Holiday Message From Military Atheists On Display At Travis Air Force Base
FAIRFIELD (KCBS)— A group of atheists, stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, have won the right to display their own holiday message.
After some back and forth, it was decided the sign will be placed next to the traditional nativity scene and menorah.
For years Travis Air Force Base and other military bases across the country have displayed the baby Jesus and the menorah to recognize the holidays for people of both the Christian and Jewish faiths.
KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:
This year a group called Military Atheists and Secular Humanists (MASH) has raised concern, specifically the use of government money to pay for public displays that seem to endorse two forms of religion.
"We have nothing against the plastic Jesus. It's the concept behind this that can't allow one without allowing the other," said Dan Rawlings, a staff sergeant at the base who emphasized that he only speaks for himself and MASH.
He said there was some initial backlash when the request was made, but that base officials have come around.
Rawlings said the sign will read "Stay safe for the holidays from the atheists at your Travis Air Force Base—MASH". The sign goes up on Monday.
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