FFRF’s “State/Religion Separation” Display Returns to Chicago’s Daley Center Plaza!

After a three year absence, the FFRFMCC has once again erected FFRF’s counter protest to a Catholic shrine, which has been disrespecting our constitutional principle of the separation between state and church with its proselytizing messages on secular taxpayer property. The religious display has been placed at Chicago’s Daley Center Plaza for several years during each Christian “holy week.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, no events or private, unattended displays were allowed on the Plaza at this time last year. And, in 2019, logistical problems pertaining to conflicting events on the Plaza prevented the FFRFMCC from setting up then. But, we are once again proud to have our display defending the constitution.

On Saturday, April 3rd, two banners were placed in Daley Center Plaza promoting the secular views of the Founding Fathers. One banner reads “In Reason We Trust,” and pictures Thomas Jefferson, highlighting his famous advice to a nephew: “Question with boldness even the existence of a god…”

The other side proclaims, “Keep State & Religion Separate,” and pictures President John Adams, who signed the Treaty of Tripoli, which assured that “…the government of the United States is not in any sense, founded on the Christian religion…” This is contrary to the beliefs of Christian Nationalists who continue to perpetuate the myth that our country was founded on Christian principles. A myth which is dispelled so expertly by FFRF Director of Strategic Response, Andrew Seidel, with his book, “The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American.”

The FFRF display is designed to balance a period of prayer and evangelism in Daley Center Plaza by a Catholic group whose aim is to seek the “conversion of Chicago, America and the whole world” to their religion.

The religious display this year features a large, wooden Latin cross, which is an undeniably recognizable Christian symbol, along with four lecterns with signage promoting Catholicism. The objective of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and its Chicago chapter with its display is to set the record straight that our founding fathers, and framers of our secular constitution, did not intend for religion and government to be intertwined. With approximately 350,000 churches in the United States alone, Christians do not need, nor should they be allowed, to use government property to promote their religious beliefs. Such messaging should be kept to private property, specifically church grounds which the government allows religious organizations to have tax-free. Proselytizing messages on taxpayer property undermines the founders intentions calling for government to remain neutral regarding religion, and not to be used for promoting one religion over another, or religion over non-religion.

The 2021 FFRF display features a brand new, all-steel banner stand designed and fabricated by FFRFMCC Associate Director Shane Stapley, which replaces the previous wooden stand that was used. The new display stand is featured below. Pictured are Shane on the left and FFRFMCC Board member Steve Foulkes on the right, who both volunteered to set up the display.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its Chicago chapter are truly grateful for Shane and Steve’s efforts. The display will be up for public viewing from April 3 – April 10.