Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Sapient · 12-18-2002, 03:41 PM

FROM FFRF EMAIL:
December 17, 2002
WINTER SOLSTICE SIGN AT CAPITOL DEFACED

Freedom From Religion Foundation Offers $1,000 Reward

(MADISON, WI) The Freedom From Religion Foundation's gilt "Winter Solstice" sign lasted only a week at the Wisconsin State Capitol before being defaced late Monday.

It apparently was sprayed on both sides with some type of corrosive substance. Anne Gaylor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for defacing the freethought message.

While damaging the sign's beauty, the words are still legible:

It says:

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.

The Foundation had asked the Capitol police for special attention in protecting the sign, for which the Foundation has a permit. Last year, the inserts containing the message were stolen and never recovered. The apitol Police have surveillance videos at all exits. The back of the sign, also damaged, reads: "State/Church: Keep Them Separate," and carries a little taped-on caveat, advising "Thou shalt not steal."

"We feel very sad about this," said Gaylor, who authored the sign's message.

"It seems to be a reflection of a change for the worse in our society--increased intolerance and right-wing aggression. Our small token Winter Solstice sign was not tampered with for the first five years we erected it, then was stolen last year, and mutilated this year.

"This vandalism was certainly the work of a fanatical religionist who thinks the Capitol belongs only to believers at Christmas. There was a week-long 'interfaith' display last week, the annual nativity pageant with angels everywhere, and the 'tree lighting ceremony' with Christian overtones. A menorah with godly text by it is placed every year. There ought to be room at the State Capitol for the views of atheists and agnostics, too."

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12-19-2002, 05:33 AM

I'm not surprised. The religionists hate those who dare to say that the emperor has no clothes, even when it's obvious that he's completely naked. But at least they didn't burn the atheists at the stake like they did back in the good old days.

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: atheist_in_foxhole ]

Jamie_L · 12-19-2002, 08:23 AM

Admittedly, the sign is pretty confrontational, and not particularlly positive. I mean, most religious holiday scenes don't urge people to repent or burn in hell.

Of course, a more positive humanist message might have been defaced as well.

Jamie

Shadowy Man · 12-19-2002, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L:
Admittedly, the sign is pretty confrontational, and not particularly positive. I mean, most religious holiday scenes don't urge people to repent or burn in hell.

That doesn't justify it being sprayed with acid.

Jamie_L · 12-19-2002, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadowy Man:
That doesn't justify it being sprayed with acid.

Nope. But I would be surprised if a sign like that didn't get vandalized. It just seems like the crafters of that sign were picking a fight. It's not surprising that the found one.

Jamie

Shadowy Man · 12-19-2002, 12:44 PM

I agree. It'd be nicer to have a benign winter soltice sign being sprayed with acid, stolen, or otherwise vandalized. That way the FFRF could at least claim the high-road.

Lady MacDuff · 12-19-2002, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L:
It just seems like the crafters of that sign were picking a fight.

I agree, Jamie. I'm an atheist, but I think that sign goes too far.

The sign, which is supposedly for the winter solstice, actually says nothing about it at all. They took what was supposed to be an opportunity to share a different reason for celebration and turned it into an display of intolerance. While we may feel we are right, coming out and telling everyone else they are wrong is arrogant. It is people like that who give atheists a bad name.

Why not a sign dedicated to the simple beauty of winter - and how we are so lucky to be here enjoying it.

While I agree with the text of the sign, I feel it is totally inappropriate in that context.

Toto · 12-19-2002, 12:55 PM

Why is it intolerant to say "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds" but OK to say "Jesus is Lord" or "he washes away the sins of the world"?

Could it be because that 90% of the people who say the latter slogan know it's meaningless? And that they know that the first slogan is really true but get angry when someone reminds them?

Rusting Car Bumper · 12-19-2002, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L:
Admittedly, the sign is pretty confrontational, and not particularlly positive. I mean, most religious holiday scenes don't urge people to repent or burn in hell.

