A group is protesting a Ten Commandments sign by building an atheist sign

Jun 7, 2013 09:25 GMT  ·  By

An atheist organization has filed a suit in Bradford County, protesting against a monument listing the Ten Commandments.

They will be putting up their own monument contesting the Christian sign, on which they are set to include harsh punishments imposed by religious groups for breaking the Commandments.

The black granite plaque was placed in front of the county courthouse, which to many is a violation of their constitutional rights.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

"That's not an American thing to say, that you're supposed to be punished for worshipping another god," argues Dave Muscato, speaking for the American Atheists group.

Protests ensued, and they have won the right to erect their own monument in court. A mediation which took place in March gave them the permission to erect a sign that is set to outline the separation between church and state in the US.

"If religious groups are going to have monuments, then it's only appropriate that we have matching monuments. [...] But it's our preference that none of these are here," Muscato says.

"From the county's perspective, that was something that the atheists could have achieved without taking us to court," Will Sexton, attorney for the county responds.

The monument will take the form of a 1,500-pound (680-kg) bench which will be set up in front of the courthouse in Starke.

Christian groups also rallied near the monument, lobbying for the preservation of the Ten Commandments plaque.

Some mention the fact that religion impacts society and stands as a basis of it, by means of laying down guidelines for morality.

According to the Gainesville Sun, the Community Men's Fellowship is trying to calm spirits down, posting on Facebook how everyone has a right to religious representation and free speech.

"We want you all to remember that this issue was won on the basis of this being a free speech issue, so don't be alarmed when the American Atheists want to erect their own sign or monument.

"It's their right. As for us, we will continue to honor the Lord and that's what matters," they write.