Reading these documents, it becomes clear just how openly Lakeland has been in support of forcing dominionist/fundamentalist "Christianity" down the throats of the rest of the citizens.  They list excerpts from some of the prayers and mini-speeches given by the preachers.  I noted that the majority of the speakers were connected with either the Assemblies of God or the Southern Baptists.  An invocation was also given by a Roman Catholic priest, and his was almost as "pushy" as the others.  I might add that the attitudes you see in some of the examples were typical and what you experience when you go into public- you even encounter dominionist messages and symbols in the supermarket and stores, and you have a 50/50 chance of being accosted if you go to any public place (or visit private places like going to yard sales).

There is a mosque in the city, and there are also a lot of followers of non-Christian religions.  There are people who are Christian but who follow a completely different path than mainstream (and Pentecostal/Dominionist/Fundamentalist) "Christianity" (we fit that category).  Our views are not only not represented, but openly opposed by the practices of the city.  If you read the documents, you'll even realize that the dominant practices are being forced on others and if you don't fall into the dominant forms of "Christianity", you are singled out for abuse and discrimination.

The so-called "Christians" around here will cry "DISCRIMINATION FROM ATHEISTS".  I'm expecting that.  It is the usual response when their abuses are opposed (we're already hearing rumbling like that- not only nationwide as Bruce has recently mentioned, but locally).   I'm really angry about this.  I expect that the city will raise taxes (or electric rates) to pay for the lawsuit... and while I want the city to loose big-time, I don't want to have our expenses raised by their stupidity and selfishness (right now we couldn't afford it, and since we're already discriminated against, why should we have to pay for fighting against the discrimination?).  The atheists have always suggested a compromise and that is what they are seeking- a moment of silence.  That is a good compromise, because it allows each citizen to do as their conscious and beliefs dictate (except maybe those who believe they HAVE to force their religion on others).  The city won't have it, and their argument is that the practice has been going on for a long time.

Well, slavery went on for generations and it finally was stopped.  Just because something has been a regular practice for generations doesn't mean that it's right or even tolerable!!!