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Judge backs mayor in flap with atheists

By: Associated Press//June 7, 2012//

Judge backs mayor in flap with atheists

By: Associated Press//June 7, 2012//

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WARREN, Mich. (AP) — A judge says a Detroit suburb 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 said 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, wanted to post a sign that said religion is a “myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

A message seeking comment was left for the group’s lawyer Thursday.

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