Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Comments (160)     E-mail article     Print view

Fox shows Olympia sign; calls come pouring in

An anti-religion sign in the Washington state Capitol has started a firestorm on national television. Fox News' Bill O'Reilly had an eight-minute...

OLYMPIA — An anti-religion sign in the Washington state Capitol has started a firestorm on national television.

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly had an eight-minute segment on his show Tuesday night decrying the inclusion of the atheistic sign along with a holiday tree and a Christian Nativity scene.

Conservative TV personality O'Reilly called the display "political correctness gone mad" and urged viewers to call Gov. Christine Gregoire's office to complain.

Gregoire spokesman Pearse Edwards says the office has been getting about 200 calls an hour, as well as e-mails.

The Capitol has had a holiday tree, provided by the Association of Washington Business, for 19 years. In 2006, it was joined by a menorah sponsored by a Seattle Jewish group.

That prompted a Spokane lawmaker to stage a protest at the Capitol, demanding the holiday tree be called a "Christmas tree." It also led a local real-estate agent to sue the state to allow the Nativity display depicting the birth of Jesus.

Gregoire, a Democrat, and Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna put out a joint statement Wednesday noting that the federal lawsuit led the state to create a policy allowing groups to sponsor a display "regardless of that individual's or group's views."

"The U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display or viewpoint onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays, including the viewpoints of nonbelievers," it said.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
//So if there is a display on Martin Luther King day, the KKK should be allowed to put up a display promoting their view.// Race and religion...  Posted on December 4, 2008 at 10:50 AM by babcocs2. Jump to comment
I am not an atheist, but I support the right of atheists to express their views. If we want our freedom, then we need to allow others their freedom.  Posted on December 4, 2008 at 6:49 AM by LMcG. Jump to comment
SW in Lake Forest Park wrote: "Many of us were born with our own conscience and don't need to be threatened (hell) or promised a reward...  Posted on December 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM by Lipshtik Pig. Jump to comment

advertising

Seattle Times Fund For The Needy offers opportunity to give

Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront

Child-support error costs nearly $21,000

Danny Westneat: Bonus for supe with a B minus?

Nicole Brodeur: You have more to spare than you think you do

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Interview with New Moon actors
Full interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising