78-486: The Rhea County Courthouse is a historic county courthouse in the center of Dayton , the county seat of Rhea County, Tennessee . Built in 1891, it is famous as the scene of the Scopes trial of July 1925, in which teacher John T. Scopes faced charges for including Charles Darwin 's theory of evolution in his public school lesson . The trial became a clash of titans between lawyers William Jennings Bryan for
156-533: A Christian prayer. After the FFRF sent a second letter in February 2013, the mayor stated at that time that prayers would continue. Joseph Richardson, of Lake County, Florida , delivered a secular invocation on behalf of "non-religious citizens" at a county commission meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Following the invocation the director of Lake County Public Works Fred Schneider took the microphone and delivered
234-726: A Purpose-Filled Life Without God , Life Driven Purpose , God: The Most Unpleasant Character in all Fiction , and Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children , is a musician and songwriter, a former Pentecostal Christian minister, and co-president of FFRF. In June 2004, the FFRF challenged the constitutionality of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives . The Foundation's complaint alleged that "the use of money appropriated by Congress under Article I, section 8 , to fund conferences that various executive branch agencies hold to promote President Bush's ' Faith-Based and Community Initiatives ' " conflicted with
312-605: A federal judge stated that the suit could go forward. In August 2013, the Justice Department argued that leaders of an atheist group may qualify for the parish exemption. Gaylor states "this is not what we are after", going on to say that the government should not give religious groups any special treatment. On November 21, 2013, a federal judge ruled in the FFRF's favor. In January 2014, the Department of Justice filed an appeal in federal court. In November 2014,
390-488: A former pastor who left the ministry to join the atheist movement. FFRF provides financial support to the Secular Student Alliance , an organization that has affiliate groups for nonreligious students on college campuses. In 2015, FFRF announced Nonbelief Relief, a related organization that obtained and later gave up its federal tax-exempt status. Nonbelief Relief was unsuccessful in a lawsuit against
468-404: A highly sensationalized trial, the culture clash between legal principles, as well as fundamentalism and modernism left an enduring mark on American society. The defense called Bryan to the stand to defend fundamentalism, and successfully exposed the underlying ignorance of his views. In subsequent years, many states that had enacted similar laws repealed them. A $ 1-million project which restored
546-416: A humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons; hot and humid in the summer, warm and mild in spring and fall, and cool in winter with some snow. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 7,065 people, 2,311 households, and 1,510 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 6,180 people, 2,323 households, and 1,558 families residing in the city. The population density
624-496: A local disaster relief center. The FFRF is filling a lawsuit on behalf of four residents against the state of South Carolina to oppose the funding to Christian Learning Centers of Greenville County to build a private religious school, and the FFRF is challenging that it is unconstitutional. In December 2007, the FFRF, on behalf of a group of concerned Green Bay residents and invoking the First Amendment rights of all of
702-549: A meal, and died (the result of diabetes and fatigue) in his sleep that afternoon—just five days after the Scopes trial ended. Dayton is located at 35°30′N 85°1′W (35.493, -85.013). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km ), of which 6.1 square miles (16 km ) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km ) (3.62%) is water. Dayton has
780-564: A new facility in Dayton, adding over 250 new jobs. Dayton is home to Bryan College , a four-year Christian liberal arts school named in honor of William Jennings Bryan , who died in Dayton five days after the Scopes Trial ended. Chattanooga State Community College operates a site in downtown Dayton with a variety of offerings including General Education core for most majors and selected career courses. A Welding Technology course
858-867: A newspaper, Freethought Today , ten times a year. Since 2006, as the Freethought Radio Network, FFRF has produced the Freethought Radio show, an hour-long show broadcast live on WXXM-FM Saturdays at 11 a.m. CDT. It had also been broadcast on Air America before that service ceased operation in March 2010. The show is hosted by the co-presidents of FFRF, Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor . Regular features include "Theocracy Alert" and "Freethinkers Almanac". The latter highlights historic freethinkers, many of whom are also songwriters. The show's intro and outro make use of John Lennon 's Imagine song . Annie Laurie Gaylor , co-president of
