Atheists Install Christmas-Bashing Sign in State Capitol Building with Governor’s Blessing

www.LC.org

Olympia, WA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has given her blessing to the installment of a sign by the anti-faith hate group, “Freedom from Religion Foundation,” in the state Capitol building. The Christmas-bashing sign reads, in part: “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.”

Governor Gregoire said she has no choice but to allow the sign, but her position is erroneous. While the Capitol also contains private displays of a 25-foot spruce Christmas tree, a Menorah and a Nativity scene, these symbols have several things in common that are missing from the anti-God rant of the Freedom From Religion sign. These are symbols, not attacks on other religions and their holidays.

The Freedom From Religion sign attacks those who believe in God, angels, heaven or hell. The group claims the sign is for the Winter Solstice, but that is a ridiculous assertion. The written message is not a symbol, and it celebrates nothing. It is a diatribe against people who believe in God and has no place with the other displays.

As part of its sixth annual Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign, Liberty Counsel has published educational legal memoranda online at www.LC.org, to educate government officials, teachers, parents, students, private businesses, employees and others about public celebrations and displays of Christmas and other religious holidays. Liberty Counsel is a nationwide, public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and church-state issues.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented, “A plaque denying the existence of God is not a celebration of any holiday. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has a radical anti-Christian agenda to eliminate any mention of God. The anti-God sign is not a symbol of any holiday, and it is wrong to display it next to secular and religious symbols celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. When celebrating America’s birthday on July 4, must we now celebrate the rise of the Nazi empire? Absolutely not! This anti-God diatribe must go. To keep it in place puts the government behind the specific offensive and insulting message.”