Last year, the Grinch stole Solstice; this year, he got violent.

The end of December marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the time when the sun is lowest on the horizon, and long before Christianity, civilizations have marked this time with fire, feast, and evergreen decoration. Every December, there are holiday displays at Pacific Park in Santa Monica. Almost all are New Testament dioramas sponsored by churches in honor of the birth and childhood of Jesus.

In honor of the Solstice, after the many elaborate religious exhibits, atheists have put up modest displays. Last year, Atheists United, Southern California's largest freethought group, erected a simple sign wishing onlookers "Reason's Greetings," but it was soon stolen. This year, they put up a more playful image, a gnome with the face of Charles Darwin and the same message. On the 22nd, a member visited the site and found "Charlie's" face had been bashed in.

Artist Joel Pelletier noted, "While I was repairing Charlie, a number of people stopped to express their support and their concern that someone would attack freedom of speech in this way. This gives me a lot of confidence that most people, whatever their own beliefs, care about everyone's right to free expression and reciprocate our good wishes toward them."

In response to the observation that atheist symbols are often vandalized, Atheists United President Bobbie Kirkhart noted, "Few religious people would go to such extremes to suppress alternate views, but there are always some people so insecure in their own beliefs that they cannot tolerate anyone who believes differently."

The Gnome being repaired by artist Joel Pelletier:

Link to Pics of Charlie being Repaired:
http://www.joelp.com/gnome.html

Contact and More Info:
Brian Parra
Director of Communications and Membership-Atheists United
805-794-4714
http://atheistsunited.org
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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