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OLYMPIA — With little fanfare or complaints, Seattle Atheists have erected a decorated tree and a sign on the Capitol campus in honor of not-Christmas.
A tree? As in, a Christmas Tree?
Not exactly. The group calls it “A Tree of Knowledge” — although it’s unclear if they’re unaware of the Biblical implications of such a title, or co-opting it.
But their tree looks suspiciously like a Christmas Tree, considering it’s about a 6-foot conifer with decorations hanging from the boughs. No toys or angels or smiley snowmen for the atheists, however. Their decorations consist of pictures of famous scientists like Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, covers for books like “Cosmos” and a small copy of the Periodic Table of Elements. (I know what you’re thinking: These atheists sure know how to trim a tree!)
And, of course there’s a sign. If you can’t read it on the photo above, it’s reproduced inside the blog.
In case anyone’s wondering, there is no Nativity Scene on the Capitol Campus at this point. The Catholic League was faxed the standard form for campus displays that every group must submit, but the group hasn’t yet responded, Steve Valandra of state General Administration said. So far, the creche remains in the GA vault, awaiting the form or a request to send it back to the league.
Not sure if this qualifies as a salvo in the war on Christmas or not.
Seattle Atheists Tree of Knowledge
At this winter Solstice, as people embrace
light and hope, Seattle Atheists
celebrates (sic) human knowledge:
Inquiry and discovery, invention
and exploration, the investigation
of mysteries subatomic to astronomic
ever growing, ever reaching, ever striving.
Jim Camden is a veteran political reporter for The Spokesman-Review.
Jonathan Brunt covers Spokane City Hall for The Spokesman-Review.
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fishinjay on December 16 at 3:49 p.m.
A Christmas tree looks suspiciously like the trees that were decorated for solstice celebrations. If you’re going to call out the Atheists for co-opting Christian holiday traditions it’s only fair to give equal coverage to the co-opting of the solstice holiday traditions by Christians.
[sarcasm] I forget, at what time of year was Jesus born? [/sarcasm]
Lulubelle on December 16 at 6:46 p.m.
Don’t take the soul out of Solstice
fortboise on December 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Nice, Lulu.
Jim: you can be certain that the atheists putting up a solstice tree are aware of Biblical as well as cultural allusions they make.
But you don’t have to take my word for it, you could just ask them. I’m sure they’d love to talk to you about it.
MelonTime on December 19 at 3:13 a.m.
Just thought I’d note - you say “celebrates (sic)”; but isn’t “Seattle Atheists” the name of an organization, and hence singular? Meaning that celebrates is actually correct?
armstrongevan on December 19 at 7:52 a.m.
QUESTION:
Why were the shepherds out tending their flocks in the middle of winter?
Any experienced shepherd knows during the winter you keep your sheep contained near your camp/home.
ela
0zyzzyz0 on December 24 at 9:08 a.m.
Re Lulu’s “Don’t take the sould out of solstice.”
Let’s keep in mind that the “sol” of solstice is in reference to sol, as in sun. Maybe, it would be best that we refrain from trying to inject soul into solstice instead. We might take heed of the atheists lament that it is important to invoke freedom from religion as there can be no real freedom of religion without that prerequisite secular guarantee. The freedom of the various religious community perspectives can only be had within an overall egalitarian, open, nonsectarian and inclusively secular society.
We can all still share the spirit of peace and good will to all without limitting our spirited good will to those sharing our particular views of spiritual. We’re all in this together. %)
Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on December 24 at 3:29 p.m.
Whatever. As long as we don’t take the fun out of dysfunction.
greenlibertarian on December 24 at 11:31 p.m.
“The freedom of the various religious community perspectives can only be had within an overall egalitarian, open, nonsectarian and inclusively secular society.”
Very well said.