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Atheist signs and Nativity scenes at the state capitol? Not this year
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After soliciting opinions from the public, a decision has been made on what kind of displays will be allowed inside the state capitol building in Olympia, WA. Unlike last year, when chaos reigned during a battle of religious and non-religious signs, this year should be pretty tame. There will be no Nativity scenes allowed in the building, no atheist statements, no signs proclaiming that Santa wants to take you to hell- yes, that was one of the proposed displays (warning- it is offensive). In fact, there will be no displays allowed from anyone from a private organization.
What will be allowed is a non-denominational holiday tree, intended to avoid suggestion of sponsoring any particular religion or philosophy. Private organizations will be allowed to put up displays outside on campus grounds, but nothing inside any buildings. Steve Valandra, spokesman for the Department of General Administration,told the Seattle Times, "We want to preserve everyone's right to free expression. We just want to make sure we manage things better than they went last year."
Last year, of course, was when things got nasty. In order to avoid the appearance of endorsing any particular religion, Governor Christine Gregoire and Attorney General Rob McKenna made the decision to allow multiple displays in the Capitol building during the winter holiday season, including a Christian Nativity scene next to a sign from an atheist organization proclaiming "At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." This got the attention of Fox talk show host Bill O'Reilly who accused Gregoire of failing to defend Christianity, turning the local issue into a national cause celebre.
Once news got out that multiple displays were being allowed, others got in on the act, submitting requests to post displays including a Festivus pole based on a faux-holiday created by Jerry Seinfeld, and a display claiming the world was created by a "Flying Spaghetti Monster" from an anti-creationism group. Pretty much everyone was offended, parents proclaimed their children were being scarred, and the governor's office received 13,000 complaints.
This year, it seems things should be calmer this winter. 'Tis the season to avoid controversy!
Source: State pre-empts any ado over Capitol holiday displays
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Point: Atheist sign in Olympia full of anger and irony
Counterpoint: Take down the atheist sign, and the nativity scene, too
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