The nearby nativity was installed without fanfare early Monday, with a sign explaining that the birth of Jesus, believed to be the son of God by Christians, is celebrated around the world.

"It's not that we are trying to coerce anyone; in a way our sign is a signal of protest," Barker said. "If there can be a Nativity scene saying that we are all going to hell if we don't bow down to Jesus, we should be at the table to share our views."

Now you have SOME proof that there IS IN FACT a sign sitting next to the nativity scene FOR the nativity scene (from the first link, the second isn't proof of exactly what it says). I'm not saying I believe it says that non-believers are going to go to hell, I just can't imagine it being that blatant. HOWEVER, I will concede that it is POSSIBLE that the sign may say something along the lines of "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved", or something else along those lines. And while Christians may view that as a statement of fact, it can also be said to mean that those who DON'T believe in Jesus Christ will, in essence, go to hell. And considering that picture of the little story is conveniently MISSING, I guess we may never know for certain what it says.

A sign stating "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" is stating the same thing to non-believers (if you don't believer in Him you're going to go to hell) as the Atheists sign says to Christians (and other religions) that they are stupid for believing in a religion. It never eplicitly states it, but that is how it comes across to the other side.

I also do not believe that a GOVERNMENT FORUM is the place for a RELIGIOUS SYMBOL, so I don't think the nativity scene should have been placed in it ANYWAY. And if one person's RELIGION can be symbolized in a government forum, then another person's NON-religion should also be allowed to be symbolized. If I know that what I believe to be true IS TRUE, then why should I be so offended when someone opposes me? To me, this whole argument is just RIDICULOUS.

Found: The sign at the nativity scene

It also will include a sign saying:

This Nativity holiday display was provided and erected by private citizens of the State of Washington to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated by Christians around the world

Ok, so it says absolutely nothing that would be offensive IN THE LEAST to non-believers, unless it changed from the time this article was printed. So obviously the "gentleman" who said ""If there can be a Nativity scene saying that we are all going to hell if we don't bow down to Jesus" was TOTALLY over-reacting and flat out LIED about what the signs says or implies.

That said, it is still my belief that a government forum is no place for a religious symbol, and if a religion CAN post it's religious symbol in said government forum, then there is no reason to disallow a NON-religious symbol being posted in THAT SAME FORUM. Granted, from where it was placed it APPEARS to be done in order to "start things". However, I have been to the Capitol building in Olympia, Washington, and from what I can remember (though it was MANY years ago), there really was no other place they could have placed it, and no other place where it would have been allowed.

I've said my peace about this whole situation. I'm done with this topic now. For anyone who is going to directly respond to me and expect a response from me, you won't get it because I won't be visiting this thread anymore. I'm tired of the "it's okay for US to do but it's not ok for THEM to do" angle of the argument.

Just wondering here:

Can anyone give me a reason why they think Jesus' birthday is on December 25th? It doesn't say it in the Bible. If anything, the Bible suggests Jesus was born in the Spring.

they moved it to coincide with pagan celebrations to help to convert pagans didn't they? as fair as i'm aware. my dad's told me a million times but i never remember the exact details.

they moved it to coincide with pagan celebrations to help to convert pagans didn't they? as fair as i'm aware. my dad's told me a million times but i never remember the exact details.

yep.

those wily christians, them!

I don't think anyone thinks Jesus's birthday is on December 25th. No-one knows the date, so the date that was chosen to celebrate it was chosen to coincide with winter solstice.