The Atheist Sign in Washington, Bill O'Reilly, and Random Shit

I'm not sure how to feel about the Atheist sign in Washington. It says:

"At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

On the one hand, it is great that atheists are getting a place beside the nativity scene. We deserve it. Americans must be consistent: Either take down the nativity scene or let atheists express themselves. On the other hand, maybe they should have chosen something less antireligious. Maybe the sign should've said: "At this time of winter solstice, let us marvel at the beauty and regularity of nature."

Even if the sign was a little edgy, Bill O'Reilly has decided to go overboard in some of his recent comments. Bill thinks that Barack Obama is responsible for the sign. Why? Well, because he was elected, all those damn liberals were emboldened and think that they run the country. It is hard to believe that a dumbass like Bill actually has his own TV show. It is frightening to believe that some Americans actually agree with him.

Bill even had the gall to read a letter from an atheist on his show that said something to the effect of, "Why weren't atheists ever asked how they feel about nativity scenes?" Bill's response (and I quote): "Who cares what you think?" Nuff said.

On a show I saw about a week ago Bill was ranting about how America was founded on Christian principles. This man clearly does not know history. Yes, most of the founding fathers and early patriots were Christians. But a lot of them (Namely Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Thomas Paine) were Deists*and there is debate as to whether they were atheists. The Constitution never references the Bible and makes it clear that our nation is to be secular.

* Side note on Deism: Read the Wikipedia description. Deists believe in a natural god and think that religious truths may be discovered in the natural world. This is way closer to metaphysical naturalism than it is to christianity. I might also add that since some deists do not believe god is a conscious person, their belief boils down to a powerful first cause and nothing more, and so it is indistinguishable from atheism.

Finally, I think before Bill goes around proclaiming what America was founded on, he should remember that it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in early New England. Merry Solstice!