We’re all for free speech, unless it’s about “Merry Christmas.” An atheist sign criticizing Christianity that was erected alongside a Nativity scene was taken from the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington, on Friday and later found in a ditch. Atheists with a sense of humor are a welcome relief (anyone with a sense of humor is a relief)…
The incident will not stifle the group’s message, Gaylor said. Before reports of the placard’s recovery, she said a temporary sign with the same message would be placed in the building’s Rotunda. Gaylor said a note would be attached saying, “Thou shalt not steal.”
Sue,
Having already expressed my views about Christmas vs. Winter’s Solstice and such (hello….we live in a secular nation…), and weary of all the wrangling about this on the Christian side, I have to say that I think that that sign was in fact inappropriate. There is no fundamental right anyone has to place physical objects – crosses, nativity scenes, menorah’s, etc. in public places like a capital or legislative building. If such access is allowed, as in this case for a limited time and having to do with the official holidays, then the officials can decide the general nature of the kind of speech that is appropriate. In this case I think it is appropriate for people of different faiths (or lack thereof) to put up symbols of their views, in keeping with the holiday spirit. What these folks put up was a written criticism of what the other folks were putting up. It wasn’t symbolic, and it was an attack. Do we want Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu’s, Atheists, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Animist, and every other religion we can think of putting up written critiques? I don’t think that is the purpose of these short window holiday exhibits. I would rather they not allow anyone to do anything than that.
I don’t think this is a sense of humor issue. Nothing about that sign was funny. It wasn’t intended to be funny. Anyway, that’s how I see it.
Joel
Joel, do you think stealing it was appropriate?
I personally would want to know if they put the sign up in front of the building (on government property) or not. If so, then they had to get permission. Otherwise, free speech doesn’t protect you from erecting signs on govt property. The other one is that it says they weren’t trying to attack anyone. If so, I’d be curious as to where the sign was placed. If you’re placing it right next to the nativity scene, then that’s being contentious. It’s basically like passive aggressive behavior.
From the other side, obviously the stealing of the sign is bad behavior too.
I did read Joel’s piece on how a Christian holiday has become commercialized (I could be wrong here, but wasn’t the Christmas tree brought in to bring in pagans to Christianity? I forget) and as has many religions. In any case, I think that the story is out there but there are many points that weren’t covered that could be.
Personally though, I do find some serious passive aggressive behavior going on in that CNN article. From both ends. All in the Christmas spirit, eh?
Sue,
Of course I don’t think stealing the sign is appropriate, but to tell you the truth, I din’t know about that until just now. I had seen the story several places, maybe before the thing was stolen I don’t know, but I missed that detail. Putting up the sign was mean spirited at best; stealing it was childish and stupid – oh, and illegal too.
Darkmoon, I really don’t care either way about one religion or philosophy appropriating symbols from another, and given new or different meaning to them. Christianity did this in many ways from the beginning in the symbol of the cross. So, unlike some of my more purist brethren I am fine with Christmas trees and such, and there is an historic basis for St. Nicholas. What disgusts me is the orgy fest of shopping and spending money. Add to that the incredible Madison Avenue push to exploit the holiday and whatever meaning “advent” may have had in the liturgical year is just smothered.
Joel
Stealing would have been to remove the sign and take ownership. Someone simply relocated the sign. :-)
Of course I guess someone could have torn the sign to bits and left it in same location. :-)
Merry Christmas Everyone!