http://www.americanhumanist.org/press/SatanFL.html

(Washington, DC - December 3, 2001) Carolyn Risher, the mayor of Inglis,
Florida, signed and sealed an official government proclamation banishing
Satan from the town of Inglis and placed copies in hollowed out posts at
entrances to the town. This method of banishing "evil" harkens back to the
days of burning effigies of enemies, placing fetishes in homes, building
bonfires to ward off demons, and other practices popular in the Dark Ages.

In addition to noting her elective right to take the "town back for the
Kingdom of God," mayor Risher mentions that she was "appointed by God to
this position of leadership." Risher was very thorough in her banishment of
evil from the town, commanding "all satanic and demonic forces to cease
their activities and depart the town of Inglis."

This proclamation raises many questions. When Risher declared that Satan was
"powerless, no longer ruling over, nor influencing, our citizens" did she
believe that excluded Inglis from animosity, hate , crime, and confusion?
Will she next announce the dismantling of local police and emergency
services? Humanists in Inglis will await their tax refunds.

Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, Tony Hileman, feels
slighted by Risher's recent comment defending her proclamation "You're
either with God or against Him." "Such a statement," Hileman says, "does not
respect the rights of the 30 million Americans, some of whom reside in
Inglis, who do not identify with a particular religion. After all, Humanists
and others who do not believe in a higher power are neither with God nor
against Him or Her."

Pastor Richard Moore tried to defend Risher with his comment in the St.
Petersburg Times: "As an elected leader of this community, she was stepping
out as a Christian." Moore's words highlight the seriousness of this bizarre
proclamation, showing clearly that Risher was inappropriately using her
public office to further her private belief. This is precisely the kind of
governmental entanglement in religion forbidden by the first amendment to
the U.S. Constitution.

http://www.americanhumanist.org/press/inglisproclamation.html

The following is a proclamation issued by the town of Inglis and carrying
the town seal and logo.
See our press response to this proclamation.

Be it known from this day forward that Satan, ruler of darkness, giver of
evil, destroyer of what is good and just, is not now, nor ever again will
be, a part of this town of Inglis. Satan is hereby declared powerless, no
longer ruling over, nor influencing, our citizens.

In the past, Satan has caused division, animosity, hate, confusion, ungodly
acts on our youth, and discord among our friends and loved ones. NO LONGER!

The body of Jesus Christ, those citizens cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb,
hereby join together to bind the forces of evil in the Holy Name of Jesus.
We have taken our town back for the Kingdom of God. We are taking everything
back that the devil ever stole from us. We will never again be deceived by
satanic and demonic forces.

As blood-bought children of God, we exercise our authority over the devil in
Jesus' name. By that authority, and through His Blessed Name, we command all
satanic and demonic forces to cease their activities and depart the town of
Inglis.

As the Mayor of Inglis, duly elected by the citizens of this town, and
appointed by God to this position of leadership, I proclaim victory over
Satan, freedom for our citizens, and liberty to worship our Creator and
Heavenly Father, the God of Israel. I take this action in accordance with
the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew
28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18.

Signed and sealed this 5th Day of November, 2001

Carolyn Risher, Mayor
Sally McCranie, Town Clerk