WA: Anti-Nativity Scene at Capitol Countered

Atheists: "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds"

-- From "Atheists' sign at Capitol spurs protest, counter-signs" by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times religion reporter 12/4/08

A protest, several counter-signs and a news conference are the latest in a flurry of activity spurred by a sign put up Monday by an atheist group [Freedom From Religion Foundation] in the Capitol building in Olympia. It was partly a response to a Nativity scene put up nearby by a private citizen.

Steve Wilson, 28, of Federal Way . . . who attends the nondenominational Christian Faith Center, said atheists have a right to air their views but that the sign they put up is disparaging to people of all faiths.

His plan is to hold "a pro-faith rally rather than an anti-atheist" demonstration, he said. "We just want to go show our support for people of faith. We don't want any hate. We want to display a message of God's love for all people."

On Friday, Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Redmond's Antioch Bible Church, plans to hold a news conference at the Capitol to unveil his own sign, which says, in part: "There is one God.... Atheism is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

[Responding,] the governor and attorney general's office [issued] a statement saying that "the U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display or viewpoint onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays, including the viewpoints of nonbelievers."

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to read a related story.