Furor Erupts Over Atheist Display At State Capitol

CBS ^ | 12/24/09 | Adam Harrington

[Former Fetus]

A conservative activist and Illinois comptroller candidate was escorted from the Illinois State Capitol building Wednesday when he tried to remove a sign put up by an atheist group.

William J. Kelly announced Tuesday that he planned to take down the sign put up by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and on Wednesday, he tried to make good on his plan.

But Kelly said when he turned the sign around so it was face down, state Capitol police were quick to escort him away.

[Former Fetus]

This is what the sign says: "At the time of the winter solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is just myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

God bless Mr. Kelly and may the people of Illinois remember this on election day.

[Plumberman27]

HE should have burned it and claimed freedom of expression.

[wastedyears]

I have an answer to their stupid sign.

“Let people believe as they wish.”

[junta]

Let that “brave” atheist post that sign within site of a Illinois Mosque and the hate crimes gestapo would have been all over him, if he lived long enough.

[keats5]

I’d just put up a second sign with an arrow pointing to the stupid signs saying, “What people who go to Hell believe.”

[keats5]

I’d just put up a second sign with an arrow pointing to the stupid sign saying, “What people who go to Hell believe.”

[AUH2O Repub]

Good for him. This is a CHRISTIAN Nation.

[RC2]

He couldn’t burn it. It’s against the law. You can only burn the American flag. That’s how far we have come.

[GL of Sector 2814]

He should have burned it and claimed freedom of expression.

I take it you're a big fan of vandalism, then?

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

How about a sign that says “The natural world is only that which can be measured. How much does love weigh? How tall is humor?”

Alternatively, I’d put up a poster quoting Romans 1:18-23., with verse 22 in bold.

[mnehring]

You can’t be free to choose God if you aren’t at first free.

[chrisser]

Right. Cause their aren’t any atheists with hardened hearts and enslaved minds.

[frogjerk]

He should have burned it and claimed freedom of expression. I take it you're a big fan of vandalism, then?

Go ride your festivus pole you big dope! We have had quite enough of this baloney. AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[bitterohiogunclinger]

What gives them the right to post their religious views in a public building while banning Christian displays? Nothing.
Allowing a display endorsing atheism while disallowing other beliefs is exactly what the Constitution prohibits.

[montag813]

Religion is just myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

Communism was athiestic, and enslaved more minds than any force in history. Churches are by far the largest charities in the world, helping those less fortunate again and again. Jesus Christ has not hardened their hearts.

[skeeter]

"We atheists believe that the nativity scene is mocking humanity," by suggesting that those who do not believe in Jesus will go to hell, Barker said. "But notice that we are not defacing or stealing nativity scenes because we disagree with their speech."

Nah, you get a fraud in a black robe to steal it for you.

Tiny man.

[GL of Sector 2814]

Go ride your festivus pole you big dope!

Gosh...what can I say when presented with such a calm, reasoned argument?

[mnehring]

+1

[Jagdgewehr]

"There is only our natural world."

An expression of faith, not fact.

[Steamburg]

Defacto state supported religion. The man has a great basis for a 1983 civil rights action. This should be come a class action against the State of Illinois for unlawful restraint in support of a specific religion.