Today, a couple who worked and lived at Thornwood Terrace Apartments in Lake City, Florida, a government-subsidized facility, is filing suit in federal court after they were terminated and evicted for displaying in their office artwork referencing a Scripture verse. Daniel Dixon was manager and lead maintenance technician at the apartment complex where he lived with his wife, Sharon, who was also a manager. Liberty Counsel represents the couple.  

The companies that own and manage the apartment complex are required to comply with federal employment and housing anti-discrimination laws because the apartment contains government-subsidized units.

For at least eight years before they were fired and evicted, the Dixons had a 50"x26" piece of stained-glass artwork featuring flowers hanging on the wall in the management office where they worked. On the glass was a partial scripture verse in 1-1/4 inch letters that read: "Consider the Lilies...Matthew 6:28."

In September 2007, Christina Saunders, regional manager for Hallmark, asked Sharon if the words on the artwork referred to Scripture. After Sharon said they did, Sanders told her to remove the artwork. Sharon replied that she needed to discuss it with her co-manager husband, Daniel, and left the office to find him. While Sharon was gone, Sanders consulted her supervisor, Norine Lewis, and then took the artwork and put it inside of Daniel and Sharon’s apartment. When Sharon returned, Sanders said that Sharon and Daniel were "too religious." She fired them and demanded they vacate their apartment within 72 hours.

The Dixons were granted unemployment compensation, over the objection of Hallmark, because Hallmark did not substantiate its claims of misconduct by the Dixons.

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Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, and Religion

Anyone interested in religious freedom should read this fascinating book by historian David Barton. This book is filled with hundreds of the Founders' quotes revealing their beliefs on the role of religion in public affairs, the proper role of the courts, the intended limited scope of federal powers, states' rights, and numerous other issues.

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Liberty Counsel does not charge clients for representation, so we depend on individuals, groups and churches that care about advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family. Liberty Counsel is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that accepts tax-deductible donations. Donate or order resources from the Liberty Counsel online store.

Liberty Counsel is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.