Voices of Sandpoint

Political Issues

Yesterday hundreds gathered at Farmin Park in Sandpoint Idaho to protect the 10 commandments.  

The four-foot monument at the park's edge was considered "to cause distress and divisiveness" according to Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Patrick Elliot.  After several supposed complaints, the Freedom From Religion Foundation decided to write a letter to the city of Sandpoint asking for it's removal.  Word spread to residents through Facebook and eventually to the local newspaper that the display was going to be removed Thursday, March 13th. Through the small town grape-vine a protest/petition was set up for 2:00. 


Half an hour before the appointed time my brothers and I showed up.  There were already a handful of people.  We started to take photos and film the gathering crowd.  Soon the local media  arrived.  Many protesters we talked to were there because they felt it was unethical to remove the display without a city meeting.  Others felt that the display was under attack because of it's controversial Christian connotation. 

By 2:00 hundreds had gathered.  The people had spoken.  
The city of Sandpoint, along with the Fraternal Order of the Eagles who donated the monument in the 1970's do not wish to see the display removed, but they also would like to avoid potential lawsuits.  The City Council will now hold a meeting to discuss alternatives on March 19th.

   Is this really a big issue?  Slowly and steadily this anti-Christian mindset displayed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation is bombarding our world today as we know it.  From all sides Christianity is under attack.  As individuals our voice is weak compared to groups such as Freedom From Religion, but together we can be heard.  Of course, this is just a small monument in a tiny town in Northern Idaho.  But, so far, America's heritage is besieged in small areas in subtle ways; chipped away, little bits at a time. Will our heritage crumble without protest? At least not in Sandpoint, Idaho.  In unity we can be heard.  Our voice, together, can make a difference.   

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