Christmas As A "Secular" Holiday

Writing for Reason, Jacob Sullum makes an excellent point:

A couple of years ago, perceiving a giant, light-covered fir at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington, as a symbol of Christmas, the Jewish organization Chabad of Seattle sought to erect a menorah to commemorate Chanukah. A local real estate agent, perceiving the menorah as a religious symbol, decided to sponsor a Nativity scene.

This year the Freedom From Religion Foundation, offended by the Nativity scene, retaliated with a large plaque in the Capitol declaring that "religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." The provocative plaque attracted nationwide criticism and inspired various rejoinders, including a sign announcing that "atheism is but myth and superstition" and a five-foot aluminum pole marking Festivus, the fictional holiday invented by George Constanza's father on Seinfeld.

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