An atheist in Alabama has been facing vicious backlash ever since she raised her voice against a religious display inside a government office. A display reading “In God We Trust” was spotted inside Mobile’s Government Plaza by 21-year-old Amanda Scott, who is a paralegal student at Faulkner State Community College.
In June, Scott along with eight other nonbelievers, asked Mobile County Commission not to approve the blatantly religious display but the commission was not swayed by their reasoning and went on to vote in favour of the plaque anyway. In August, Scott testified for a second time, proposing the installation of a public forum at the same venue where people of all faiths would be allowed to put up their own messages. However, the commission rejected that idea as well.
For trying to make everyone in the locality feel included, Scott has been receiving a steady stream of hate comments. While some have left vile and misogynistic comments on her personal Facebook page, others have wished for her to die, some even asking her to kill herself.
“I hope you go to Hell you filthy Atheist”; “I think this lady is just trying to get some attention, because no guy wants to go out with her”; “Whatever happened to stoning people in the city square?” and “Get a rope” are only some of the comments that have been reported by the media.
However, Scott has been very brave and chosen to stand by her idea despite such crude reactions. While she does feel the comments are disappointing, she plans to continue her efforts.
“I will not allow the hatred to discourage me from continuing to defend the constitutional principle of the separation of church and state and the civil rights of atheists here in the city of Mobile and the state of Alabama,” she said.
In his “Wall of Separation” blog post, Americans United Assistant Director of Communications Simon Brown admired Scott’s mission.
“Government should never exclude anyone, certainly not by favoring religion over non-belief. Scott knows this well; perhaps one day those around her will know it, too,” he wrote.
Photo Credits: Wikimedia
