Mobile County commissioners in Alabama already approved the display of the motto "In God We Trust" in their chambers, but that did not stop some concerned residents from voicing their concerns over the religious sign.
The topic was debated during a commissioner meeting on Thursday, with atheists, Christians, and others stating their opinion.
One atheist said that the sign infringed upon freedom of religion guarantees.
"We are not anti-religion," he insisted. "We are not anti-Christian. We just don't believe that these stories are factual and reliable sources of information. It's perfectly fine that other people choose to believe otherwise. We don't care. We don't bother you.
"We did not come into these chambers and try to dominate other citizens by plastering our beliefs on a wall that we share with Christians. We've left you alone until somebody decided to mark their territory."
The commissioners voted 2-1 in June to display "In God We Trust" in the Government Plaza. Many citizens agreed with the decision.
"This is our national motto," John Butler, a Christian, said during the commissioner meeting. "It's a foundation for America. It's what America stands for."
"'In God We Trust' is the general statement of the mass belief of our county," another person added.
Others were concerned that the debate would turn into litigation when the sign is erected.
"I believe some of those people want to come to you ask for permission and get that denial of permission so they can turn around and sue you and taxpayers of Mobile County because you won't give them that permission," one citizen said, referring to requests from other groups to display their own signs.
The Mobile Atheist Community proposed a sign reading "In Reason We Trust," universalists prefer a sign that says "Coexist," and pagans requested "In Goddess(es) We Trust," Al.com reported.
