Atheists demand removal of Christian flag, Latin cross from Georgia state courthouse

An atheist group is demanding the removal of a Christian flag and Latin cross from a Georgia courthouse, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution.

In a letter to Clerk of Courts Rebecca Rowe of Bryant County, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) said the display of the Latin cross on a flag is contrary to the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government's endorsement of religion.

"A majority of federal courts has held displays of Latin crosses on public property to be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion," it said. "The inherent religious significance of the Christian flag and Latin cross is undeniable and is not disguisable."

The FFRF added that "no secular purpose, no matter how sincere, will detract from the overall message that the flag stands for Christianity and the overall display promotes Christianity."

It claims that the display "confers government of Christianity, a blatant violation of the Establishment Clause."

The flag is positioned next to the judge's bench in a Bryant County courtroom.

The FFRF said the flag is a traditional Christian design that was conceptualised by Protestants in the early 20th century.

"The white in the flag is said to represent the biblical notions of purity, the blue is supposed to stand for baptism in water and the red is meant to symbolise the sacrifice that Jesus made for mankind," it said.

FFRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said "Christianity has no place in our secular courtrooms. The flag needs to be gotten rid of at once."

The flag, it said, is sending a message to the nearly 30 percent of non-Christians that they are not "favoured members of the political community," quoting the U.S. Supreme Court.

It added that the cross creates "an exclusionary effect, making non-Christian and non-believing residents of Bryant County political outsiders."

"It is unconstitutional for a government entity to display a flag with a patently religious symbol and meaning on its grounds. You must take immediate action and remove this flag from the courthouse," FFRF said in the letter.