The Freedom From Religion Foundation today contacted Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, protesting his decision to override the Department of Natural Resources and return bibles to all lodge rooms and cabins in Georgia state parks. The DNR, appropriately, had removed the bibles after a guest complained.
FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell wrote a letter on behalf of FFRF’s Georgia membership, as well as FFRF’s 19,000 members nationwide, pointing out “Certainly, if a guest wants to read this religious text during their stay, they can bring their own copy.”
“Permitting members of outside groups the privilege of placing their religious literature in public-owned and maintained state park cabins constitutes state endorsement and advancement of these Christian publications,” Cavell wrote. “Such a practice alienates non-Christian park visitors,” including the one in five adult Americans who identify as nonreligious.
In the event that the governor ignores FFRF’s request, the national state/church group formally requested that one of its “bible warning labels” be placed on each bible in a Georgia cabin or lodge room.
FFRF’s bible warning label, bearing a skull and crossbones, reads:
“Warning! Literal belief in this book may endanger your health and life!”
“We would prefer that the State of Georgia ensure bible-free rooms at state parks. But since the Governor’s Office has announced its intention to promote one religion’s teachings over other religions and over non-religion, we must insist that the State of Georgia provide our nonreligious group some equal time. Fifty million Americans are free from religion, and millions more follow other faiths which do not revere the Christian bible.”