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#1732787191464936-608: A prayer at the request of the Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks. Christopher Line, an FFRF attorney, wrote a letter to the Lake County Commission Chairman Kirby Smith stating, "This Christian prayer, delivered because the invocation Mr. Richardson gave was not sufficiently Christian, was discriminatory, unconstitutional, and a slap in the face to all of Lake County's non-Christian citizens. [...] as long as
1014-402: A private group. On December 23, 2009, William J. Kelly, conservative activist and candidate for Illinois Comptroller, attempted to remove a FFRF sign at a Christmas display. The case was dismissed on several grounds, including that the lawsuit ran afoul of the First Amendment prohibition against content-based discrimination and that the plaintiff's rights had not been violated. A plaque with
1092-632: A sign stating "Santa Claus will take you to hell" (among other things), a sign paying homage to the Flying Spaghetti Monster , and many others. The FFRF maintains a sign in the Wisconsin State Capitol during the Christmas season, which reads: At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion
1170-470: A suit against the awarding of a federal grant to MentorKids USA, a group providing mentors to children of prisoners, alleging that only Christian mentors were hired and that they were to give monthly reports on the children's religious activities. In January 2005, the court vacated HHS's funding of this group citing "federal funds have been used by the MentorKids program to advance religion in violation of
1248-447: Is a three-story brick building with Romanesque and Italianate features. It has a broad hip roof with a low hip-roofed tower at one corner of the main facade, and a taller square tower with an open octagonal belfry above a clock on the other. Some windows are set in round-arch openings. The building interior has many original features, including the main courtroom on the second floor, where the Scopes monkey trial took place. The building
1326-549: Is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and Fairview Health Services , stating that state taxpayer funds are helping to fund a faith-based organization. In September 2005, the University agreed to end the partnership and to cease teaching "courses on the intersection of faith and health", with the FFRF agreeing to drop its lawsuit. In April 2005, the FFRF filed a lawsuit against
1404-452: Is also offered as part of the TCAT program. Dayton City School , a K-8 public school, is free for all residents of Dayton. Dayton residents attend Rhea County High School , operated by Rhea County Schools . Rhea Central Elementary School, operated by the county school system and serving people not living in the city, is just outside the city limits. It is the largest K-5 public school in
1482-507: Is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds. In 2013, a natural nativity featuring Charles Darwin , Albert Einstein and Mark Twain as the three wise men, the Statue of Liberty and an astronaut as angels and an African American girl baby doll to represent that "humankind was birthed in Africa" was added. In 2015, the FFRF applied to put a "secular Nativity" scene in
1560-587: Is currently looking for a plaintiff in the area to represent for a suit, which the FFRF have yet to do, citing the difficulty with another case that occurred with another plaintiff in the state, Jessica Ahlquist , in the case Ahlquist v. Cranston . On July 24, 2012, after receiving a letter from the FFRF, the Steubenville, Ohio , city council decided to remove the image of the Christ the King Chapel at
1638-489: Is no need – or legitimate legal reason – for Boise State to provide a chaplain for them." Legal Counsel for the University responded with the following: "We have been in communication with the Athletic Department to provide some education about this issue and to ensure measures are taken now and in the future to resolve the issue and establish appropriate constitutional boundaries. Mr. Thornton did not travel with
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#17327871914641716-414: Is the largest manufacturing employer, followed by Suburban Manufacturing, Robinson Manufacturing, and International Automotive Components Group. Finland-based Nokian Tyres plans to employ around 400 at its new Dayton tire manufacturing factory which began initial operations in 2019. The Tennessee Valley Authority 's Watts Bar and Sequoyah nuclear power plants are both within 20 miles (32 km) of
1794-543: The defense. Scopes was convicted. The Rhea County Courthouse was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1976. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. On October 1, 2005, a statue of William Jennings Bryan was dedicated on the courthouse lawn, funded by a donation from nearby Bryan College . The statue was placed to commemorate
1872-481: The Franciscan University of Steubenville from its town logo. In August 2012, the FFRF, on behalf of a resident, threatened a lawsuit challenging a Latin cross that had been displayed on top of the water tower of Whiteville, Tennessee . After the FFRF wrote three initial letters, but before the lawsuit was filed, the town removed one arm of the cross. The removal cost the town $ 4,000, and as part of