Of course, a more positive humanist message might have been defaced as well.

Agreed. Its hard to gain sympathy when your message is "Your beliefs suck!"

Perhaps a message of "Peace is the reason for the season. We wish all people of all colors and creeds a joyful holiday season" would be better.

DC

Shadowy Man · 12-19-2002, 12:58 PM

Sign or no sign, I do recommend everyone who visits Madison to go to the Capitol building though. It is quite beautiful, and probably my favorite Capitol Building (though I've only been in 4).

Downtown and Capitol Building (center), Lake Monona (foreground) and Lake Mendota (background):

Interior Rotunda:

12-18-2002, 03:41 PM	#1
Sapient Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 127	WINTER SOLSTICE SIGN AT WISCONSIN CAPITOL DEFACED FROM FFRF EMAIL: December 17, 2002 WINTER SOLSTICE SIGN AT CAPITOL DEFACED Freedom From Religion Foundation Offers $1,000 Reward (MADISON, WI) The Freedom From Religion Foundation's gilt "Winter Solstice" sign lasted only a week at the Wisconsin State Capitol before being defaced late Monday. It apparently was sprayed on both sides with some type of corrosive substance. Anne Gaylor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for defacing the freethought message. While damaging the sign's beauty, the words are still legible: It says: 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. The Foundation had asked the Capitol police for special attention in protecting the sign, for which the Foundation has a permit. Last year, the inserts containing the message were stolen and never recovered. The apitol Police have surveillance videos at all exits. The back of the sign, also damaged, reads: "State/Church: Keep Them Separate," and carries a little taped-on caveat, advising "Thou shalt not steal." "We feel very sad about this," said Gaylor, who authored the sign's message. "It seems to be a reflection of a change for the worse in our society--increased intolerance and right-wing aggression. Our small token Winter Solstice sign was not tampered with for the first five years we erected it, then was stolen last year, and mutilated this year. "This vandalism was certainly the work of a fanatical religionist who thinks the Capitol belongs only to believers at Christmas. There was a week-long 'interfaith' display last week, the annual nativity pageant with angels everywhere, and the 'tree lighting ceremony' with Christian overtones. A menorah with godly text by it is placed every year. There ought to be room at the State Capitol for the views of atheists and agnostics, too." Listen to atheist network while you browse: <a href="http://radio.atheistnetwork.com" target="_blank"></a>

12-19-2002, 05:33 AM	#2
atheist_in_foxhole Guest Posts: n/a	I'm not surprised. The religionists hate those who dare to say that the emperor has no clothes, even when it's obvious that he's completely naked. But at least they didn't burn the atheists at the stake like they did back in the good old days. [ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: atheist_in_foxhole ]</p>

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12-19-2002, 08:23 AM	#3
Jamie_L Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: U.S. Posts: 2,565	Admittedly, the sign is pretty confrontational, and not particularlly positive. I mean, most religious holiday scenes don't urge people to repent or burn in hell. Of course, a more positive humanist message might have been defaced as well. Jamie

12-19-2002, 12:44 PM	#6
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	I agree. It'd be nicer to have a benign winter soltice sign being sprayed with acid, stolen, or otherwise vandalized. That way the FFRF could at least claim the high-road.

12-19-2002, 12:55 PM	#8
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Why is it intolerant to say "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds" but OK to say "Jesus is Lord" or "he washes away the sins of the world"? Could it be because that 90% of the people who say the latter slogan know it's meaningless? And that they know that the first slogan is really true but get angry when someone reminds them?

12-19-2002, 12:58 PM	#10
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	Sign or no sign, I do recommend everyone who visits Madison to go to the Capitol building though. It is quite beautiful, and probably my favorite Capitol Building (though I've only been in 4). Downtown and Capitol Building (center), Lake Monona (foreground) and Lake Mendota (background): Interior Rotunda:

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