It appears atheism is still illegal in Lakeland, Fla

[Synnical]

Jesting, of course. I lived in that heinous town for 10 years. Used to be a pretty city with great lakes (they're all polluted now) but still a town, owned by old money and Baptists.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100405/NEWS/4055056/1410?Title=LPD-Called-to-Cool-Lakeland-Prayer-Protest-Dispute

LPD Called to Cool Lakeland Prayer Protest Dispute

LAKELAND | Emotions flared and police were called to the Lakeland City Commission meeting Monday, partly to keep a man who shouted at a group of atheists from tangling with them.


Atheists of Florida Lakeland Chapter member EllenBeth Wachs proves her patriotism by holding up an American flag with the help of Atheists of Florida Presidetn John Kiegger during the Lakeland City Commission meeting Monday April 5, 2010 in Lakeland, Florida.
Buy photo
CINDY SKOP | THE LEDGER

The atheists are threatening to sue the city.

Five atheists attended the meeting Monday, the third meeting for some of them in recent weeks. They say the city's prayer before the meetings violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields said he and fellow Lakelanders don't appreciate people who live outside the city "hijacking" city meetings.

"They've been given ample time to make their case," Fields said later of the atheist group. He said the plan of the atheists is to be "rude, disruptive and disrespectful" while drawing attention to themselves.

Members of the Tampa-based Atheists of Florida made it clear from the beginning of the meeting that they thought invoking God's name didn't belong at City Hall. They stood and loudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance with everyone else but skipped the "under God" part.

At the end of the meeting, during the public comment portion, Fields invoked a rule used occasionally during city meetings that only one person from a group can speak.

John Kieffer, president of Atheists of Florida, tried to speak after EllenBeth Wachs, the Lakeland chapter's director, had spoken. But Fields called a recess, ending the meeting.

Kieffer said he was a Vietnam veteran and was "outraged" when denied the right to speak.

More at link.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale