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Atheist Monument.

Atheist Monument

Field review by the editors.

Starke, Florida

Supposedly the first atheist monument allowed on government property in the United States. It's a gray granite bench inscribed with the American Atheists atom-age logo, and stands in front of the county courthouse. At one end of the bench is a small pillar inscribed with atheistic quotes from Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, and a list of Old Testament punishments -- including death and stoning -- for breaking the Ten Commandments.

Speaking of the Ten Cs, they're only a few feet away -- in the form of a more imposing monument made of upright slabs of black granite. It was the placement of this monument that prompted the Atheists to legally challenge it, and they were told that the front of the courthouse was a "free speech zone" where they could have a monument, too. So they made one, and it was unveiled on June 29, 2013.

Atheist Monument.

During its dedication someone drove by and threw a toilet seat at the crowd.

Atheist Monument

Address:
945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL
Directions:
In front of the Bradford County Courthouse. North side of town. On the west side of US Hwy 301/N. Temple Ave., two blocks north of Hwy 16/W. Weldon St.
Admission:
Free
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Brahman Bull StatueBrahman Bull Statue, Starke, FL - < 1 mi.
Big Golf Ball OrangeBig Golf Ball Orange, Starke, FL - 2 mi.
Purple RoosterPurple Rooster, Starke, FL - 2 mi.
In the region:
Castle Otttis, St. Augustine, FL - 48 mi.

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