Shelton Resident Wins Right to Place Atheist 'Winter Solstice' Sign at City Park

SHELTON, CT — Shelton resident and atheist Jerry Bloom recently won the right to place a "freethinking" Winter Solstice sign at Shelton's Huntington Green until Dec. 23, according to the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

The sign, which can be seen from three nearby churches, writes the Valley Independent Sentinel, states: "At this Season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth & superstition that hardens hearts & enslaves minds."

With the help of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, Bloom sued Shelton and reached a settlement to erect the sign for a limited amount of time.

The lawsuit claimed the local American Legion was allowed to place a religious display in Shelton's Constitution Park, so he should have the right to display an alternative message at the same park. The settlement changed the venue to the Huntington Green, and separately, the Legion changed its display to reindeer because the angel display had busted bulbs.

"We'd prefer to keep public parks and government buildings free from religious divisiveness," said FFRF Co-President Dan Barker in a statement. "But if a devotional nativity display is allowed, there must be 'room at the inn' for all points of view, including irreverence and freethought."

Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti told the Sentinel that allowing Bloom to erect the sign is fair because he is being treated the same as anyone else. Lauretti added that it is what Jesus would have done.

Click here to read the full story on the Valley Independent Sentinel website.

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