Atheist group protests lack of Tree of Knowledge in Chester County Christmas display

[rug]

Published: Monday, December 05, 2011, 10:24 AM Updated: Monday, December 05, 2011, 11:16 AM

WEST CHESTER — Members of the Freethought Society gathered Saturday outside the Historic Chester County Courthouse to protest a county government decision to ban an atheist Tree of Knowledge display next to other Christmas displays they say support religion.

Headed by Margaret Downey of Pocopson, the president and founder of the Freethought Society, the group formed a human Tree of Knowledge and held up atheist literature as ornaments. "We are here to say that treating freethinkers like second-class citizens is unacceptable," Downey said. "We demand equal representation on this spot — government-owned land that is supported by you, the taxpayers."

Downey said the group set up a Tree of Knowledge from 2007 to 2009 but was denied its request for a display last year after a vote by county commissioners. They were also denied this year.

Across the street, one man established a counter protest, holding an American flag and a sign that read: "I support the county commissioners."

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/12/atheist_group_protests_lack_of.html

[cleanhippie]

1. "Atheist group protests unconstitutional exclusion from holiday display"- fixed it for ya.

[rug]

3. I doubt the exclusion is. Maybe the inclusion but definitely not the exclusion.

[cleanhippie]

22. I think SCOTUS has been clear on that, no?

I thought I remembered from another thread where that ruling was cited. I could be wrong though.

[darkstar3]

2. So the county is engaging in a constitutional faux pas.

They are recognizing religion over non-religion.

[rug]

4. The Tree of Knowledge wouldn't fix it.

[darkstar3]

5. Perhaps there is another solution.

Maybe we could keep religious bullshit off of government property...:think:

[rug]

6. Adding nonreligious bullshit only clutters the issue.

[darkstar3]

7. Actually, it brings the issue to light, and shows how absurd the whole thing is.

Edit for clarity: That "whole thing" being the religious decoration of public property.

[rug]

8. There's always room in the clown car.

[darkstar3]

9. If you think the government on any level is a clown car, that may be part of the problem.

[rug]

11. I was referring to Margaret, not to mention the guy across the street with a flag.

They're symbiotic.

[darkstar3]

12. Counter protestors always rely on protestors. This is not some kind of profound point.

[rug]

13. Neither is The Tree of Knowledge.

[darkstar3]

14. No one said it was supposed to be. A spotlight, perhaps, but not a profound point.

Now, did you have anything that remotely approached a point, or are you just addicted to disagreeing with me?

[rug]

16. Yes, the point is contained in #8.

And this has nothing to do with you, surprising though that be.

[darkstar3]

17. Meaning you don't have one.

[rug]

19. Meaning exactly what I said.

Talk about addiction.

[kestrel91316]

10. Heaven knows there is plenty of PRIVATE property in the US where

people can display whatever damned religious symbols they want to, any time they want to, or none at all.

Get your cross out of my city hall, people.

[NMMNG]

15. Down with Knowledge!

Who needs it?

[rug]

18. It doesn't grow on trees. Nice myth though.

[NMMNG]

20. I'm sure you'd know about myths in which knowledge grew on trees

and where people were punished for seeking it.

[rug]

21. Sounds like what happened to Margaret.