Local Fair Extends Promotion To Atheists
Group Protests $2 Church Promotion
POSTED: 4:24 pm CDT August 14,
2008
UPDATED: 11:41 pm CDT August 14,
2008
LEBANON, Tenn. -- A discount offer at the Wilson County Fair has caught the eye of atheists all over the country.
Video: Atheists Object To Wilson County Fair PromotionThe fair offered a $2 discount on Sunday to anyone who brings a church bulletin to the fairgrounds on Sunday. However, the American Atheists organization demanded that fair organizers remove the discount or add atheism to the promotion.Herbert Roberts of the American Atheists wrote the following e-mail to the fair:"Please either remove the $2 discount, or make it available for anyone who brings something that shows their beliefs, whether they be in a God or lack thereof."The fair board, after consulting with a lawyer, decided it does not want any controversy and extended its offer to athiests as well."Anyone who brings a dated piece of printed material from their faith or non-belief (is eligible for the discount)," said Hale Moss of the Wilson County Fair.The fair runs from Aug. 15 to 23.This year the fair will feature a new livestock arena and a new exotic animal exhibit.Adult admission is $7, children can get in for $6, and those 5 and younger are admitted free. The Channel 4 Pinpoint Weather team will conduct a "Surviving the Storm" live event at the fair on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., which will be filled with valuable life-saving information related to severe weather.Last year, 366,000 people attended the Wilson County Fair.
Video: Atheists Object To Wilson County Fair PromotionThe fair offered a $2 discount on Sunday to anyone who brings a church bulletin to the fairgrounds on Sunday. However, the American Atheists organization demanded that fair organizers remove the discount or add atheism to the promotion.Herbert Roberts of the American Atheists wrote the following e-mail to the fair:"Please either remove the $2 discount, or make it available for anyone who brings something that shows their beliefs, whether they be in a God or lack thereof."The fair board, after consulting with a lawyer, decided it does not want any controversy and extended its offer to athiests as well."Anyone who brings a dated piece of printed material from their faith or non-belief (is eligible for the discount)," said Hale Moss of the Wilson County Fair.The fair runs from Aug. 15 to 23.This year the fair will feature a new livestock arena and a new exotic animal exhibit.Adult admission is $7, children can get in for $6, and those 5 and younger are admitted free. The Channel 4 Pinpoint Weather team will conduct a "Surviving the Storm" live event at the fair on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., which will be filled with valuable life-saving information related to severe weather.Last year, 366,000 people attended the Wilson County Fair.Copyright 2009 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
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