Atheists' pyramid joins Nativity scene at Monument Square

There are, as any cursory drive around town will prove, scores of beautiful churches in Racine. The phone book lists more than 150.

The seasonal symbol of their belief sitting in Monument Square for a week now -- the Nativity scene recalling the birth of Christ more than 2,000 years ago -- has been joined by an 8-ft. tall, white-painted plywood pyramid, the work of fewer than a dozen Racine atheists.

"This country was founded on the principle of separation of church and state," said Al Sorenson, 70, who built the pyramid. "The Nativity Scene is a violation that doesn't belong on public property; it's an ancient superstition, based on a myth."

The pyramid's four sides each have a quote opposing the practice of religion. One side says, "There was a time when religion ruled the world. It is known as the dark ages."

Another side says: "The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." That quote, from Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli, 1796, which was signed by President John Adams and ratified unanimously by the U.S. Senate, "has been a point of contention regarding the proper interpretation of the doctrine of separation of church and state, says an article on Wikipedia.

David Nelson, 81, another of the half-dozen atheists who helped set the pyramid up on the square Wednesday night -- about six feet from the Nativity Scene -- insisted, "we're trying to educate the American public. The Founding Fathers left too many loopholes in the doctrine of separation of church and state."

Al Sorenson being interviewed by WTMJ

Sorenson, pointing to the Nativity scene last night, said, "If that wasn't here, then this pyramid wouldn't be here either.

"We're fighting against people who try to force their religion on others. The Nativity scene should be on church grounds. Why don't they put it on their own property?"

A lifelong Racine native, Sorenson is aware of the controversy his pyramid will engender. In fact, he was already dealing with it before even bringing it to Monument Square: the company that did the lettering, for $235, wouldn't put its name on the pyramid, for fear of losing business. And the liability insurance the city requires cost him $703.

As for the significance of the pyramid itself: Don't bother trying to figure it out; there isn't any. Sorenson noted that there's a pyramid on the U.S. dollar bill, but said a search of the internet found little information about it. He chose the shape simply because it's very stable (it has cement blocks inside to keep it in one place) and winds won't knock it down.