The Shrine

In an attempt to see if a conservative state would actually follow the letter of the law, a free speech group decided to petition the state government to temporarily put up a Festivus (made up Seinfeld Christmas holiday) pole and to give it a little more flare they threw in some gay pride symbolism. The government itself seemed pretty tight lipped about it all, but they did say that it met the criteria so they allowed it. They also made similar moves in a few other states.

Refusing it would have been pretty dickish since there's a freaking Nativity scene that's on the second floor. I think it's nice for them to have a reminder of things that are actually in the Constitution (i.e. separation of church and state) as opposed to all the crazy shit that they seem to pretend actually is.

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Honestly, it's garbage put there by someone who's an asshole. Remove the pole.

When it comes to the nativity scene, this is obviously something that has cultural relevance to a lot people, and is an appropriate decoration.

If it had been a Christmas tree with some thought about harmony behind same lgbt symbols with the season, then yeah, that would be appropriate; but this is meant to be abrasive for the purpose of being abrasive. Anyone with half a brain can see this is garbage, it was put there by someone who's a wanker because he knows it will stir shit up; or maybe the guy is just a bigot. Either way, throw it in the trash. Encourage the actual lgbt community to come out and add their piece.

This is not liberalism; this is someone using liberalism as an excuse for being a jerk-ass.

Thats right Seeker, air thine grievences my child.

Yeah I did find the tone of the director to be overly childish "“Why Georgia? Really? Why not, given Georgia’s historical tolerance for differing views (wink),” Chad Stevens, the group’s director, wrote in an email." but even if the Nativity scene has genuine meaning and the Festivus pole doesn't, the fact that either are let inside government buildings just feels wrong. The government doesn't necessarily need to embrace atheism, but letting Christianity run wild with their symbolism and their brand of morality isn't doing us any favors.

Watching people pretend like Christmas is celebrated by everyone and isn't a holiday drenched in Christian symbolism gets grating. Even if you do disconnect it from religion it basically just becomes a holiday that worships at the temple of consumerism. But that's kind of hippy nonsense. How about just a holiday where you treat your loved ones well and show them that you appreciate them with something nice? Well why are we forcing ourselves to do it on this particular holiday and not more constantly throughout the year? For the shared experience? Or is it just the shame of not being in the spirit? It's probably the shame thing. Fuck that.

As an experiment in free speech I think this was a good idea. The gay pride part of it is a little cheeky/insulting/heavy handed, but the sentiment itself is appreciated for the most part.

Living in a state capitol I see similar things on the rotunda of the capitol building when I go. There's a big beautiful tree in the center under the dome. One floor up though is a competition between religious fanatics and atheists, Pro-life and pro-choice. Lots of displays, pamphlets, etc. Fundamentalists of every stripe want to force their beliefs on others. Whether it's some evangelical church or the Freedom From Religion Foundation (based in Madison) they all want to use government to enforce their religious beliefs (or lack thereof).