[NYTr] Atheists Add to Wisconsin State Capitol Seasonal Display

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Wisconsin Badger Herald - Dec 5, 2007
http://badgerherald.com/news/2007/12/05/foundation_adds_to_h.php


Foundation adds to holiday display

by Kate Thibault

The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation posted a sign in the
Wisconsin state Capitol this week to remind residents that they live in
a diverse country.

The sign is located in the same vicinity as the Wisconsin State Capitol
Holiday Tree and menorah and reads, "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."

The sign promotes a nonreligious worldview and calls for freedom of
beliefs, FFRF co-president Dan Barker said.

"People who disagree with the sign will find it offensive, like how
some people [at FFRF] think the nativity scene is offensive," Barker
said. "If people think [the sign] is offensive, we're happy with that."

FFRF's sign, Barker added, is not intended to thwart religious
messages, but to level the playing field, as a menorah and holiday tree
are also displayed in the Capitol each holiday season.

"We would be happy to take down our signs if everyone else took theirs
down, too," Barker said.

Barker said the FFRF promotes its views because religion has caused
great turmoil and creates walls between people. Practicing religion, he
added, causes fierce devotion and has become the source of religious
conflict.

"Look at Ireland or Iraq," Barker said. "[These] are good reasons to
oppose religion."

Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, recently proposed
legislation that would change the name of the holiday tree in the
Capitol to the Wisconsin State Christmas Tree. He said he is not
opposed to the idea of hanging any religious or nonreligious signage
inside the Capitol.

"It's a free country, and [the FFRF] can put up whatever they want,"
Schneider said. "They have a right under the Constitution."

Schneider added he wants to acknowledge religious affiliation by
proposing to call the holiday tree a Christmas tree.

"There are a lot of religious affiliated objects in the Capitol," he
said. "I don't have any problem. We have prayer here; people get
married here. There are all sorts of things to promote or allow
happening. It's the nature of a free society."