Washington State Capitol Stops Holiday Display Silliness

It started out innocently enough last year. A Jewish organization wanted to put up a Menorah next to the Nativity scene in the rotunda of Washington State's capitol building in Olympia. By the time the Parks Department and the General Administration office could come to a decision, the holidays were over and the commotion over religious expression and free speech rights quietly died down.

Unfortunately, 2008 brought a storm of new controversy to the Northwest when Washington State allowed an organization called the Freedom From Religion Foundation to erect an atheistic placard next to the Christian nativity scene in the hallway between the chambers of the House and Senate. The Foundation's spokespersons were unapologetic about the tone of the plaque's wording which essentially debunked religious belief and the State's Governor Christine Gregoire simply refused to consider the sign's removal based on the group's Constitutional right to freedom of religious expression.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation spokesman, according to their website, actually graduated with a degree in Religion from a California theological school and is a professional pianist. The group has posted controversial billboards in California in the past and were ready with a second atheist display (double-sided in case someone turned it over to hide the wording). The atheists seemed pleased that their display was allowed a place this year alongside the rotunda's traditional Christmas tree hosted for over 20 years by a nonprofit organization which supports children.

Out of the blue, a man decided to take matters into his own hands and the placcard was stolen after-hours right out of the hallway of the Capitol Building. It was turned over to a receptionist in the early morning hours at a Seattle Radio Station hosted by Ichobod Caine. Although the long-time radio announcer says he is a person of faith, he handed over the atheist display to the Washington State Patrol for return to Olympia. Apparently atheist supporters eluded to the Ten Commandments in a written note stating "Thou Shalt Not Steal." The publicity only enhanced the press coverage of the controversy surrounding freedom of religious expression. Governor Gregoire's office was reportedly receiving 200 calls per hour with regard to the language contained in the atheists' display. Also, many other religious groups were submitting applications to set up displays, many of them bordering on the ridiculous.

Finally on Friday, December 12th according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Washington State 's General Administration office decided to call a moritorium on any further applications for religious displays at the Capitol Building until better policies are put into place. Washington State apparently had its fill of Festivus fever and Solstice sensationalism.