Press Release
Press Release
Mayor Officially Exorcises Satan from Florida Town
Contact Information
Tony Hileman, Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Washington, DC - December 3, 2001) Carolyn Risher, the mayor of Inglis, Florida, signed and sealed an official government proclamation banishing Satan from the town of Inglis and placed copies in hollowed out posts at entrances to the town. This method of banishing "evil" harkens back to the days of burning effigies of enemies, placing fetishes in homes, building bonfires to ward off demons, and other practices popular in the Dark Ages.
In addition to noting her elective right to take the "town back for the Kingdom of God," mayor Risher mentions that she was "appointed by God to this position of leadership." Risher was very thorough in her banishment of evil from the town, commanding "all satanic and demonic forces to cease their activities and depart the town of Inglis."
This proclamation raises many questions. When Risher declared that Satan was "powerless, no longer ruling over, nor influencing, our citizens" did she believe that excluded Inglis from animosity, hate , crime, and confusion? Will she next announce the dismantling of local police and emergency services? Humanists in Inglis will await their tax refunds.
Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, Tony Hileman, feels slighted by Risher's recent comment defending her proclamation "You're either with God or against Him." "Such a statement," Hileman says, "does not respect the rights of the 30 million Americans, some of whom reside in Inglis, who do not identify with a particular religion. After all, Humanists and others who do not believe in a higher power are neither with God nor against Him or Her."
Pastor Richard Moore tried to defend Risher with his comment in the St. Petersburg Times: "As an elected leader of this community, she was stepping out as a Christian." Moore's words highlight the seriousness of this bizarre proclamation, showing clearly that Risher was inappropriately using her public office to further her private belief. This is precisely the kind of governmental entanglement in religion forbidden by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity.
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