1950-549: The IRS because it lacked standing to challenge the Form 990 exemption that applies to churches. Nonbelief Relief is a humanitarian agency for atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, and their supporters. Nonbelief Relief was created by the executive board of FFRF to remediate conditions of human suffering and injustice on a global scale, whether the result of natural disasters, human actions or adherence to religious dogma. The FFRF publishes
2028-721: The Montana State University-Bozeman and the Montana Faith-Health Cooperative. It was alleged that Young favored faith-based nursing parish programs for state funding. In October 2004, the Federal District Court for the District of Montana held that the state's "direct and preferential funding of inherently and pervasively religious parish nursing programs was undertaken for the impermissible purpose, and has
2106-461: The prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense, and epitomizes the tension between fundamentalism and modernism in a wide range of aspects of American society . The courthouse, now also housing a museum devoted to the trial, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The Rhea County Courthouse stands prominently in the center of Dayton, on the courthouse square bounded by 2nd and 3rd Avenues, Market Street, and Court Street. It
2184-707: The ACLU had sent letters to the school board requesting removal of the display. The school superintendent ordered that the displays of the Ten Commandments be removed. The Giles County school board met in June 2011 and voted to overturn the superintendent's decision to remove the display. After the suit was filed, the school board in 2012 agreed to remove the display and to pay attorneys' fees. In November 2011, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker referred to
2262-473: The Capitol's Christmas tree as a "Christmas tree" instead of a "holiday tree". The FFRF, which opposed prior efforts to restore the name to "Christmas tree" objected to the title. In May 2012, the FFRF, acting on a complaint from a resident, asked the city of Woonsocket, Rhode Island , to remove a Latin cross from a World War I and II memorial on public land. The city refused to do so. The FFRF states that it
2340-604: The Department of Workforce Development's grant to Faith Works constitutes unrestricted, direct funding of an organization that engages in religious indoctrination, I conclude that this funding stream violates the establishment clause." On Appeal, in April 2003, the Seventh Circuit later ruled against the FFRF on the narrower issue of whether prisoners joining specific faith-based programs on their own free will are coerced by government endorsement of religion. The FFRF brought
2418-558: The Establishment Clause". In May 2006, the FFRF filed suit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons alleging that its decision to fund not only multi-faith-based but also single-faith-based programs violated constitutional standards for separation of state and church. The parties later agreed to a dismissal of that claim, but additional counts within the lawsuit, alleging separate violations, continued. In 1995,
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2496-618: The FFRF and the U.S. Department of Education settled the lawsuit, with the Department of Education agreeing not to distribute $ 435,000 of federal funds to the College. A December 2020 article by Hemant Mehta outlined recent FFRF efforts. FFRF argues to limit official role of Pastor Mark Thornton at Boise State . A letter sent by the FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line included: "Boise State football players have no government-imposed burden on their religion, so there
2574-512: The FFRF brought suit, as taxpayers in the state of Wisconsin, against Faith Works located in Milwaukee. Their case stated that a faith-based addiction-treatment program should not be used as a court-ordered treatment program using taxpayer funds. In January 2002, the ruling was decided in the FFRF's favor; that receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in public money is in violation of the Establishment Clause. The judge wrote "Because I find that
2652-435: The FFRF sued the state of Wisconsin for designating Good Friday as a state legal holiday. In 1996, the federal district court ruled that Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday was indeed a First Amendment violation because, in reference to Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday law, the "promotion of Christianity is the primary purpose of the law." FFRF opposed the city of Versailles, Kentucky helping a church get federal funding to create
2730-638: The FFRF, is the author of the nonfiction book on clergy child sexual abuse scandals Betrayal of Trust: Clergy Abuse of Children (out of print) and the editor of Women Without Superstition: No Gods – No Masters and the anthology Woe to the Women . She edited the FFRF newspaper Freethought Today until July 2008. Her husband, Dan Barker , author of Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist , Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists , The Good Atheist: Living
2808-689: The First Amendment. The suit "contended that the defendant officials violated the Establishment Clause by organizing national and regional conferences at which faith-based organizations allegedly 'are singled out as being particularly worthy of federal funding because of their religious orientation, and the belief in God is extolled as distinguishing the claimed effectiveness of faith-based social services. ' " The FFRF also alleged that "the defendant officials 'engage in myriad activities, such as making public appearances and giving speeches, throughout
