A Florida courthouse that stirred controversy over posting the Ten Commandments has decided as part of a legal settlement to give equal time to atheists.

The group, American Atheists, objected to Bradford County Courthouse’s Decalogue display last year and sued the county, claiming the Ten Commandments monument violated the separation of church-state doctrine.

To resolve the matter, local officials offered to put up a display by the atheists alongside the biblical one, which was agreeable with the plaintiffs.

“While separation of religion and government is always our primary motivation, equal access in this case works for us,” Dave Muscato, public relations director for American Atheists, told the Christian Post. “We are thrilled to place what we believe to be the first ever atheist-sponsored monument on government property in the history of the United States.”

The group plans to display a monument bench that will feature quotes from Madalyn Murray O’Hair, a renowned atheist activist, an excerpt from the Treaty of Tripoli signed by President John Adams, and quotes from founders Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

“It also includes a 10-point list that parallels the Ten Commandments monument, specifying the Biblical punishment prescribed for violating each commandment, with Biblical citations,” Muscato added. “Several of the punishments are simply execution.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Fla. Courthouse to Have First in the Nation Atheist Monument (by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post)

Florida Courthouse to See Country’s First Atheist Monument (by Eric Dolan, Raw Story)

American Atheists (Facebook)

Fort Bragg Agrees to Allow Atheist-Themed Concert on Base (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Atheists in Foxholes Demand Recognition (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)