Reid Gets Attention for Calling Atheist Group Terrorists

Loudoun has again managed to make its decisions regarding courthouse lawn holiday displays a hot topic this year.

The county has for several years debated what types of displays would be permitted and how individuals or groups could apply to create the displays. The long tradition had been for a local group to place a nativity scene at the Loudoun County Courthouse in Leesburg, but in recent years, that arrangement has been questioned as the state potentially sanctioning religion.

At one point, unattended holiday displays were permitted on a limited number of spaces at the courthouse by application. The resulting so Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors assigned a committee to make recommendations on the display shortly after taking office in 2012. They voted in February to restrict unattended displays. In July, they approved a county-sponsored, taxpayer-funded Christmas tree, menorah, nativity scene and Santa Claus

As this holiday season rolled around, opponents of that decision have been critical – most notably, Supervisor Ken Reid, who called an atheist group terrorists in a recent Washington Times article.

A Washington Post blog and local media organizations picked up the story, along with the Huffington Post. Reid later apologized for the remarks.

Patch received letters to the editor this weekend about the controversy. One letter criticized Reid for his comments, while the other criticized the atheist group involved in the controversy.

What should the county do about the holiday displays? How do you feel about the attention the issue has brought to Loudoun?