Originally published by Communities @ Washington Times
SAN DIEGO, Ca. — Dec. 9, 2010 — In an attempt to duck the controversy of recent Christmas season displays at Washington State’s capital building in Olympia, Governor Gregoire decided to pass on a manger scene for 2010. Her new policy is the latest chapter of a year to year continuing saga.
Avoiding any legal action in response to “First Amendment violation,” back in 2008, permission was granted for the Freedom From Religion Foundation to post a sign at the state capital building. The message did not exactly wish “tidings of good cheer” but it did act as a peculiar companion piece to the shepherds and wise men displayed around baby Jesus.
The idea seemed to be that if atheists were allowed to attack Christians by ridiculing their holiday, then, and only then, could we agree that the replica of an infant in a stable does not violate fundamental civil liberties.
The sign said:
“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.”
An identical sign has appeared for several years in the Madison, Wisconsin capital building, 2010 being no exception.
Many outspoken people, including Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly challenged Governor Gregoire back in 2008 to remove the offensive in-your-face verbiage. Things got even goofier when a newer group insisted on a Festivus Pole, made popular by the sitcom, Seinfeld. Still others wanted to make statements at the capital building about Santa being a “child molester.” Is it any wonder that Gregoire finally opted to get rid of all indoor displays? Last year, the atheists were asked to put their sign up outside the capital building. This year, Gregoire declined the Catholic League’s gift, offered to all 50 governors, a ready-for-display manger scene. Instead, Gregoire promised to continue putting up a tree so long as people understand that it’s a “Holiday Tree” and not a “Christmas Tree.” Actually, holiday means “holy day.” But keep it under your hat. Otherwise, we’ll be asked what’s holy about it, and additional decorations will become casualties of America’s current insanity.
At the expense of making an elephant sized understatement, one can argue that freedom of expression need not translate into every conceivable opinion’s symbol erected side by side at all times.
On the other hand, not every Christian insists that these atheist signs be removed. After all, if we do not defend the rights of others to exercise free speech, we lose credibility to protect our own message. Ironically, many atheist organizations would censor me, while I defend them, not only for their right to build public displays, but also to share opposing viewpoints in the classroom, on the radio, or in any public forum. This writer offers a suggestion to fellow Christians: Leave the atheist signs right where they are. Instead, let us build signs of our own, or perhaps circulate general letters to the public such as the following:
To Whom It May Concern
Having once been an atheist myself, Christmastime did not threaten me. Never did I feel that my rights to disbelieve were in jeopardy merely because I heard some music or saw some decorations. It simply did not matter. Nobody was forcing me to become a Christian and that alone was the only valid constitutional consideration.
Returning to the academic front, I, as a former atheist, dialogue with many current ones, challenging them point by point in public debates or informal discussions. Some atheists are sincere, open minded, loving, and honest in accessing the limitations of human knowledge, including their own. Others, while smugly lecturing the religious, display an arrogance matched only by their incredible ignorance. Unaware of the historical, archaeological, philosophical and scientific arguments for God in general or Christianity more specifically, they speak as if they know for a fact that the supernatural is impossible. When asked to prove their position, they smile and explain how one cannot prove a negative and is not required to do so. They insist that the burden of proof is on the theist since he or she is the one making an affirmative assertion. But their own sign is itself an affirmative assertion: “Religion is but a myth.” Notice they do not say, “Religion might be a myth.”
I do respect most of the atheists I have met. But the specific individuals who created this sign are only revealing their own dogma and blind faith, the very qualities they so often accuse Christians of.
As for enslaving minds, even Albert Einstein (although certainly not a Christian) did believe in some kind of God.
“Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe-a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.’”(Letter to a child who asked if scientists pray; January 24, 1936, From the Quotable Einstein by Alice Alaprice, who translated and published his papers for Princeton press).
One must wonder how poor Albert got by in life with such an “enslaved mind.”
As for those who today suppress discussion of Intelligent Design in school, we could gently ask about their “soft” hearts and “free” minds.
Let me close by speaking out for atheists in general. Please do not blame all of them for the hypocrisy and intellectual bankruptcy displayed in this sign at the capital building.
Sincerely
Bob Siegel
The former atheist who changed his position based upon facts, not faith.
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