The Knights of Columbus currently have a sign reading “Keep Christ in Christmas” on government property (without a permit) in Pitman, New Jersey.

Ok. We’ve played this game before. If you want your display to be included in the mix, all you have to do is make a request and you shouldn’t be denied.

So that’s what the Freedom From Religion Foundation did. They applied for a permit to display their own response sign, which read, “Keep Saturn in Saturnalia”:

Saturnalia was a festival in Ancient Rome and some of its traditions are said to have been co-opted by early Christians in order to celebrate Christmas.

But borough officials rejected FFRF’s application:

“This is either a violation of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, or a sign that needed a permit — and without a permit, the borough is showing favoritism to a Christian organization,” said FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel.

It may seem silly, but this is a clear-cut rejection of non-theistic claims in favor of religious ones. Governments have no business giving preference to one over the other.