Governmental Holiday Issues

I should probably be spending my time studying for finals, but instead I’m writing this blog on an issue that I just saw on the news at dinner.

This past Monday the Capitol Building was decorated for the Holiday Season. For the past 20 years a 25 foot tall spruce tree has been set up, formally called the “Capitol Holiday Kids Tree”, which is sponsored by the Association of Washington Business. In 2006 a Jewish group sponsored a “Capitol Menorah” as a symbol of Hanukkah. In 2007 a “Capitol Nativity Scene” was proposed by a local real estate agent, Ron Wesselius. Wesselius was turned down with the excuse of “they didn’t have enough time to wade through issues of government religious endorsement”. Wesselius sued, and won his case. In 2007, and now again in 2008, a “Capitol Nativity Scene” is on display. (The Menorah was not displayed this year.)

This Monday three displays were installed; the “Capitol Holiday Kids Tree”, the “Capitol Nativity Scene”, and a new display sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The display is a placard that reads “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 myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

Now, of course, issues ensue.

I pride myself on being a Christian. I will defend my religion to the death. However, I also pride myself on being an open-minded, loving person. I think that it is important to share my views on this issue, but I want to do it justice and make sure that it is very clear where I stand.
First, I would like to point out that a ‘Christmas Tree’ is not necessarily a Christian symbol. True, the Christmas holiday includes the tradition of a decorated tree surrounded by presents. However, the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with a tree. Christmas, from a Christian perspective, is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, and things of that nature can only be tied to Christianity, through the secular part of the Christmas Holiday celebration.

Second, if a Menorah, a clearly Jewish symbol, was displayed I’m not sure why a lawsuit was necessary to ensure that a Nativity Scene, a clearly Christian symbol, should also be displayed. However, the Nativity Scene is displayed so that is not the issue.

The 1st Amendment in the United States Constitution reads as follows “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

We live in a country that offers us a wonderful thing, Freedom of Religion. The thing people fail to recognize is that along with the Freedom to have whichever religion you may choose, this also means that anyone may choose not to have a religion, aka Atheism. If Christians are allowed their symbol to be displayed during this Holiday season, it is fitting that any other religious group should have the same privilege.

At the same time, I can understand how Christians, or any other religious group would be upset by this sign. After all, “Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds” is a very big put down to all religions. The Nativity Scene and the Menorah, for example, do not put down other religions, they merely show support for their own beliefs. So here is the issue. Atheism, as defined by Dictionary.com, is the doctrine or belief that there is no God. Basically, Atheism is the disbelief of any religion. Whether or not this sign was meant as a jab at religion, as many people may believe it is, they are merely stating their beliefs.

Now, for my view on the matter. I find it unfortunate that the Freedom From Religion Foundation could find no other way to display their beliefs, for example a symbol that would not blatantly stab at other religions. However, I believe that legally they have the right. Since I greatly value the rights that I have been given, the same rights that allow the Nativity Scene to be displayed at the Capitol Building, I do not believe it would be fair to strip these rights from another group simply because they oppose my beliefs.

Now for my last point, I find the most offensive thing on the Freedom From Religion Foundations’ sign to be that religion “hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” I cannot speak for any other religion than my own, but I know that Christians are taught to love one another. We are taught the importance of treating your neighbor as you wish to be treated and loving one another no matter the circumstance. Call me a romantic, but I think that love is always the answer. I resent that they believe that religion hardens hearts. As for enslaving minds I think this article that I have written should give some proof that my mind is not enslaved. I choose to believe in God, no one is forcing me to. I have made that choice as I make millions of other choices daily. No one has enslaved me.


wishing we could all just get along