A public official calls atheists a "group of terrorists."
Leesburg, VA.- It must be Christmas in Leesburg, Va. Keeping with the historic town’s new holiday tradition, all of these scenes were erected in the yard in front of the Loudoun County Courthouse last year by community groups hoping to share their own brand of season’s greetings.
Nontraditional and provocative holiday displays have been featured on the yard since 2009, when the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors lifted a ban on courthouse displays and allowed community groups “equal access” to the grounds. And while this leaves the door open to anyone to showcase his beliefs, not everyone likes the way that different groups have been decking the grass mall.
“This is another example of putting fingers in eyes of shoppers and businesses and trying to make a mockery of Christmas holidays — that’s what they’re really about. They’re hell bent on trying to destroy people’s holidays,” said Ken Reid, a supervisor representing the Leesburg district.
“None of the religious organizations in the county have had any problem with what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s strictly this group of terrorists. They’re fanatics who basically want to stamp out religion in all public life and property” Reid said.
Ken Reid of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors gave a halfhearted apology on Wednesday for referring to an atheist group as “terrorists.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Reid said when asked if he should apologize. “But I still think they’re fanatical.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/26/leesburgs-christmas-distinctly-american/
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Loudoun-County-Supervisor-Calls-Atheists-Terrorists-181252281.html