Illinois Christians angry over atheist display
Charlie Butts and Marty Cooper - OneNewsNow - 12/19/2008 8:20:00 AM
Illinois made history this year by permitting a private group to put a nativity scene at the state capitol. However, the state granted permission to the Freedom From Religion Foundation to display a sign next to it that reads: "Our message at this season of the winter solstice is may reason prevail. 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."
In a press release, David Smith of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) says it is an "inappropriate" time and place to put up the "mean-spirited" and "critical" sign.
"So a group of atheists from Madison, Wisconsin, have decided to challenge [the nativity scene] by putting up their own sign right next to our nativity scene," he notes. "And the sign basically says that there are no gods, there are no angels, there is no heaven and hell, and that religion is basically a means to harden the hearts of people."
Smith adds that many Illinois residents are upset and are channeling their ire. "Hundreds of our folks are contacting the secretary of state in Springfield, Jesse White's office, asking him to either totally remove the sign or relocate it to a new section of the capitol," he points out.
The IFI leader is not concerned whether the atheists should be allowed to erect their display. Smith believes the issue of "where and when" is more important, noting that displaying it during Christmastime is clearly "provocative and confrontational" rather than wanting to express a general idea, which he says could be done any other time of the year.
Meanwhile, the governor of Washington has placed a moratorium on new displays for the season after several applications from groups for displays that had nothing to do with Christmas or Hanukah (see related story).
