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Beer Can ‘Festivus’ Pole Now Stands In Florida’s Capitol
December 12, 2013
Festivus, the sitcom-created holiday,” went on display Wednesday in the first floor of the Florida Capitol through a state-approved pole comprised of beer cans. South Florida political blogger Chaz Stevens delivered his 6-foot-tall “Festivus” pole — made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans.
The pole is a not-so-subtle protest to a Christian nativity scene that was put up December 3 by the Florida Prayer Network. Stevens, an atheist and member of the American Civil Liberties Union, wants to make a political statement on the need for the separation of church and state.
“When I asked to put this up, I hoped that I could make a circus out of this whole thing, to make it ridiculous,” Stevens said. “It’s six feet of beer cans … the government doesn’t belong here.”
Festivus, celebrated Dec. 23, is a “holiday” created for the TV sitcom “Seinfeld” as a non-commercial festival “for the rest of us” in the Christmas and year-end holiday season. A symbol of the holiday is an unadorned aluminum pole.
Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, attended the non-ceremonial standing of the pole Wednesday morning. “I’m not shaking and my God’s not afraid either,” said Olsen, who had a brief exchange with Stevens. “We’re all in the Capitol exercising our freedom of religion.”
The pole stands next to a banner from the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. The state Department of Management Services, which oversees displays in the Capitol, continued Wednesday to review additional requests for seasonal banner space in the Capitol’s entry rotunda. Those requests were by the American Atheists Florida Regional Directors, the Tallahassee Atheists and the Satanic Temple of Tallahassee.
The Festivus pole is approved for display until January 3.
Comments
28 Responses to “Beer Can ‘Festivus’ Pole Now Stands In Florida’s Capitol”
Perhaps Gov allowed nativity to secure votes from the so called Christian majority and the Festivus pole is to acknowledge we need to continue to separate church and state.
Blessed Be..
According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world.
To the atheist,
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so they are without excuse.
Hello Jeff. Perhaps one day we may have the opportunity to walk to the oaks and discuss this matter as gentleman.
Correction and reckoning walk hand in hand. May the Lord’s will prevail.
Ole 429 SCJ said:
“After the federal economic default, those atheist and Satanist down in Miami and up in New York can worship as they please and we here in the south can worship our God and celebrate the birth and self sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ as we please.
If these outsiders don’t like it they can relocate to heathen lands and we will be shed of them.
Without doubt, there is much work and correction or better yet rectification, to be done.”
Guess what, brother– I am a born and raised, 7th generation Southerner. I am not an outsider, and I have been here a long time.
Your particular belief is not the only one, and it does not represent everything Southern.
You need correction, not me.
Happy Festivus.
Its too funny, but you know the government should not support any religion in a government office with tax payer money. And if they are going to do that against the constitution then they should have support everyones.
That being said, this is too funny
I think we all enjoy a celebration during the short cold sometimes dreary days of winter, be it Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Festivus, Kwanzaa and others around the world. We want to fill our hearts and souls with love and light and our bodies with good warm food and drink, We need to enjoy the company of our loved ones, perhaps a light a fire and hear music. Stop and reflect over the past years, begin to look forward to othersr. Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward all. Celebrate the differences, be tolerant of others. Happy Holidays to all.
It’s just another festivus miracle
It’s just another festivus miracle!
Thank you Jesus. I just love it when the so called Atheists or Satanic person get involved in Religious activities. It gives the Christian opportunity to witness and give Praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Atheists or Satanic person are only bringing focus to or Lord. Satan is a character of the Bible depicting the Devil. So Mr. Atheists or Satanic person–whether you like it or not you are living the Bible. As far as keeping Church and State separate Mr. Atheists or Mr. Devil, well OK. It’s just like you keeping separate from Jesus. Oh! by the way Mr. Atheists or Mr. Devil, “Merry Christmas”
After the federal economic default, those atheist and Satanist down in Miami and up in New York can worship as they please and we here in the south can worship our God and celebrate the birth and self sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ as we please.
If these outsiders don’t like it they can relocate to heathen lands and we will be shed of them.
Without doubt, there is much work and correction or better yet rectification, to be done.
You can’t fix stupid!!! And that’s my personal belief!!!
Its a slippery slope argument people have been making for years . . . when you don’t keep that separation of church and state, one day someone else is going to come along and try to put up whatever they worship next to your cross or monument of the commandments . . . . . . I support Christianity but have no idea why some Christians can’t understand that simple concept! If it works for you, it works for them!
From the US Bill of Rights:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
For everyone opining that this is some kind of affront to the worship of their particular god–I recommend that you re-read what this amendment actually says and understand that it does not place your particular belief above anyone else’s.
Your god is just another god. Or non-god.
You like to tout the fact that your point of view is superior and the chosen one, but in the context of the United States of America–yours is just another point of view.
We all belong and we all have a right to our own belief.
Happy Holidays!
Does anyone know when the “feats of strength” will take place? Wrestling is a great way to spend the holidays. LONG LIVE SEINFELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always remember, ITS FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US This guy is a moron, but I always love a good Seinfeld line.
why isn’t the church of the flying spaghetti monster being honored also? don’t be afraid to be touched by His noodly appendage! Ramen!
Pastor, what are you talking about? Nobody hates Jesus, but not ev[eryone follows him. Just because another display goes up doesn’t mean the Christian display is demeaned or is coming down. You yourself need to get off the cross and stop this “victim mentality” everytime you come across someone who doesn’t believe as you do.
Live and let live and tend to your own knitting. Everyone else’s beliefs — or lack thereof — are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
I agree, Dudley!!!
For this individual and all the other non-believers. You might not believe in Our Heavenly Father now – BUT I PROMISE, ONE DAY YOU WILL!!
If you let the camel’s nose in the tent, his tail is soon to follow.
@ Pastor – Amen, sir, I couldn’t have said it better.
Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge… Therefore, May God Blessings be mercied upon him. Amen.
What is amazing to me is the hatred of anything Jesus. There has been a menorah in the same place at the Capitol for several years and we hadn’t heard a word out of anyone, but let Jesus be displayed and someone has to act. This guy evidently didn’t mind the menorah being there. I’m guessing he wouldn’t mind Hanukkah, Kwanza, Ramadan, Yule, etc. But when it’s Jesus….we have to draw the line. The songwriter nailed it when he wrote the song “There’s Just Something About That Name”. It is “a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow….And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” The reason He’s hated so much is that regardless whether you believe or not believe, there’s is the reality that all will have to answer to Him one day. Of course the madman Herod had such a hatred for the coming Messiah, that he slew all the innocent children of Bethlehem and the surrounding areas 2 years and under. Good news is that the little baby in the manger, God made flesh, loves you and died for you, that you might receive the greatest gift of all….eternal life.
A “FOOLS” holiday is April first. HELLO!
When these atheist and satanist reach the afterlife they will be free from God and religion once and for all. They can spend their time screaming their beliefs.
No need to feel awkward or out of place as everybody screams in that place.
Those satanist should fit right in. You would think.
If he hoped to make “a circus” of the the whole thing, did he hope to be a circus clown?
what a clown.
Freedom of religion, at its finest.