[Soliton]

Anything can be hate speech if you let it. Why not just ignore the atheists?

[MathDoc]

“Our message at this season of the winter solstice is may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

1. No, this is not something that should be banned as "hate speech", even though it is obviously motivated by hate and bitterness. BTW, there isn't much that should be banned as hate speech - government should not be in the business of restricting free speech.

2. No, this is not something that should be displayed as part of a Christmas display. Tell this moron to go away and come back next month - there is no more appropriate way to celebrate Obama's inaugeration than with yet another anti-Christian message. Christmas is just not the time for hate.

[popdonnelly]

There is no such thing as hate speech. The concept of hate speech is propounded by liberals to shut up the people they disagree with. Atheists have the same right of free speech that I or anyone else has.

[F16Fighter]

Springfield, IL Nativity Scene Chairman: Is Atheist Signage Political Dialogue or Hate Speech?

I don't subscribe to the notion of 'Hate Speech,' but the sanctioning of these atheists' circus stunt is certainly incendiary and designed to provoke and encourage civil unrest, chaos, and anarchy....which I suspect is the M.O. of the socialist-bent secular humanists of the State.

[napscoordinator]

I just don’t understand why the churches (Catholic, protestant evanglical etc) just put up nativity scenes on their property all over town. That would be much more noticable rather than one nativity scene on the capital steps. This is such a dumb story. Where are the churches????