A judge ruled Monday that the secretary of state's office must let the "Arkansas Society for Freethinkers" put a winter solstice display on the Capitol grounds. The controversy? This group encourages "a god-free, good time" and is mostly atheists.
This has been a controversy for the last couple of years. There is a traditional Christian nativity scene already at the Little Rock capitol, and the group contended it is only right they get a display too. I agree with that.
To me, the actual display doesn't sound that controversial. It's just a bit cheesy. I haven't seen the actual display, because it's going up Wednesday. I have seen a PDF of the proposed display. It stands 8 feet tall and features some famous free thinkers including George Clooney, Marlon Brando, Leslie Nielson and Bruce Willis. Wait...what?
I kid, those actors are on the display. The display also features more qualified thinkers, including Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Marie Curie and Abraham Lincoln.
The overall display does have a positive message about acceptance, examination of belief and knowledge. I've actually been rooting for these guys to get a display. It seems only fair. I just don't think I would have chosen George Clooney and Bruce Willis to champion the cause, no matter how freely they think.
Comments