“We reject outsiders coming to Florida . . . and trying to remake us in their own image,” said Michael Tubbs, state chairman of the Florida League of the South. “We do feel like it’s a stick in the eye to the Christian people of Florida to have these outsiders come down here with their money and their leadership and promote their outside values here.”

After the 1,500-pound granite bench was unveiled, people rushed to have their pictures taken on it. The bench bears quotes from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Madalyn Murray O’Hair, the founder of American Atheists. It also has a list of Old Testament punishments for violating the Ten Commandments, including death and stoning.

At one point, Eric Hovind, 35, of Pensacola, Fla., jumped atop the peak of the monument and shouted his thanks to the atheists for giving him a platform to declare that Jesus is real. Atheists shouted at him, and he stepped down after about a minute.