Freedom from Religion group rebuts column supporting Nativity scene in county building

Aleta Ledendecker
Guest columnist

Greg Johnson’s column of Jan. 4 is fraught with misinformation and hyperbole. It serves to inflame rather than inform the public.  

Aleta Ledendecker

Johnson wrote (referring to a display in the Andrew Johnson Building): “This little figurine Nativity scene turned the unbelieving folks from the Wisconsin-based group right rabid. They wrote another threatening letter to Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett telling him to remove it.”

The East Tennessee chapter of the Freedom from Religion Foundation asked the Knox County School System to remove this Nativity scene inside the Andrew Johnson Building.

First, a Knoxville employee who requested anonymity complained to the Freedom From Religion Foundation - East Tennessee Chapter. Neither the national organization nor the local chapter addresses issues without local complainants. Additionally, neither of the original communications was directed primarily to Burchett. One was sent to the Knox County Health Department and one to the director of human resources for Knox County Schools, Kelly Drummond. The second did include a Cc: to Burchett. Drummond has graciously responded that her office will “definitely address the concerns as written.” As of this writing, Burchett has not responded to that letter.

Greg Johnson:Burchett persists against anti-religion group

The “Wisconsin-based” organization did not initiate the communications originally sent to these Knox County governmental agencies, although the co-president of FFRF did send a follow-up letter to Burchett regarding his response to the first communication. Furthermore, The East Tennessee chapter disagrees with Johnson’s assessment that these communications were threatening and requests that he provide evidence of that threat. One can only wonder at the motivation of Johnson and/or Burchett in making such a claim.

The comparison of FFRF to ISIS to too ludicrous to even address. 

In the above brief sentence, Johnson also described members of FFRF as “rabid” or, according to a dictionary definition, “having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something.” One of the purposes of FFRF is to support separation of church and state. If requests to follow established legal precedent are considered extreme, then Johnson’s opinion should be questioned. On the other hand, “rabid” might better be applied to religious “fanatics.”

More:Now, Freedom from Religion group wants removal of desktop Nativity at AJ Building

The Founders of our country were very careful in framing the Constitution. They did not want the government to establish any religion. Christian displays on government property privilege that religion over others. In this recent hubbub over the religious displays in Knox County buildings, it would appear supporters of unconstitutional practice are more fanatical than FFRF-East Tennessee’s upholding the Constitution. If Johnson finds these actions threatening, perhaps his faith and his religion are so weak that they need bolstering through governmental support. James Madison was of the opinion that both religion and government would be stronger the more they are kept separate. 

Madison also wrote against the “tyranny of the majority.” The Founding Fathers were careful to design a government that would counteract the possible tyranny of direct democracy where majorities could vote against the well-being and/or rights of minority groups. On the other hand, Johnson wrote: “East Tennessee is overwhelmingly conservative, overwhelmingly Christian … Burchett stands with the majority, for the majority.” This statement seems to advocate disregard for the rule of law on which our country is founded. And he considers FFRF of East Tennessee “rabid” and “fanatical” for its work to uphold the law. Who here is acting the bully, and who is working to see that all citizens are treated equally -- that none are given extra privileges by having their religion promoted on government property? 

Aleta Ledendecker is president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation - East Tennessee Chapter.