Town Hall Banner: sign of trouble?

Town Hall Banner: sign of trouble?

by Carolyn James

The "Support Our Troops—God Bless America" banner over the front entrance of Babylon Town Hall is ten-feet long and can be seen from afar—apparently as far away as Madison, Wisconsin. The Freedom from Religion Foundation, which is based in that city, has sent a letter to Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone asking that he remove the sign.

A letter signed by Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the organization, said the sign is a prayer, "conceived, hosted, and advocated by a publicy-supported government" and as such, "does not pass constitutional muster."

"The phrase "God Bless America," uttered by a government body, amounts to a declaration of orthodoxy in religion," said Gaylor. "It is a phase that falsely unites patriotism with piety."

In a strongly worded response, that first outlines the legal precedence under which Bellone believes the sign is appropriate and constitutional, Bellone said the town would not be taking down the sign. Similar to the motto, "In God We Trust" and the other religious acknowledgements held permissible, the Town of Babylon is merely expressing its support for American soldiers serving our nation overseas.

"The town is not promoting or encouraging religion by the erection of a sign that includes the words "God Bless America," said Bellone in the October 3rd letter. "Therefore the town will continue to support the troops in the way it deems appropriate and will not be removing the sign."

James McDonaugh, the Republican candidate for Town Supervisor said he’d love to find issues to disagree with Bellone on but that in this case, he can’t. "I fully support his position and am glad that he is not taking down the sign," said McDonaugh.

In a phone interview, Bellone said God Bless America is an American motto and should not be wrapped up in a ridiculous battle to remove God from every aspect of the public sector. "I am not going to allow a few overzealous individuals to interfere with something this important to our community and to force us to remove a message that here in Babylon, we support our troops."