Atheist holiday banner approved for Bethel’s P.T. Barnum Square

The Bethel Board of Selectmen approved this banner to be displayed in P.T. Barnum Square. The Bethel Board of Selectmen approved this banner to be displayed in P.T. Barnum Square. Photo: Julia Perkins/Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Julia Perkins/Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Atheist holiday banner approved for Bethel’s P.T. Barnum Square 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

BETHEL — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night approved an atheist holiday banner to be erected at the other end of P.T. Barnum Square, away from a Nativity set.

The four-foot by eight-foot banner will be west of the Doughboy statue and will not be directly next to the Nativity, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said.

Controversy over the banner and Nativity set has divided the town since an atheist group criticized selectmen for approving the creche, while not voting on a non-religious application. That application was missing required information, the selectmen said.

But Knickerbocker said the town legally must allow the atheist display because it has already permitted the Nativity. Nor can the town edit a banner it does not like or move it to a less prominent location, he said.

“I understand perfectly what the objections are,” Knickerbocker said. “I feel it in my heart. I understand it. But the fact is we have already permitted the creche on the green. We have no legal right to deny another application.”

The horizontal banner reads: “To our Bethel community, Happy holiday season! (whatever you celebrate) From your friendly atheist neighbors.” The sign shows snowflakes falling on a blue backdrop.

Tony Orrico, a 30-year Bethel resident, said he had a problem with the word “atheist” on the banner.

“The banner is an underhanded shot at Christianity meant to demean,” he said.

But James Naddeo, the resident who applied to put the banner up, said that was not his intention. He revised his original design to remove the logo for the American Atheists and said his aim is to spread an inclusive message.

“We need to be cognizant of and recognize the need for diversity of ideas and public discourse in public spaces,” he said. “Everyone should have a voice. I appreciate the meaning and place of the Nativity and I understand the importance of that to my neighbors.”

A manger has sat on P.T. Barnum Square during the holidays for decades, but this year, residents raised money to replace the older set with a new one. The display was dedicated in mid-November.

Selectman Paul Szatkowski voted against the application, arguing the square lacked adeqwate space.

“This real estate is pretty crowded already,” he said. “I have to say, adding more doesn’t help the situation here, especially if you are going to have a four-foot by eight-foot sign.”

Resident Brian Terzian said someone would not be allowed to hold a 5K on the day of the Memorial Day parade or an event in front of the Municipal Center at the same time as Food Truck Friday.

He said he supported inclusive signs, but only one display should permitted in P.T. Barnum Square at a time, based on seniority.

“By allowing too many things on that property, you are setting yourself up for a potentially offensive display,” Terzian said.

Selectman Rich Straiton agreed the square is tight, but said the display still had to be approved.

“I don’t see how we could deny another person or organization from doing that,” he said. “It’s public property and we have to be fair to all.”

A committee will be formed next year to figure out, among other concerns, how to prevent overcrowding in the square. This committee will be tasked with helping develop a permanent policy on holiday displays for the selectmen to consider. More than a dozen residents have already asked to be on the committee.

The selectmen last week approved a temporary policy that requires displays to be proposed by a resident or local organization and prevents displays from defaming other religions, people or groups, among other rules.