Gregoire supports free speech in displays

Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday that she disagrees with the solstice message placed in the state Capitol by an atheist group, but she cannot order that it be removed because of free-speech guarantees that also allow a Nativity scene and Christmas tree near the Rotunda.

"This is not about my personal religion. This is about the First Amendment and respecting views that I don't necessarily agree with," Gregoire said, citing the opinion of the Attorney General's Office, which settled a lawsuit in 2007 over letting the Nativity scene be displayed near the Rotunda.

Gregoire's office has come under criticism for two days from callers — mostly from other states — reacting to a commentary on a nationally aired TV show on Fox News blasting her as a weak and confused leader for allowing the Nativity scene and atheists' placard in close proximity to each other. The Nativity bears a message about "the birth of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated by Christians around the world."

The atheists' display was granted a permit by the state Department of General Administration and installed Monday by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. Lois Walker, a Shelton woman who belonged to the group until her recent death, had requested it early in the fall.

The display talks about the natural world, says there are no gods or devils and calls religion a "myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

'Respect'

Gregoire made her comments in a meeting with television news reporters and a reporter from The Olympian, and she said the controversy stirred by commentator Bill O'Reilly on his show "The O'Reilly Factor" was "very unfortunate" at a time she has been trying to address the state budget and help struggling families.

Asked what she'd like to say to O'Reilly, she said: "In the state of Washington, we really fundamentally respect the rights of people to express their free speech. I happen to be a Christian, and I don't agree with the display that is up there. But that doesn't mean that as governor, I have the right to deny their ability to express their free speech."

Other signs

Her comments came on a day that a lone man held a religious sign up next to the atheists' sign. Jeff Schumacher, who works for the Catholic group Knights of Columbus at its Redmond office, said he did not object to letting atheists speak their view, but he thought the atheists' placard and Nativity were too close together.

His sign said: "I saw Jesus in a near-death experience. Jesus is real! God Bless America."

Lacey resident George Reichelderfer called The Olympian with a similar complaint.

"It struck me as an insult to anyone of any religion," he said.

Reichelderfer said the wording on the atheists' sign should have been changed to reflect its message as an opinion, not a statement of fact.

Later in the day, someone left another sign quoting King David of the Old Testament and suggesting it is a fool who says there is no god.

News conference

Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church in King County plans a news conference at 11 a.m. today at the Capitol to place "our own pro-Christian sign in an effort to counter the existing anti-Christian atheist sign," his church said in an e-mail. His sign will mock that of the atheists, reversing its language to say: "There is one God. There is one Devil. There are angels, a heaven and a hell. … Atheism is but myth and superstition."

Steve Valandra, spokesmen for the Department of General Administration, said his agency had not received a permit request for Hutcherson's sign. But he heard one might be coming.

Like Gregoire's office, GA has handled a flood of calls over two days — mostly from other states — who were exhorted by O'Reilly's commentary to call.

Valandra defended the close placement of the two permitted displays, saying that past court rulings have said proximity for displays can avoid the appearance of favoritism.

A few readers from other states sent The Olympian e-mails criticizing a Politics Blog posting about O'Reilly's criticism of Gregoire and the atheists' sign. Some saw the atheists' placard as an attack on religion that should not be tolerated.

Gregoire, a lawyer by training and a three-term former attorney general, told reporters said she does not think a solution is to kick out all symbols or expressions of religion from the Capitol. She said she welcomes having the Association of Washington Business's yearly holiday tree dedicated tonight in the Rotunda.

"I want to dedicate that holiday tree … and allow the children and families that are there to begin to celebrate this holiday season. My family will celebrate our Christmas tree, this Christmas tree in my office and the Christmas tree in the mansion, with my family like we always have. We will cherish our religion but I will keep my religion out of my role as governor," she said.