Washington will have a tree this year for Christmas - no nativity - no signs

August 26, 9:54 AMAtheism ExaminerTrina Hoaks

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After considering input from the public, lawmakers in Washington state have made a decision about how they will handle displays at the Capitol building in Olympia this holiday (Christmas) season. In an attempt to avoid all the nonsense that ensued last year, which gained national media attention, it has been decided that nothing will be allowed to be placed inside Capitol building.

The only thing that will be present this year is a holiday tree. According to a report on The Seattle Times Web site, there will be no "Nativity scene, [no] atheist sign, [no] "Seinfeld"-inspired Festivus pole [or] other displays sponsored by private organizations." Reportedly, the holiday tree will remain because it will not be a display of a private organization, rather, the state will be putting it up.

This interim rule, which applies to all private groups, will be in effect until a final policy is put in pace. It affects what is put up inside the Capitol but not what is placed on the grounds. According to the report, Steve Valandra, spokesman for the Department of General Administration, said, "'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.'"

Much of the controversy erupted last year after the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) put up a sign which triggered the cringe reflex of many people, atheists and theists alike. The sign, as seen here to the right, was seen by many as a bit off the mark. The message lacked holiday spirit. Regardless of whether people agreed with what the sign said, it seemed to be less about the spirit of the season (caring, giving, charity, love, family) and more about slamming religion. To some, the sign seemed counter-productive for atheists.

With the move of the Department of General Administration to ban all displays from the Capitol building, they can avoid having to deal with controversy over nativity scenes, signs like the one from FFRF, and signs like the one created by Westboro Baptist Church (as seen below).