Christians, atheists – show some tolerance
Joy to the world! The Lord is come … like it or not!!
“Oh, yeah? You religious people have been stinkin’ up the joint for centuries, and we’re gonna poop on your manger straw!”
That about sums up this year’s version of the annual crèche fight at the state Capitol. There’s something about a Christmas display that inevitably annoys activist atheists, who feel it’s their sworn duty to make sure everyone knows the “good news” is really the “bad news.”
The state Capitol in Olympia has a Nativity scene near a 30-foot gift-surrounded holiday tree in a third-floor alcove. A few years ago, a Jewish group added a nice Menorah nearby. Suddenly others wanted their own displays, including one who desired a fictional Seinfeld Festivus pole.
So did Wisconsin’s Freedom from Religion Foundation atheists, whose mission is “the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church.” They get upset about faith expression in the public square and labor to inform the naïve that there are unbelievers amongst us. At the Capitol Nativity scene, they put up a sign declaring: “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 a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”
I guess that’s why we have hospitals, orphanages, abolition, widespread organized charity and The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund – because people of faith are cold, superstitious robots, lacking independent reasoning faculties.
Alas, some Christians seem determined to prove the foundation’s message true. Someone stole the sign, which was recovered. The foundation struck back by putting a note on it that says “Thou shalt not steal.”
In the Wisconsin Capitol, someone defaced the foundation’s sign with acid; it’s now protected with Plexiglas. Critics also kept turning that sign backward, so the foundation printed the message on its back. (Points to the atheists for humor.)
Sixth District Rep. John Ahern said he’d order the sign removed immediately. Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Catholic, disagrees with the sign’s message but respects First Amendment rights, saying the state can’t discriminate between messages.
On Sunday, several hundred people rallied at the Capitol to protest the sign. Some rewarded Gregoire’s fidelity to the Constitution, with signs such as “The Gregoire Who Stole Christmas.” Preacher Ken Hutcherson said of Gregoire in a speech, “You have led the state of Washington to be the armpit of America. And (you are) the one adding the offensive odor to the armpit.”
Phew! Stick that coal in your stocking, Governor!
At the protest, artist Adam Lee created a balloon manger scene, which included an image of talk-show host Bill O’Reilly slugging Gregoire. “He’s knocking the sense of God into her,” explained Lee. Wow, I didn’t realize God beat people into his Kingdom.
As Donkey says in the Shrek Christmas special, “It ain’t Christmas unless somebody cries.” The embarrassing fracas has gained national notoriety.
First-century Christians weren’t fussed about public Christmas displays. They were too busy being lion lunches and human torchlights at Nero’s garden parties.
So while the atheist sign is provocatively typical, Christian truculence, slurs and criminal theft aren’t exactly in keeping with the goodwill message of Christmas. The one who came humbly doesn’t need outraged musclemen to guard his integrity. Love and grace go much further than Nativity displays in conveying Jesus’ message, which includes praying for enemies (even enduring the horrendous torture of insulting, historically silly signs).
But atheists would do well to show more of their highly-prized “tolerance.” Will a Nativity display take down the country in the hands of lobotomized, brainless drones? Haven’t atheists kind of made “no religion” or “the natural world something of a … religion? If so, shouldn’t they refrain from proclaiming their screed in the public square? By the way, the First Amendment says freedom of, not from, religion. And the Constitution doesn’t mention separation of church and state. This is a myth … gasp!
Maybe Santa should bring everyone thicker skins this year.
Is “tidings of comfort and joy” an insidiously dangerous message?
I think our country will somehow survive it.