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Atheist and Catholic Groups Compete Over Holiday Displays

By Howard M. Friedman

A press release from American Atheists issued on Tuesday describes the latest jousting over holiday displays between the Atheist group and a Catholic organization that wants nativity scenes displayed this year in all 50 state capitols:

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights announced over the weekend that it was purchasing and shipping the displays along with a letter to every governor claiming that the crèches would pass constitutional muster. League President Bill Donohue added that this was in reaction to a huge American Atheists billboard going up on November 27 at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel. The sign depicts the Christian nativity and Star of Bethlehem, declaring "You KNOW It's a Myth!"...

"The fact that the League is paying for the crèches does not automatically make them constitutional," said [AA President David] Silverman. "The governors will also have to welcome in a variety of secular displays -- and American Atheists feels that it is appropriate that they also have the opportunity to include something from Atheists and other non-believers."..... "We are offering to send every governor a placard with a reproduction of our [Lincoln Tunnel] billboard, and letter asking for 'equal time' in the public square next to the Catholic League display." ... [This will] test the commitment of state governments to Supreme Court guidelines on the matter, and free speech.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on November 26, 2010 (boomark / email).