Stealing for Jesus

FFRF OFFERS $1,500 REWARD FOR STOLEN BANNER

How's that for "Christian Morals"?

I'm betting they don't recover it, …well then again, if a Christian stole it, they may get it back, $1500, …it's not like they have any ethics either.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation's "Nobody died for our sins. Jesus Christ is a myth" banner has been stolen from a city park in Streator, Ill. The banner was placed in the park on Thursday evening and taken Saturday. 

FFRF is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s). Both the theft of the banner and vandalism to its supporting posts are classified as misdemeanors. Because FFRF's nonreligious message was targeted, the act also qualifies as a Class 4 felony under Illinois' hate crime law. Suspects should be reported to the Streator Police Department, 815-672-3111 or cs@ci.streator.il.us.

FFRF is working to place a new freethought banner as a replacement within a few days. 

"It is so dismaying to see mob rule prevail," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. " This vandalism amounts to censorship and supression of minority viewpoints. This crime against our banner shows the harm when a local government purports to create a 'public forum' for religion on government property. The only viewpoint that is going to be heard in Streater is a Christian viewpoint. There are tax-exempt Christian churches throughout Streater where it is appropriate to place Christian crosses and displays. A public park is not one of them."

FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with over 18,000 members nationwide, including nearly 700 in Illinois. 

FFRF's banner placed on behalf of a local resident, countered a religious cross display that has sat on city property since early March. This is the fifth straight year that park-goers and passersby have been told via a prominent sign that "Jesus died for your sins."

City officials granted FFRF permission to erect an eight-foot by three-foot banner in city park near the crosses.