The Seattle Atheists have put up a beautiful Tree of Knowledge at the State Capitol building:

The text reads:

At this winter Solstice, as people embrace

light and hope, Seattle Atheists

celebrates human knowledge: Inquiry and discovery, invention

and exploration, the investigation

of mysteries subatomic to astronomic,

ever growing, ever reaching, ever striving

According to Jim Camden of The Spokesman-Review:

… their tree looks suspiciously like a Christmas Tree, considering it’s about a 6-foot conifer with decorations hanging from the boughs. No toys or angels or smiley snowmen for the atheists, however. Their decorations consist of pictures of famous scientists like Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, covers for books like “Cosmos” and a small copy of the Periodic Table of Elements. (I know what you’re thinking: These atheists sure know how to trim a tree!) … In case anyone’s wondering, there is no Nativity Scene on the Capitol Campus at this point. The Catholic League was faxed the standard form for campus displays that every group must submit, but the group hasn’t yet responded, Steve Valandra of state General Administration said. So far, the creche remains in the GA vault, awaiting the form or a request to send it back to the league.

It’s a tree for everybody. It’s certainly not disparaging to any religious group or faith. Unless you’re the type of person who gets offended that the world doesn’t revolve around you and your beliefs.

Which means Bill Donohue will go ballistic in 5… 4… 3…