2886-463: The Plaintiffs have won a concrete victory that changes the circumstances on the ground." In 2011, in response to the refusal of the city of Warren, Michigan, to remove a nativity display in the civic center, the FFRF sought to place a winter solstice display. The mayor refused the request and the FFRF brought suit. The suit was dismissed by Judge Zatkoff of the U.S. District Court; the dismissal
2964-655: The Texas State Capitol. The scene featured the Bill of Rights, three Founding Fathers, and the Statue of Liberty and a sign that wished everyone a "Happy Winter Solstice". The then governor of Texas, Greg Abbott , demanded it be removed. Following a series of legal challenges, in 2018, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that FFRF's rights were violated. The Court also vacated
3042-567: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued its decision, concluding that the federal tax code provision that treats church-provided housing allowances to ministers as income tax-free must stand. In November 2012, the FFRF filed a lawsuit against the IRS for not enforcing its own electioneering laws. The FFRF cited in its suit the placement of full-page ads by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association;
3120-621: The U.S. Department of Education because of its distribution of funds to the Alaska Christian College , a Bible college run by the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. The foundation stated that in the students' first year at the college, they take only religious-based courses, and finish that year with a Certificate of Biblical Studies. The college, the foundation says, "does not offer traditional college courses, such as math or English". In October 2005
3198-653: The U.S. government. In April 2011, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the FFRF's challenge to the NDoP, holding that the FFRF did not have standing to challenge the NDoP statute or proclamations and that only the President was injured enough to challenge the NDoP statute. The FFRF, in January 2013, after receiving a complaint from a resident, asked the city council of Rapid City, South Dakota , to eliminate its practice of beginning each city council meeting with
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3276-563: The United States, intended to promote and advocate for funding for faith-based organizations." The FFRF further asserted, "Congressional appropriations [are] used to support the activities of the defendants." In 2007 the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that taxpayers do not have the right to challenge the constitutionality of expenditures made by the executive branch. In May 2007, the FFRF, on behalf of Indiana taxpayers, challenged
3354-404: The average family size was 2.95. In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.5% under the age of 18, 16.0% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males. The median income for a household in
3432-508: The board continues to allow citizens to deliver invocations to begin its meetings, it must treat all invocations the same, with no ‘corrective’ Christian prayer offered after a non-Christian prayer has finished." Sean Parks stated that he was, "saddened to hear that Mr. Richardson felt he was mistreated during the invocation" and "We would welcome them [the Central FL Freethought Community] back if they wish to lead
3510-542: The books until 1967, when it was repealed by the Tennessee Legislature . H. L. Mencken famously covered the trial for the Baltimore Sun and recruited Clarence Darrow to lead the defense team. Immediately after the trial, Bryan continued to edit and deliver speeches, traveling hundreds of miles that week. On July 26, 1925, he drove from Chattanooga to Dayton to attend a church service, ate
3588-478: The city and extends south to Graysville . Dayton was the site of the Scopes Trial in 1925 dealing with the rejection of evolution by religious groups . The community was originally settled circa 1820 as Smith's Crossroads . In 1877, the town was renamed Dayton , after Dayton, Ohio . The town was incorporated in 1903. Early industry included manufacture of pig iron. In 1925, the famous Scopes Trial
3666-490: The city was $ 23,870, and the median income for a family was $ 32,149. Males had a median income of $ 28.765 versus $ 20,144 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 12,946. About 13.4% of families and 32.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over. Dayton is a small manufacturing center whose products include furniture, clothing, automobile parts, and recreational vehicle components. La-Z-Boy
3744-435: The city's residents, sued the city because of the placement of a nativity scene at Green Bay's city hall. Before the case was heard, the city removed the nativity scene. The judge then dismissed the suit, citing lack of jurisdiction. Since the nativity scene already was removed and a moratorium imposed on future such displays, there remained no basis for continued dispute. He went on to say, " the plaintiffs have already won . ...
