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Festivus for the rest of us--Washington capitol atheists vs. Bill O'Reilly squabble continues
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Apparently, Bill O'Reilly is offended by the anti-religious plaque in the state capitol building in Olympia, Washington. Upping the ante, a group seeking to promote the sit-com fictional holiday of Festivus apparently got in on the action with their own Festivus holiday display in Olympia.
Back story here and here for those who have missed it.
Apparently, religious Christians take offense. To be sure, the in-your-face approach of the atheists seems uncivil, in that it's calculated to generate ire. But this is the downside of all the aggressive attacks on the separation of church and state. Once our courts and governments stared with Ten Commandments displays or Nativity scenes, this type of conflict became inevitable. Put another way, for those religious activists who argued against the separation of church and state, this may prove the old warning, "Be careful what you wish for."
The establishment clause of the First Amendment prevents state promotion of any religious view over another. So when one religious view gets a government platform, there is no going back from public access to other religious displays, including those opposed altogether to religion.
For those who are offended by either side, you're no doubt seeing the wisdom of treating religion as a private matter. Can't help but think that's the wise choice. And that comes from one who counts himself as religious.
