(Photo: Getty/iStock)The European Court of Human Rights is examining a case brought by Greek atheists against their own government, concerning the public display of religious symbols and artwork. The controversy began when a pair of atheists asked that Christian symbols in the courtroom be removed during hearings that centre on religious issues and questions. Legal advocacy group ADF International has intervened in the case, arguing that religious symbols are often also symbols of national heritage and do nothing to threaten or compromise a person's human rights. Adina Portaru, senior counsel at ADF International, said, “The display of religious symbols in public spaces is in no way incompatible with human rights law. Culturally rooted religious symbols or artwork, such as centuries-old Orthodox Christian icons, do not impose a belief on anyone nor direct judicial decision-making," she said.