Atheists Angry After PA Officials Refuse to Host ‘Holiday’ Tree of Knowledge

WTF is a "holiday" tree? It's meaningless. There is no tradition of such a thing. This just seems like childish attention-seeking to me.

Atheists are less-than-pleased following Chester County, Pennsylvania’s refusal to allow a “holiday” Tree of Knowledge on the county’s courthouse lawn. This is the second year in a row that officials have denied the request.

Last month, Margaret Downey, the group’s president and founder, wrote a letter — complete with 350 signatures from supporters — to Chester County commissioners asking for permission to place the tree on government grounds. Last week, local leaders told Downey that she and her group would not be able to do so.

According to the Daily Local News, the atheist tree was allowed from 2007 until 2009. Rather than using Christmas ornaments, non-believers would decorate the “Tree of Knowledge” with their favorite “non-theistic” book sleeves.

In a 2010 vote, the county decided to stop allowing holiday displays from various groups, with local leaders pledging to create and maintain a festive display of their own.

The county display last year included Santa in a sleigh, a toy train, banners proclaiming “Peace on Earth” and “Seasons Greetings,” and a wreath honoring military service members, as well as a traditional creche and a menorah.

The county’s refusal to allow the tree is creating angst among non-believers. ”We just want our citizenship to be recognized and the community to understand our diversity,” Downey explains.

Source

Who is not recognizing them? They are citizens like anyone else. And everybody knows there are atheists who are part of America's "diversity".

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).