The Badger Herald

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Atheist symbol deserves Capitol space

Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.

Also by Emily Friedman:

Tenure at paper teaches, changes (May 10, 2007)
Straight or gay, hire either way (May 3, 2007)
Tragedy provides opportunity to re-evaluate nation's violent culture (April 19, 2007)
Anti-abortion methods go too far (March 29, 2007)
'Don't ask, don't tell' hypocritical (March 15, 2007)

by Emily Friedman

Friday, December 9, 2005

I know it may be hard to believe, but not everybody loves Christmas trees, holiday lights, tinsel, menorahs and all the other holiday decorations that decorate streets, buildings and stores during the winter months. In fact, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has made it quite clear that it doesn't like them at all.

The FFRF posted its "Winter Solstice" sign last week for the 10th-straight year. The sign, which has faced criticism and even incidents of vandalism, states: "There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." The back of the sign reads: "State/Church: Keep Them Separate." In response to the past vandalism, an additional sign is visible and reads: "Thou shalt not steal."

So why is FFRF getting criticized? If Christmas trees and menorahs are allowed in the Capitol Rotunda, shouldn't FFRF's sign be allowed?

Not in the opinion of State Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford. According to the Dec. 6 issue of The Badger Herald, Rep. Suder refers to FFRF as "Scrooge" and hopes the sign will be removed from the Capitol. He also commented on the public's reaction to the sign: "We have had groups of individuals come down who have been very disgusted with the sign. They find [the FFRF] message to be both appalling and very disturbing." He also encourages "people to post 'pro-Christmas' signs or signs promoting their own religion in response."

Leave it to a state representative to make a mature suggestion to his constituents.

What, exactly, does Rep. Suder think the Christmas trees and menorahs are promoting? Certainly, if all religious expressions are not welcome in the Capitol, then all the ornaments should be removed, not just the FFRF sign.

For Rep. Suder to concentrate only on opposition to the sign is not right. Not everybody who lives in the United States, Wisconsin, or, even more specifically, who visits the Capitol Rotunda, is religious. In addition, FFRF is not asking for the Christmas trees and menorahs to be removed, but simply for their side of the story to be heard.

According to their website, the Freedom From Religion Foundation "is an educational group working for the separation of state and church. Its purposes, as stated in its bylaws, are to promote the constitutional principle of separation of state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism." The organization believes strongly in promoting its beliefs and has said that its sign is purely to remind those who view it of "the real reason for the season."

Remember freedom of speech? Freedom of expression? Go ahead and criticize FFRF if you wish, but don't remove the sign — that is, unless you plan to pull the plug on the Christmas tree lights and blow out the candles of the menorah.

I won't hold my breath.

Emily Friedman (ecfriedman@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in journalism and legal studies.

Feedback

Show all comments

Hide anonymous comments

Anonymous (December 9, 2005 @ 8:52am):

Can people put up signs supporting racism or anti-homosexual sentiment there? Because that's free speech too, isn't it?

Those poor souls can't handle some Christmas decorations - the horror! - for a few weeks, so they have to try to ruin it for everyone else, and you are supporting them. I hope Santa gives you the finger this year.

Anonymous (December 9, 2005 @ 9:41am):

I disagree with what the FFRF stands for and I question the logic behind calling religion "myth". I still believe that the FFRF sign should stand, demonstating, if anything, Wisconsinites' varying opinions.

At the same time, anyone considering a Christmas tree to be a religious symbol is somewhat misguided. Most of the symbols we associate with Christmas are commercial, after all, Santa wasn't a result of the Immaculate Conception, but of the good nature of humankind. Let's get back to bringing people together, not pulling everyone apart.

Anonymous (December 9, 2005 @ 12:06pm):

I'm in favor of seperating church and state, but there is a big difference between putting something on display that celebrates your beliefs and placing a sign to protest other people's beliefs.

Anonymous (December 9, 2005 @ 12:44pm):

Show me in the constitution where it says that if you allow a christmas tree in the state capital you have to allow every other persons possible viewpoint to be represented.

OK, now that you've actually read the 1st amendment, you might realize how its meaning have been twisted into "separation of church and state" and how that has been twisted into meaning that you can't call a Christmas tree and Christmas tree if its in a public building.

Though I will give you credit, you did refer to it as a Christmas tree your editorial.

Anonymous (December 9, 2005 @ 12:48pm):

"Leave it to a state representative to make a mature suggestion to his constituents."

And you would call posting an overtly offense sign designed to infuriate the vast majority of citizens as mature?

Anonymous (December 9, 2005 @ 1:42pm):

Poor religious zealots...are the little signs threatening your merry little holidays? Don't you just hate it when a viewpoint you don't like gets shoved right in your face? Oh wait, that's what you do every freaking year on Dec. 25th.

Anonymous (December 10, 2005 @ 12:09am):

While the concept of posting a different view in the capital sound reasonable, i don't think that includes attacking the other religous features as "enslaving the mind". I don't think a christmas tree or menorah makes any negative comments about other religions or atheists and the atheists should try to live up to that same standard.