3822-611: The city. Since the late 1990s the area has experienced increased residential development particularly along Chickamauga Lake , an impoundment of the Tennessee River . More recently, Dayton has hosted several major bass fishing tournaments at Chickamauga Lake including the 2014 Bassmaster BASSfest , American Bass Anglers Weekend Series, Heartland Anglers Classic, the 2013 Walmart FLW Tour and various senior, collegiate and high school events. In 2019, STULZ Air Technology Systems, an HVAC and cooling solutions manufacturer, opened
3900-565: The courtroom. In front of the courthouse stands a commemorative plaque erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission: 2B 23 THE SCOPES TRIAL Here, from July 10 to 21, 1925, John Thomas Scopes, a county high school teacher, was tried for teaching that a man descended from a lower order of animals in violation of a lately passed state law. William Jennings Bryan assisted the prosecution; Clarence Darrow, Arthur Garfield Hays, and Dudley Field Malone
3978-572: The creation of a chaplaincy pilot program for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The FSSA hired Pastor Michael L. Latham, a Baptist minister, in 2006, at a salary of $ 60,000 a year. In September 2007, in response to the FFRF's suit, Indiana ended the program. In April 2003, the FFRF, on behalf of Montana residents, sued the Montana Office of Rural Health and its executive director David M. Young along with
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#17327871914644056-522: The decision. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected FFRF's arguments and upheld the memorial. In 2012, the FFRF wrote several letters to Prudhommes Restaurant, in Columbia, Pennsylvania , explaining that offering a 10% discount to Sunday patrons who present a church bulletin is a violation of state and federal law, specifically the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . The individual who brought
4134-460: The diocese requiring priests to read a statement urging Catholics to vote; and the institution of "Pulpit Freedom Sunday". The group claimed that not enforcing the federal tax codes that prohibit tax-exempt religious organizations from electioneering is a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution. The group stated that the increasing involvement of religious institutions in politics
4212-700: The elementary schools. In June 2004, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district judgment holding that it was unconstitutional for the school district to "teach the Bible as literal truth" to students, including first graders. In March 2005, the FFRF filed suit against the University of Minnesota because of its involvement with the Minnesota Faith Health Consortium, a partnership with Luther Seminary , which
4290-578: The football team to our recent game in Wyoming and the university will no longer include a chaplain in its travel party. Written references to Mr. Thornton as the chaplain of the football team have been or are in the process of being removed and no future references will be made in writing or otherwise." Mehta continues: "None of that means students can't seek Thornton out on their own. They’ve always been free to do that. But Thornton can't – and shouldn't – have any sort of official role there." In October 2000,
4368-400: The impermissible effect, of favoring and advancing the integration of religion into the provision of secular health care services." According to the court, the state funding of faith-based healthcare violated the First Amendment. In April 2006, the FFRF sued to challenge the pervasive integration of "spirituality" into health care by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Specifically stating that
4446-788: The invocation in the future." In 2022, the FFRF released a joint report together with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty on Christian nationalism 's role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack . The FFRF filed suit against the IRS over the parish exemption that allows "ministers of the gospel" to claim part of their salary as an income-tax-free housing allowance. This was originally filed in 2009, in California, then subsequently dropped and re-filed in 2011, in Wisconsin, because of standing. In August 2012,
4524-600: The matter to the FFRF's attention has filed a discrimination complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The FFRF was only involved in an advisory capacity. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission entered a final order allowing the restaurant to continue the church bulletin discount. A lighted cross in a public park in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was removed by the borough in 2018 after complaints from FFRF. Not far from
4602-469: The park a solar-powered 28-foot cross was erected by a local resident on his own property. In October 2008, the FFRF filed suit against the U.S. government over the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer (NDoP). In 2010, Federal judge Barbara Brandriff Crabb ruled it unconstitutional as it is "an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function". This ruling was appealed by
4680-406: The parties reached an agreement. In December 2012, the FFRF filed suit against the IRS for not requiring the yearly filing of a 990 Form for religious institutions, which is required for all other non-profit organizations. The case, FFRF v. Werfel , was dismissed for lack of standing. In December 2013, the FFRF was permitted to hang a banner at the capitol after a nativity scene was placed by
4758-530: The permit until 2010. When the Service declined to renew, the Knights declined to remove the statue citing "tradition" and the "historical" value of the statue. After on-line protests the statue was allowed to stay and the permit granted. The FFRF filed suit in February 2012. In June 2013, a federal judge found in favor of the defendants, allowing the statue to remain. In August 2013, the FFRF filed an appeal of
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#17327871914644836-404: The population. There were 2,323 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no male present, and 32.9% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and
4914-627: The practice of asking patients about their religion in spiritual assessments, the use of chaplains to treat patients, and drug and alcohol treatment programs that incorporate religion violated the separation of state and church. The case was later dismissed after the Hein decision because of lack of standing. In 2001, the FFRF, on behalf of anonymous plaintiffs, sued the Rhea County School District . The plaintiffs alleged that weekly bible classes were being held for all students in
