NEWS
Contentious sign garners interest
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Also by Keegan Kyle:
- Nothing to complain about? (December 12, 2007)
- Recruiting isn't easy on campus (December 7, 2007)
- Doyle set to sign off on ethics (February 2, 2007)
- Volunteerism on the road (October 19, 2007)
- Down and dirty on campus sanitation (October 11, 2007)
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- FFRF draws criticism for holiday sign (December 6, 2005)
- Foundation adds to holiday display (December 5, 2007)
- U of M responds to secular complaints (September 9, 2005)
- 'Holiday Tree' no more? (November 28, 2007)
- 'Free thinkers' host gathering (October 12, 2007)
by Keegan Kyle
Monday, December 4, 2006
For 11 years now, a controversial sign that promotes the separation between church and state continues to shock some Capitol visitors while welcoming others.
The Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation has posted its "Winter Solstice" sign in the first-floor rotunda area because "the situation at the Capitol is the same," according to Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the FFRF.
"We started getting complaints about the Christmas lighting … during the Tommy Thompson administration," Gaylor said. "Some people were feeling unwelcome at the Capitol."
In response to some of the Capitol's Christmas-like decorations, the foundation decided to post its own decoration that declares, "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."
"We decided to put what freethinkers think," Gaylor said. "We have been told it's even a tourist attraction for some families."
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, 14.4 percent of Americans surveyed in 2004 said they prefer no religion to Protestant, Catholic, Jewish or other religious traditions. The FFRF sign, Gaylor said, welcomes these people to the Capitol.
Gaylor said the FFRF has followed the state's strict procedure to have the 30-by-40-inch sign displayed ever since its original banner was removed years ago by former Gov. Thompson's new decoration rules.
"We're still bitter about the banner," Gaylor said.
Along with criticism from state politicians, the sign has also been vandalized and stolen. The sign's backside has been altered to advise viewers, "Thou shalt not steal," as a taped-on caveat. It also reminds viewers of the foundation's message: "State/Church: Keep them Separate."
Perpetrators of past theft or vandalism have not been found, and according to Gaylor, the FFRF suspects "it was an inside job." There hasn't been any trouble for a while, Gaylor said, adding the separation of church and state has improved under Gov. Jim Doyle.
Some critics of the sign, like state Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, say the sign may stay as long as other religious messages are also allowed to remain on display.
"We have to allow expression of those signs," Suder said. "Either they all stay or they all go."
Suder said he has received several complaints from his constituents who find the sign offensive.
"Somebody should call the Grinch, because he forgot to take his sign," he added.
Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, however, said that while religious signs are inevitably going to offend some people, it is important to give everyone an equal opportunity.
Black added he has not seen an escalating trend to integrate church and state, but he cited the issue of separation as "something we have to be careful about and guard."
"It's possible to be overly sensitive," Black added. "But if there is a religious agenda, well, that's wrong."
The FFRF is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational group of freethinkers, including atheists and agnostics, that takes on lawsuits protecting the separation of church and state. Though based in Madison, it is a national organization with about 8,000 members.
Anonymous (December 4, 2006 @ 7:12am):
Seems that much of the death and destruction in the world is caused by stife related to religious memes.
Anonymous (December 4, 2006 @ 10:05am):
Maybe somebody will kill somebody else over the sign.
Anonymous (December 4, 2006 @ 10:15am):
Islam, the new kid on the block, seems to be stuck on old Christian tactics.
***
Gibbon believed that Christianity introduced a new and negative element into religion in damning those who would not accept Christian teachings. "These rigid sentiments, which had been unknown to the ancient world, appear to have infused a spirit of bitterness into a system of love and harmony. The ties of blood and friendship were frequently torn asunder by the difference of religious faith; and the Christians, who, in this world, found themselves oppressed by the power of the Pagans, were sometimes seduced by resentment and spiritual pride to delight in the prospect of their future triumph." Gibbon wrote several major histories. D. 1794.
Anonymous (December 4, 2006 @ 2:30pm):
I've always wished I could take Communion at the police station or town hall. Thanks to this sign, that's never going to happen. Thanks, Winter Solstice Sign and stupid United States Constitution.
Anonymous (December 4, 2006 @ 10:19pm):
"Maybe somebody will kill somebody else over the sign."
If the Imams find out what it says there's be fatwah for sure, probably calling for beheading all those involved.
I'm kinda surprised it hasn't happened yet.
Anonymous (December 6, 2006 @ 2:24pm):
Freedom is just that- Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Citizens should be able to express themselves peacefully regardless of the message. No state should disallow any religious message of any kind. Period.
Durk Simmons
author "Strings of Connection: Book 1 of the Witches in America Series"
Anonymous (December 10, 2006 @ 8:35am):
No self-respecting god wants to be worshiped, prayed to, idolized, or commits mass murder, or purchases little boys from strangers and then cuts their skin off, or threatens his children with human dung, etc, etc, etc...
(like the Christian and Jewish bible tells me so)
Gary Huckleberry
