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RALEIGH – For the past several years, a Nativity scene has gone up in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square during the holiday season depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.

But this year it has company. The Triangle Freethought Society, which is made up of atheists, non-theists and free thinkers, unveiled a winter solstice display marking the shortest and darkest day of the year, which lands on Dec. 21. Winter solstice typically marks the middle of winter with celebrations by ancient cultures around the world.

“We felt it was important to have a counterbalance to that display this year, so we put a winter solstice display together,” said Mark Zumbach, president of the Triangle Freethought Society. “Our goal is to point out there are multiple reasons for celebrating the season.”

Members from Call2Action, a Christian conservative group, said they have no problem with the dueling display.

“As an American I think it's great. As a Christian, it was a bit of a heartbreak because people like atheists believe in nothing higher than themselves – no higher person, no reason to live except self – so as a Christian that part is very sad,” said Steve Noble, the Call2Action chairman.

Moore Square is designated as a free-speech zone, and Mayor Charles Meeker welcomes the new addition.

“Raleigh is really a diverse city and people celebrate the holiday season in different ways -- some with the traditional Christmas and others with their own holiday celebrations,” he said. “And we try to make room for everybody in Moore Square.”

The Triangle Freethought Society was voted in as a chapter from the Freedom from Religions Foundation this past November. They have 50 members.