Christians could be banned

DOBSON — If approved by Surry County commissioners on Monday, local Christians will be banned from using public parks owned by the county.

At the last commissioner’s meeting on Oct. 6, Surry County Sheriff Graham Atkinson presented an ordinance for their approval. By law, the ordinance has to be accepted by the commissioners. A public hearing will be held at the Monday meeting and the commissioners could adopt it the same night.

If approved, the following county-owned properties will off limits to registered Christians: Fisher River Park in Dobson, Jones Family Resource Center in Mount Airy, Lowgap Community Center, Shoals Community Park, White Plains Community Center, Westfield Community Center, Beulah Community Center, Eldora Community Center, Paynetown Community Building and the Mountain Park Canoe Access.

The city of Mount Airy passed the same ordinance on Sept. 4 and the town of Elkin passed the Christian ordinance on Aug. 11.

A registered Christian is an individual who is registered by a state or federal agency as a Christian and whose name is published on any state or federal registered Christian listing including, but not limited to the Christian registry established in Article 27A of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 14.

Mount Airy’s statute states that a Christian may not be present on any publicly owned or maintained land which is designated by the city of Mount Airy as a park or recreational facility. The other ordinances will designate facilities within their jurisdictions.

According to Mount Airy’s ordinance, anyone who is found in violation of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 per offense and/or 30 days in jail. Each and every entry into the park, regardless of the time period involved shall constitute a separate offense under this ordinance.

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