In an editorial posted on TCPalm.com this afternoon, Vero Beach Mayor Craig Fletcher reportedly stood by his statement of last Tuesday indicating he would not support proclamations for organizations whose members do not “believe Jesus Christ is their savior.”
Read More:
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/jun/10/editorial-religious-intolerance-has-no-place-in/
Indian River Guardian 
Craig Fletcher is certainly within his rights to be a “bible-thumping Baptist” in his personal life. He, however, should not display such attributes as an elected official in local government. Also, he needs to be aware that he represents a minority in this community because there are probably more Jewish citizens, Buddists, Atheists, and Agnostics in Vero Beach than there are “bible thumping Baptists.”
Vicky Gould – “In an interview Monday, Fletcher said he opposed the proclamation because he does not believe government should “anoint” any particular religious group over any other group and said a proclamation would imply support for that group.”
Did Mr. Fletcher not “anoint” the Christians by his comments? Has he not welcomed other Christian groups by supporting their proclamations? And I’d like to ask Tracy Carroll what exactly is wrong with being an atheist.
I believe Fletcher and Carroll are entitled to their opinions, but feel strongly that they should not make the dais their own personal pulpit. I had hoped to see some contrition on their part, but apparently that is not forthcoming. Which leads me to believe that I can’t support people who have open disdain for others whose religious views they do not support. Theirs is Dark Ages thinking and I’m incensed about it.
Matt 10: 32 Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
As believers in God’s Word, this scripture puts Fletcher and Carroll in a precarious position. Clearly they believe it and it is gratifying to see that they have the fortitude to live by it. What is not gratifying is that, as an experienced government official, Fletcher should have seen this painfully obvious pitfall coming and better prepared his statements. Fletcher clearly misspoke his objection.
The United States is “One Nation Under God.” Our currency states flatly, “In God We Trust.” No ambiguity. No question. We are a nation under one God which both tolerates and opens for debate all opposing opinions. It is not obliged to espouse them.
Fletcher and Carroll were faced with a proclamation that the COVB was potentially honoring the proposition that there is no God. If the argument was clearly framed to honor the humanists right to their opinion it should have prevailed If the opinion insinuating that there is no God was seeking affirmation, it should rightly fail. That is the word of our country’s fathers. That is the Word of God.
Vic, have you read the Humanist Recognition Week proclamation? ( http://insidevero.com/2013/06/07/the-proclamation-carroll-and-fletcher-refused-to-support/ ) It is not atheist in tone, though it does affirm the importance of protecting the integrity of the scientific method. Every good, “Bible-thumping” Christian who has ever checked themselves into a hospital has benefited from the scientific method.