As disgusting and hateful as I find the sentiments expressed, I rejoice that we live in a country where these religious bigots can freely trumpet their message of hate for all to see.

An atheist group has unveiled an anti-religion placard in the state Capitol, joining a Christian Nativity scene and “holiday” tree on display during December.

The atheists' sign was installed yesterday by Washington members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national group based in Madison, Wis.

With a nod to the winter solstice — the year's shortest day, occurring on Dec. 21 this year — the placard reads, in part, "There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

Mind you, this is from an organization whose leader claims that a Nativity scene is “hate speech” and openly boasts that his sign is intended as an attack on religion.

I trust that, in a similar spirit of tolerance, the state of Washington (and the state of Wisconsin, where a similar plaque has appeared for over a decade), will abide by the same principle and solicit a similarly contemptuous point of view from the KKK for display along with material honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. in January.