The case involves Warren resident Douglas Marshall, who sued the city of Warren and Mayor James Fouts last summer after his request to set up a “reason station” inside city hall was denied. Fouts feared the atheist man’s table would discourage the practice of religion and create chaos in city hall, so he rejected his application for a station…

Fouts, who said he would abide by the judge’s order and allow the reason station to exist, explained his opposition. Marshall, he said, wanted to place an “antagonistic, anti-religion” sign next to the prayer station.

“I was afraid this would promote conflict in city hall,” Fouts said.