SONOMA, CA – A Marine veteran’s complaints has caused all religious Christmas imagery be removed from Sonoma County government buildings.
Irv Sutley is a disabled 65 year old Marine veteran. He is a lifelong atheist and is also chairman of the Sonoma County’s Peace and Freedom Party.
Upon seeing an angel atop the Christmas tree in the county recorder’s office, Sutley filed a complaint with the County Administrator. He believes the religious symbols are “extremely offensive” and part of the “cult” of Christianity.
“I just don’t believe government has the right to intrude on anyone and force them into sectarian behavior,” said Sutley. “I’ve opposed Buddhist statues, the star of David — anything of a religious nature.”
Sutley pointed to a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that stated any religious symbols on government-sponsored Christmas trees are considered an illegal endorsement of Christianity.
All 26 county departments have now been instructed to remove any and all religious holiday symbols from displays.
Jim Toomey, the public information officer for the county, confirmed the order. “To avoid any controversy and to satisfy this gentleman’s concerns, the ornaments were removed,” said Toomey.
Each year, America sees a struggle between church and state during the holiday season. In 2007, Oklahoma City employees defied orders to remove Christian-themed decorations from their office. In 1999, a display featuring a menorah and manger scene was found to be constitutional once a symbol from Kwanzaa and numerous secular symbols such as Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman were added.
For a good history on where the term "separation of church and state" came from, and why Sutley actually knows nothing about the US Constitution, read this brief article. http://www.RogueReport.com
Taking offense at the display of a semi-religious holiday decoration and equating it with state sponsored religion is the mark of a spiteful and unhappy moron who hopes to bring everyone else down into his own bland joyless misery of a life.
For the record I am not christian and don’t even have much of a high regard for that religion but why propagate this panty waist culture of sensitivity to every minor offense?
1)being told by a christian that your are damned because you believe a phony religion: Offensive
2)angel doll on a tree: Not Offensive
guess what you guys irv´s alter ego is the grinch who stole christmas
Merry Christmas Irv.
Your life must really suck!
I'll donate some money so you can move somewhere that has lots of sand.
DROP DEAD YOU OLD POS!!!! MY SATAN TAKE YOUR SOUL AND IT BURN IN HELL FOR ETERNITY. I WILL ONE DAY DO MY BEST TO FIND WHERE YOU ARE BURIED AND I WILL LEAVE A *HIT CANDLE AND LIGHT IT IN MEMORY OF YOUR PATHETIC LIFE!
ALL SHOULD WRITE TO MR.SUTLEY AT irvsutley@yahoo.com LET HIM KNOW HOW WE FEEL.
I looked up the party's website and saw their manifesto"The Peace and Freedom Party is an open, multi-tendency, movement-oriented socialist party. We are united in our common commitment to socialism, democracy, feminism and unionism and our common opposition to capitalism, imperialism, racism, sexism and elitism.
I consider myself to be an athiest as well but, in no way should my beliefs be forced upon others. To be so offended by another's display of faith shows the weakness of one's own character.
Mr. Sutley is obviously another socialist that believes that he is smarter than everyone else. His arrogance is astounding. He is on a crusade to prove that his pitiful existence is validated by imposing his will upon others.
Mr. Sutley I will keep you in my nightly prayers. You don't need to be so afraid and angry. Remember, Jesus loves you always, no matter what.
To quote GK Chesterton:
If there were no God ,there would be no atheists.
Ponder that Irv.
Mr. Sutlry, you need to be shot in the family jewels.