Dear Friend,
We alerted you last Friday to an appalling abuse of federal power by Federal Reserve bank examiners, who told the employees of the Payne County Bank in Perkins, Oklahoma, that they were no longer going to be permitted to wear American Family Association Christmas buttons in their privately-owned bank.
The employee-owned bank had purchased AFA's Christmas buttons, which say "Merry Christmas - God with us," for tellers to wear proudly and to give to interested customers. They had proved very popular with the bank's clients.
The bank was also told that it would to have to remove the daily Bible verse from its website, and that tellers would no longer be able to display picture frames with crosses on them or items inscribed with Bible verses. Examiners promised to file a complaint with the Department of Justice if the bank did not comply.
We asked you to contact the regional office of the Federal Reserve to oppose this violation of the constitutional rights to freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion on the part of bank personnel.
You responded and your voice was heard! The Federal Reserve backed off its ban on Christmas buttons and Christian symbols by early Friday afternoon. AFA received word late in the day that the issue has been permanently resolved in the bank's favor.
Employees are again wearing our buttons, Bible verses are back up on the website, and crosses and Bible verses are back on display on teller counters.
AFA will remain vigilant in standing up for righteousness and defending our values. I invite you to watch this exciting video that shows just what kind of impact you and your AFA has had on our culture this year. I think you will be proud of what we have accomplished together. Watch the video here.
Merry Christmas from all of us at the American Family Association!
