Atheist Activist Erects 'Festivus Pole' In Florida For Second Year

An atheist in Tallahassee, Florida has, for the second year, erected a Festivus pole in an attempt to combat the nativity that sits in the local city hall.

Outspoken atheist activist Chaz Stevens has, for the second year, taken advantage of the city's law that allows any religious group to erect a symbol during the holiday season. While a local Christian group has set up their nativity scene, Stevens erected his Festivus pole, a six-foot tall pole made out of beer cans meant to commemorate the fake holiday coined on the sitcom "Seinfeld."

When asked by the New York Daily News why he chose the Festivus pole, Stevens replied: "I thought one ridiculous idea deserves another."

"While I thought a manger was ridiculous I needed something (to match it) so I got Festivus."

"It's supposed to be ridiculous, it's supposed to be a blight. It's supposed to be an eyesore. It's supposed to troll you. It's supposed to anger a lot of you. That's what I did. I did it on purpose like that," he said. "As I said last year, if you can think of a better idea, something that's more ridiculous, I'm open to that."

Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, the group that set up the city hall's nativity scene, told the local News4Jax that she wishes the message of Christmas would focus on love and hope, rather than bashing the religious holiday.

"They're here to protest Christ and Christmas," Olsen said. "While I don't like some of the displays, and I think it's inappropriate, I'm sad because I think we should look for the hope and the message of love and joy and peace that the holiday does bring."