4992-629: The same text as the Wisconsin State Capitol sign was displayed for the 2008 Christmas season at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington , next to a nativity scene . The sign was stolen and then later found and returned to the state capitol. The addition of the sign incited a large number of individuals and groups to request other additions, such as a Festivus pole, a request by the Westboro Baptist Church for
5070-504: The school's 75th anniversary. On July 14, 2017, a statue of Clarence Darrow was unveiled near Bryan's statue, funded by a donation from the Freedom From Religion Foundation . Dayton, Tennessee Dayton is a city in and the county seat of Rhea County, Tennessee , United States. As of the 2020 census , the city population was 7,065. The Dayton Urban Cluster includes developed areas adjacent to
5148-406: The second-floor courtroom to the way it looked during the Scopes trial was completed in 1979. The Rhea County Museum , also called the Scopes Trial Museum , is located in the courthouse basement and contains such memorabilia as the microphone used to broadcast the trial, trial records, photographs, and an audiovisual history of the trial. Every July local people re-enact key moments of the trial in
5226-484: The separation of church and state, and challenges the legitimacy of many federal and state programs that are faith-based. It supports groups such as nonreligious students and clergy who want to leave their faith. The FFRF was co-founded by Anne Nicol Gaylor and her daughter, Annie Laurie Gaylor , in 1976 and was incorporated nationally on April 15, 1978, who split with Madalyn Murray O'Hair ’s American Atheists , in response to O’Hair’s antisemitism . The organization
5304-465: The settlement the town paid $ 20,000 in the FFRF's attorneys fees. The town also agreed never to replace the missing arm and not to place other crosses on public property. In August 2012, the FFRF, on behalf of a Montana resident, sued the United States Forest Service. A special use permit for the placement of a statue of Jesus on federal land was granted in 1954 at the request of the Knights of Columbus . The Forest Service continued to grant renewals of
5382-413: The state's Butler Act banned the teaching of biological evolution in public schools, science teacher John T. Scopes was arrested and charged with violating the act. The state was represented by renowned orator and fundamentalist Christian icon William Jennings Bryan, and Scopes was defended by an ACLU -funded team headed by noted criminal defense lawyer Clarence Darrow. Although Scopes was convicted in
5460-444: The state. Graysville Elementary School in Graysville also has a Dayton postal address. Omega Graduate School , an institution of Christian postgraduate education, is located in Dayton's Crystal Springs community. Freedom From Religion Foundation The Freedom From Religion Foundation ( FFRF ) is an American nonprofit organization that advocates for atheists , agnostics , and nontheists . Formed in 1976, FFRF promotes
5538-422: The verdict on this controversial issue. Although this trial is often represented as being pivotal in the movement to allow evolution to be taught in American schools, it actually marked the beginning of a major decline in the teaching of evolution which did not start to recover until the early 1960s. Likewise, the Butler Act , which Scopes was supposed to have violated—though it was never invoked again—remained on
5616-519: Was "blatantly and deliberately flaunting the electioneering restrictions". The IRS had filed a motion to dismiss in federal court, but in August 2013 it was decided that the lawsuit could proceed stating that the FFRF "has standing to seek an order requiring the IRS to treat religious organizations no more favorably than it treats the Foundation". In 2014, the federal judge dismissed the lawsuit after
5694-407: Was 1,007.9 inhabitants per square mile (389.2/km ). There were 2,492 housing units at an average density of 406.4 units per square mile (156.9 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White , 5.3% African American , 0.2% Native American , 0.7% Asian , <0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.8% from other races , and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of
5772-449: Was a local science teacher who was recruited by George Rappleyea to begin to teach evolution in his science class, and at the provocation of the ACLU ( American Civil Liberties Union ), despite it being against Tennessee law at that time. Rappleyea believed that this conflict would create an enormous amount of publicity for the town, and he was proven correct. The town bustled with activity as people began to flock from near and far to hear
5850-415: Was constructed in 1890-91, after Dayton was named the county seat, replacing Washington . It was designed by W. Chamberlain and Co., architects from Knoxville, Tennessee , and was built by contractors from Chattanooga . In July 1925, the courthouse was the scene of one of the mostly widely reported trials of the 1920s, the Scopes trial. Essentially cooked up as a publicity stunt by locals after passage of
5928-403: Was held in Dayton and, for a period of time, filled the town with hucksters of every description and journalists from around the world. The participants included William Jennings Bryan in the role of prosecutor and Clarence Darrow as the principal defense counsel. The trial was over the issue of whether evolution should be taught in public schools. John T. Scopes , the defendant in the trial,
6006-598: Was supported by over 19,000 members in 2012 and operated from an 1855-era building in Madison, Wisconsin , that once served as a church rectory. In March 2011, FFRF, along with the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science , began The Clergy Project , a confidential on-line community that supports clergy as they leave their faith. In 2012, it gave its first Freedom From Religion Foundation and Clergy Project "Hardship Grant" to Jerry DeWitt ,
6084-614: Was upheld by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court in 2013. In September 2011, the FFRF, along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sued the Giles County, Virginia , school district on behalf of anonymous plaintiffs. A display of the Ten Commandments had been placed beside a copy of the U.S. Constitution at Giles County public schools. Prior to the suit, in January and June 2011, the FFRF and
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