An Atheist Sign In Washington’s Capitol: Good Or Bad?
Here’s a debate between Bill O’Reilly and Megyn Kelly about the atheist sign in Washington’s capitol building.
My reaction? I don’t really have a problem with the atheist sign myself (it reads: “There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens our hearts and enslaves our minds.”), but then I am an atheist so maybe that’s why.
Of course, I don’t really have a problem with nativity scenes or other religious displays on public property either.
I’d remind those who get worked up about these sort of things that public property belongs to all of us. And if people of one set of spiritual beliefs are going to demand space for their displays they’re going to have to expect that people of different, and perhaps even opposing, spiritual beliefs are going to want some space to represent them as well.
It’s how things works.
If I had my way we’d keep religion off of public grounds entirely simply to avoid this sort of conflict, but giving atheists space to respectfully communicate their beliefs that is along the same lines as Christians do really isn’t wrong. It’s probably the best possible way to handle the situation outside of removing all religion from public space.
