of American Atheists Inc. wants to erect a monument to atheism on city property, displayed as prominently as the Ten Commandments monument near the front of City Hall.

Mayor Dick Winder said he will take the request before the City Council at its next meeting but believes the city has no obligation to meet the request from Caldwell resident Daniel Foster. Winder said he won’t do anything unless the City Council takes part.

Foster has sent several letters to the mayor complaining about “this Christian monument” on property reserved for secular government.

Foster said Wednesday the monument’s placement is a “breach of separation of state and church.” He said the goals of his organization are to promote freedom of thought and strict separation of state and church. He said he is not aware of any similar protests by atheists elsewhere in Idaho.

Foster said if the City Council turns down his request, he might go to court.

The American Civil Liberties Union paid more than $900 to Bannock County after losing a similar battle over the Ten Commandments monument at the courthouse.

In response to a complaint, the county erected two additional monuments - one disclaiming any religious beliefs or preferences and the other quoting Thomas Jefferson on religious freedom.

But the ACLU rejected the attempted compromise and went to federal court.

Last September, U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge ruled for the county, holding in a 30-page opinion that the county had succeeded in putting the monument into a secular context.

Lodge said there was no evidence that the monument displaying basic moral precepts was connected to any church or gave preference to any religion.

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Group Wants Monument In Caldwell To Atheism Leader Says Ten Commandments Tribute Breaches Separation Of Church And State

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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