RALEIGH -- A Christian-themed Christmas display that has stood alone in downtown Raleigh's Moore Square for four years is now accompanied by a large poster celebrating the winter solstice and its observance by cultures and religions worldwide.
The Triangle Freethought Society, a branch of the national Freedom From Religion Foundation, erected the sign Sunday afternoon, shortly before the conservative Christian grassroots group Called2Action unveiled its Nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.
The winter solstice, which will take place today at 12:47 p.m., is the precise time when the Earth's axis is tilted farthest away from the sun. It traditionally has been marked as winter's midpoint with celebrations, feasts and family gatherings by ancient cultures around the globe, often as a time of renewal and anticipation of the warmer and longer days ahead.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25, which was also the date of the winter solstice for ancient Romans. One of Christianity's holiest observances, Christmas is also one of the most popular winter celebrations and has borrowed some of the folk traditions and trappings of other winter solstice events, such as Yule, which began as an ancient pagan religious festival among Germanic people.
Steve Noble, chairman of Called2Action, welcomed the dueling displays.
"I think it's great that this draws a distinction between those who reject God and those who follow him," Noble said. "It's great to do this publicly. I appreciate their right to voice their opinion and proclaim their message."
Called2Action members passed out free cider, socks and blankets to people around Moore Square after the unveiling. The Triangle Freethought Society collected food for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
Members of the Triangle Freethought Society, a nonprofit group of atheists, agnostics, deists and the "unchurched," said they were concerned about a Christian display standing alone on city property when they decided to provide a counterbalance.
"It's important to have other views expressed," said Mark Zumbach, the group's president. "We're committed to presenting what we think the reason for the season is and why it's not just a Christian time of reflection."
Moore Square is designated as a free-speech zone where any religious or nonreligious group can post exhibits. Both groups had to purchase liability insurance and file applications with Raleigh's Parks and Recreation Department.
