Atheist placard on display at CapitolOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — An atheistgroup has unveiled an anti-religionplacard in the state Capitol, joining aChristian Nativity scene and “holidaytree” on display during December.The atheists’ sign was installed Mondayby Washington members of theFreedom From Religion Foundation, anational group based in Madison, Wis.With a nod to the winter solstice in lateDecember, the placard reads, in part,“There is only our natural world. Religionis but myth and superstition thathardens hearts and enslaves minds.”The foundation’s co-president, DanBarker, said it was important for atheiststo offer their viewpoint alongside theovertly religious Nativity scene andChristmas-style holiday tree.“Our members want equal time,”Barker said. “Not to muscle, not to coerce,but just to have a place at thetable.”The three displays, all privately sponsored,were granted permits from stategroundskeepers to be placed in theCapitol’s grand marble hallways.The 25-foot noble spruce, called the“Capitol Holiday Kids Tree,” is sponsoredby the Association of WashingtonBusiness and tied to a charity drive forneedy families. It’s been a Capitol fixturefor nearly 20 years. The Nativity scenewas installed more recently, and amenorah has been displayed in the past.

Judge awards fees inCommandment caseLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federaljudge has awarded attorneys’ fees to theplaintiffs in a lawsuit over a Ten Commandmentsdisplay at a county courthouse.U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinleyawarded the more than $44,000 in attorneyfees to the plaintiffs — RaymondHarper, Ed Meredith and the AmericanCivil Liberties Union of Kentucky — whowon an injunction against displayingthe commandments in the countycourthouse. They were represented byACLU attorneys David Friedman andWilliam E. Sharp.“Because there are no special circumstances

which would render an award ofattorneys fees unjust, the plaintiffs areentitled to an award of attorney fees. ...,”McKinley wrote. Friedman and Sharprepresented Harper and Meredith, whosued in 2001 claiming the intent of displayingthe commandments in a publicbuilding was religious and violated theConstitution. In March, McKinley granteda permanent injunction barring thedisplay of the Ten Commandments aspart of a “Foundations of American Lawand Government” display. No publicmoney was used to set up the display inthe county courthouse in Leitchfield,about 75 miles southwest of Louisville.