Whiteville Cross Threatened by Atheist Group

WHITEVILLE, Tenn. - A northeast Tennessee town is facing a dilemma that could lead to a lawsuit. A national atheist organization is threatening a court action if the city of Whiteville doesn't take down a cross that sits atop the town's water tower.

The sign of the cross, no matter its elemental composition, is symbolic of Christianity's roots worldwide. But in the religiously steeped Hardeman County, Tennessee community of Whiteville, it's where a metal cross rests that's drawn a stinging ultimatum from a national organization: the local government either takes it down from the town's water tower by the end of October, or face a full-fledged lawsuit financed by the Wisconsin-based atheist group Freedom from Religion Foundation.

"I don't see a reason that they'd be afraid of us just because we're Christians and have a cross up there. I'm sure there's other religions here in town," said Whiteville business owner Elsie Green.

"If they want it down let them get up there and take it down. Cause obviously, the cross is disturbing them," stated Tennessee State Representative Johnny Shaw.

The only thing obvious, according to the Freedom from Religion Foundation's co-president Dan Barker, who spoke with us by phone, is the perceived violation of the First Amendment rights of other non-Christians in the community.

"When the government itself speaks as the government and is promoting or hindering religion, then that crosses the line that violates our basic First Amendment freedoms."

Erected eight years ago through private donations from churches, businesses and individuals at a cost of $4,400, it was in late December of last year when Whiteville Mayor, James Bellar, received the first of a handful of letters threatening legal action against the city. He admittedly chose to ignore them until just two weeks ago. Then a Nashville law firm issued the ultimatum the town had until October 29th to remove the cross or be forced to head to court.

Bellar's responses have escalated to point of accusing the 85% atheist membership of the Freedom from Religion Foundation of giving new meaning to the word "terrorists."

"A terrorist is also someone who will come into a very Christian community and try to disrupt our lives, try to change our beliefs," he said.

"That cross has to come down from the water tower. It can be put up in church or private property," countered Barker. "We support Christians advertising their faith and their cross, even though we think it's silly and irrational and even dangerous, we support their freedom."

But, with the Freedom from Religion Foundation having waged similar successful campaigns against public displays of religious symbols across the country, Whiteville citizens have decided to bear their own crosses - not in court, but in their front yards all over the town of 12-hundred people. But, Mayor Bellar has offered one more "unique" compromise offer.

"I've even gone so far as to tell them that if they want to come down here and put their image on the side of the tank, I'll let 'em paint SATAN on the tank if they'd like to. So, they will have representation," Bellar suggested.