After Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal overturned a removal of Bibles in the state park cabins, the group American Atheists announced Friday that it intends to send the state atheist material to be placed alongside each Bible.
The group said it intends to provide the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with literature like “Why I Am Not A Muslim” by Ibn Warraq; “Why I Am An Atheist” by Madalyn Murray O’Hair; “god is not Great” by Christopher Hitchens; and “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins.
The group first filed a complaint about Bibles in the bedside tables of state-managed cabins in state parks at the end of April. After the president of American Atheists reportedly found nine Bibles in his cabin, he asked that they be removed under the separation of church and state.
The Georgia DNR complied, but Deal passed an executive order to have the Bibles put back, saying that he does “not believe that a Bible in a bedside table drawer constitutes a state establishment of religion.”
He said that other religions and belief systems may donate their literature to be put in the cabins with the Bibles if they so desire.
Amanda Knief, managing director of the American Atheists said, “We appreciate the governor’s invitation to place atheist books in the cabins and look forward to providing visitors with the opportunity to learn more about atheism when they visit Georgia’s beautiful state parks.”