Two rules to avoid family blowouts at holiday gatherings: don’t bring up politics and don’t bring up religion. For proof, just look to Eric Bolling’s show on Fox Business News, where the host booted an atheist leader off the show Monday night for “denigrating the name of Jesus.”

What was supposed to be a civil discussion about a nativity scene on public property in Wisconsin quickly turned into a rapid-fire attack upon Christianity when Bolling interviewed Dan Barker, a spokesman for the atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation. When asked why his group was pushing for the nativity scene’s removal, Barker began to attack Christianity, first by declaring that America is not Christian.

“America is a diverse country. It is not a Christian country,” Barker firmly stated. He went on to say, “The nativity scene basically is an insult to human nature, that we are all doomed and damned…”

Bolling quickly cut him off by saying that he was a Christian and the nativity scene was not an insult to him. He then tried to steer the conversation back to the issue at hand – whether or not the nativity scene should be allowed on public property.

Fox News Boots Atheist

But Barker only wanted to continue hurling insults.

“By the way, why was Jesus even born?” Barker asks. “To save us from our sin. What an insult to say we are degraded and depraved human beings.”

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Again Bolling tried to cut him off, firmly stating, “I cannot allow that on my show. … You sir, are denigrating the name of Jesus and I’m not going to let it happen.”

He then dismissed Barker from the show, cutting to another guest’s comments. Barker was not seen further in the rest of the show.

Facebook users came out in support of Bolling’s move on his website today.

“Eric, Prineville, Oregon is on the crosshairs of FFRF as well. Your interview convinces me that it's not as much about separation of church and state but about hate. Thanks for what you do!” commented Ken Taylor.