A small town in Massachusetts painted over a Noah’s Ark display after an atheist group complained, according to The Christian Post.
Officials in Ashburnham, Massachusetts agreed to cover a turning game featuring the Noah’s ark story on the library’s playground with white paint. The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), an atheist group whose mission is to free people from religion, sent a letter to the town after a concerned citizen contacted them.
“It is settled that permanent displays on public land are government speech,” said FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler in her letter. “It makes no difference whether this part of the playground was donated to the city. As a permanent fixture, observers understand that the display is sanctioned and approved by the city.”
FFRF believes that “the government should not be using public grounds to promote Bible stories to the most impressionable members of society.”
The letter also requested that the city respond with its plan to remove the turning game from the playground.
Ashburnham Town Administrator Brian Doheny responded to FFRF, agreeing to their complaint.
“Thank you for bringing this matter to the town’s attention,” he said. “In response to your letter, the town has painted over both sides of the display with white paint so no symbolism is shown.”
A Noah’s Ark display made headlines before in the…
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