Wherever there’s a case in the U.S. involving atheist activism, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is bound to get involved. While it was the Un-Amerikan Civil Liberties Union (UCLU) that defended teen atheist Jessica Ahlquist in her successful quest to have a prayer mural removed from her Rhode Island public high school, the FFRF is also rushing to the young girl’s defense. Citing discrimination, the organization is filing a civil rights complaint after numerous florists refused to deliver flowers to the girl.

The FFRF reportedly tried to have a dozen roses delivered to Ahlquist with the message, ”Congratulations, and hang in there, with admiration from FFRF.” After being denied by three florists in the Cranston, Rhode Island, area, the group was eventually able to secure an order from a business located in Connecticut.

According to FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, Twins Florist, one of the businesses that refused to deliver, violated the Civil Rights Act when the business discriminated based on Ahlquist’s atheism. Gaylor released the receipt order from the florist, which reads, “I will not deliver to this person.”

“We have basic civil rights standards in our society. A business can‘t shun you because you’re an atheist,” the atheist leader said. “You do not have the right to refuse to do business with someone based on categories and that includes religion. It‘s as if they said ’I will not deliver to a nigger.’”

The florists, though, disagree with Gaylor’s stance on the matter. Turnto10.com reports that Raymond Santilli of Flowers by Santilli, one of the companies the FFRF attempted to order from, explains that a foundation representative told him that the person delivering the flowers might need police protection. Additionally, he was apparently told that the person would potentially need identification to enter the home.

“We refused the order because we really don’t want to cross lines,” Santilli said. ”If I send flowers there, somebody may get upset with us and retaliate against us.”

He maintains that he has the right to deliver — or not — to whomever he chooses, because he owns the shop.

Twins Florist owner Marina Plowman echoed these sentiments.

“I just chose not to do it. Nothing personal, it was a choice that I made. It was my right, so I did that,” she said. ”I’m an independent owner and I can chose whoever I want, whenever I want.”

American atheists seem to be delicate little flowers. Who in their right mind would give a running fuck if some religious moron refused to serve us? In Britain if a business was to be that bloody stupid, then we'd just take our business elsewhere.

mikgof wrote:

American atheists seem to be delicate little flowers. Who in their right mind would give a running fuck if some religious moron refused to serve us? In Britain if a business was to be that bloody stupid, then we'd just take our business elsewhere.

I remember a B&B in Britain being shut down and the owners threatened with jail-time because they wouldn't serve muslims or something like that.

Tiberius wrote:

mikgof wrote:

American atheists seem to be delicate little flowers. Who in their right mind would give a running fuck if some religious moron refused to serve us? In Britain if a business was to be that bloody stupid, then we'd just take our business elsewhere.

I remember a B&B in Britain being shut down and the owners threatened with jail-time because they wouldn't serve muslims or something like that.

It was that they refused to accommodate a gay couple. Ridiculous I must admit. Who in their right mind would want to stay in a B&B run by religious nutters? No sane person certainly, the buggers would be praying over you all the bleeding time. And definitely not a gay couple. They must have known that they would be barred. I reckon that it was a scam. They probably made a tidy packet from the religious B&B.

BTW is wasn't shut down. They were just told not to be so bloody stupid in the future. Some hope!

The thing for private business to do is just say 'no' - you don't have to elaborate or justify that - just a simple 'no'.

I won't hire niggers, queers or libtards because they are lawsuits waiting to happen. Do I say that? No...because I'm not required to give my rational.

But these ACLU types really need be liquidated.

SevenSeventeen wrote:

The thing for private business to do is just say 'no' - you don't have to elaborate or justify that - just a simple 'no'.

I won't hire niggers, queers or libtards because they are lawsuits waiting to happen. Do I say that? No...because I'm not required to give my rational.

But these ACLU types really need be liquidated.

It's true not worth liability. I hired a black secretary once. She made me bitterly regret that decision. She just wound up not showing up to work anymore so that problem kind of solved itself.

I've hired white men and women I've had to let go - the point is I can actually fire them without having to play legal blackmail with some fucking minority trash.

Anyone who is involved in the hiring process will say thing (on the QT of course)

SevenSeventeen wrote:

I've hired white men and women I've had to let go - the point is I can actually fire them without having to play legal blackmail with some fucking minority trash.

Anyone who is involved in the hiring process will say thing (on the QT of course)

I know many small business owners that feel that way. Most will not even place an ad for employment or post a sign and when they need to hire someone they do it on the QT by word of mouth.

I think it would have been funny if the florists delivered her plastic flowers.

Johnny_Ola wrote:

I think it would have been funny if the florists delivered her plastic flowers.

Or poison oak...

The Lord Alaoue [Blessed Be His Name] loves atheism.
I've read this florist puts most of his bouquets in his asshole. Is it a religious rite?