A judge ruled Tuesday against a Humanist who said his constitutional rights were violated when he had to vote in a Catholic church adorned with religious icons and anti-abortion posters.

Jerry Rabinowitz claimed he felt uncomfortable when he entered a polling place decorated with various crucifixes, a sign that read "Each of us matters to God" and a pro-life banner.

In the November 2006 suit, filed against the county supervisor of elections in Palm Beach County, Florida, he testified that the religious displays amounted to the government's unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

A district court judge disagreed, citing the plaintiff's own claim that he "did not equate the religious icons and messages at his polling place with the defendant's endorsement of the Catholic faith."

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Filed under: * Religion News & Commentary • Church-State Issues

1. Anglicanum wrote: Oh grow up. August 3, 6:38 am | [comment link]

2. Words Matter wrote: As a Catholic, I would be more sympathetic to a fundamentalist who considered the statues to be idolatrous. However, this atheist seems bent on control and power and, as Anglicanum says, grow up. August 3, 7:11 am | [comment link]

3. azusa wrote: & don’t forget the money: ‘In God we trust’.... August 3, 7:21 am | [comment link]

4. GillianC wrote: We will continue to fight for the right to guard ourselves against “feeling uncomfortable”.  How odd - did our forefathers guarantee the right to life, liberty and COMFORT?  Pullleeeezz. August 3, 8:44 am | [comment link]

5. Cennydd wrote: I say “Hooray for the judge!” August 3, 11:47 am | [comment link]

6. Nikolaus wrote: I suppose I won’t be surprised when I read that someone has filed suit because they are offended by the churches that they have to drive by.  Jerry needs to get a life. August 3, 1:14 pm | [comment link]

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