Judge to City--Take Down That Cross!!

A judge in Jacksonville,FL ruled that the city of Starke,FL must take the cross down from their municipal water tower.

In a decision this week, Senior U.S. District Judge John H. Moore II said the lighted cross, which had been on top of the structure since the 1970s, violated the federal and Florida constitutions by endorsing religion. The city had argued that the cross was really a lower-case T for "Tornadoes," the team mascot for Bradford High School. It also argued that the Bradford County resident who filed the lawsuit along with American Atheists Inc. had no standing to bring the action. The suit was filed in 2005.

Judge Moore did acknowledge in his judgment that the city of Starke had all ready taken down the cross before his decision was made, but Judge Moore still went ahead and issued a ruling on this case to ensure the city would not put the cross back up on the water tower.

Starke is a small town in Northeast Florida more known for being the last ride of famous, and not so famous, murderers in the State of Florida. Serial killers Aileen Wuornos, Danny Rolling and Ted Bundy were executed here. However, Starke now becomes the latest town to join the list of municipalities fighting the 'separation of religion and government' issue.

Atheist Lon Bevil was the plaintiff in the case, and Bevill said he was happy to see the 10ft cross come down. Bevill did not think it was right to use city tax payer money to maintain the cross. Bevill states that he does not have anything against Christians, however, Bevill thinks Christians go too far in trying to 'push' their religion.

Mr.Bevil also notes that he has had to carry a .25-caliber hand gun around with him because of the numerous verbal threats and physical altercations that he faced because of this lawsuit.

Read more at jacksonville.com