Build monuments to humanist values

Baltimore Sun Letter to the Editor March 8, 2005.

In The Sun’s article “Justices attempt to establish ‘that line‘” (March 3), Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is quoted as suggesting, “If an atheist walks by [a religious monument], he can avert his eyes and think about something else.“

This may be a sensible solution to a thorny problem. And because what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, I think the same approach should be extended to include displays honoring atheism.

Approximately 10 percent of Americans are nonreligious or are atheists. To be fair to these citizens, how about requiring that 10 percent of any taxpayer monies spent building monuments extolling a belief in God be spent to produce and display signage that honors nonreligious and antireligious philosophies?

I would recommend that framed posters of the Earth as seen from outer space, along with the lyrics of John Lennon’s song “Imagine,” be placed in every public school classroom in the country so our children will have the daily benefit of being reminded of a powerful, uplifting humanist point of view.

And when someone who opposes atheism walks into a classroom and sees the poster, he or she can avert his or her eyes and think about something else.

Dave Goldsmith
Woodstock
The writer is the Baltimore County Green Party coordinator.