The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Monday, December 31, 2018 04:29 PM

Freedom From Religion Group's East Tennessee Chapter Wants Nativity Display Removed From Courthouse Building

The Freedom from Religion Foundation East Tennessee chapter sent a letter of correspondence to Kelly Drummond with Knox County Schools, copying Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Superintendent Bob Thomas. The letter was written in complaint of a Nativity display located at the Andrew Johnson Building on Floor M in front of the elevator.

According to the letter, an anonymous complainant said they felt uncomfortable coming forward because they did not practice Christianity.

"We ask that the employee(s) who placed the display be advised to remove it and be educated on the reasons that such displays in government work areas are neither appropriate nor legal," the letter read.

"Please also train all employees to be alert for and report displays such as this so co-workers of other (or no) religions feel comfortable in your workplace despite differing views," the letter continued. "In this regard we feel that part of your job is to protect those in the minority who may feel the religious climate diminishes their ability to speak for themselves."

The letter, signed by the President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation's East Tennessee chapter, ended with a request for a reply in writing "to inform us how this matter has been addressed so we many follow up with your employee."