Persecution or freedom? Kansas town decides to remove religious cross from seal

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A small Kansas city established by immigrants who fled religious persecution is now being accused of violating the U.S. Constitution by endorsing Christianity.

Hutchnews.com reports that Buhler, a city established in 1888 by Mennonite wheat farmers, received a complaint in September from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The organization claimed that the city's seal, which is depicted on a sign in a public park, violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution because it includes a religious cross.

"The endorsement of religion in the Buhler seal is particularly egregious because the cross is prominently featured and used to symbolize the 'Traditional Values' portion of the town motto," FFRF attorney Patrick Elliott wrote in a letter to the City of Buhler.

"This is not a Christian nation," the FFRF's Annie Laurie Gaylor told KSN.com. "This (sign) sends an illegal message of favoritism of Christianity over other religions and you can't do that."

Buhler Mayor Daniel Friesen immediately solicited legal advice from the City Attorney, the Christian Law Center and the Center for Law and Justice. He also met with the City Council regarding the matter on October 30. But Friesen came to the conclusion that the City "has no supportable case in the event the city was sued to legally force us to remove the seal and sign," according to a letter he published on the City's website. The Council decided it was in the best interest of the community to redesign the seal.

"I believe I can speak for all of the members of the city council in saying that on a personal level we are utterly disappointed and frustrated by this matter," Friesen wrote.

In an interview with Fox New Radio, Friesen said that the decision was not made to appease this "fringe group." Rather, he said it was "a matter of protecting the community of Buhler from this organization."

Residents and non-residents took to Buhler's Facebook page to discuss the decision to redesign the seal. One person who agreed with the decision argued that "the law is the law, no excuses....out it goes"

"I will also just remind everyone that the FFRF's action was initiated by a resident of Buhler," they added. "So clearly, someone who lives there IS bothered by it."

Another person offered to have the sign put up in her yard, off of public property. "We would gladly have it (or another significant sign) in our yard," she wrote. "This town was founded by Mennonites, and the values of Buhler is the main reason we moved to Buhler."

What do you think -- Is redesigning the city's seal without a cross the right decision? Leave your comments below.

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