When reading the following release from the Alliance Defence Fund, the old proverb “There is no Honor among Thieves” comes to mind. Apparently Honor, as in honoring a contract, is a wholly religions concept- which both these Atheists and the City of Detroit are woefully lacking.

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a motion Monday in federal court to intervene on behalf of an inner-city Detroit church hung out to dry due to the actions of the American Atheists.

The city had asked the church and other downtown establishments to alter the appearance of their properties to improve the city’s image for the upcoming Super Bowl in exchange for being reimbursed for half the expense. But because the atheist group has now sued the city, the city has been forced to withhold reimbursement from the church, even though the church has already secured a loan for and completed the requested improvements.

What a sad, sad state of affairs. I am more disapointed in Detroit that I am in the Atheists, however. We can expect Atheist to do what they have always complained that we Christions do - push there religious views on others. The city of Detroit however, has no excuse. This is not about establishment, it is about landscaping. The church took specific steps to beautify its exterior as requested by the city, and now the city has been scared into not living up to its end of the deal. The activites of the city of Detroit are deplorable, dishonest, and callous. The Atheists are just being atheists.

In January, St. John’s Episcopal Church entered into a contract with the City of Detroit Development Authority to “enhance the visual appearance of street facing building facades and parking lot edges, prevent blight, attract businesses, and complement infrastructure.” The contract provided that the DDA would reimburse the church for 50 percent of the expenditures–up to $180,000–for the improvements.

After the church borrowed $180,000 to complete the improvements, they submitted the documents required for payment to the DDA, which, under the terms of the contract, was to reimburse the church within 30 days. American Atheists filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that the city violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution by entering into the contract with the church.

This is the part that I cannot fathom. What dose “enhancing the visual appearance” have to do with the Establishment clause? The City of Detroit is taking steps to beautify its city and nothing more. If my last trip to Detroit is a far reference, the city needs some enhancing of its visual appearance. This is a frivolous lawsuit, and shame on Detroit for not seeing that. Further shame on Detroit for not standing by its commitments. Any fall-out of this lawsuit should for the city alone, and dose not change the city’s contract and commitment to local business.