I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but, from a graphic design standpoint, the sign looks ugly and amateurish and, consequently, not as “smart” and it could be. I’m just sayin’…

Like “There are no gods and no devils …. So love your fellow man, embrace reason, and have a happy holiday!” e.g.

I am a Christian and I agree with the ideas that state property should either give fair time or stay out of the mix, but I have to wonder if this sign is the best they could do.

The last phrase is deliberately provocative and overly generalized. Religion has its faults, but to claim that religion ‘hardens hearts’ is just plain mean when one considers all the philanthropy that occurs in the name of religion.

The ‘enslaving minds’ bit is equally mean when one remembers that most of the institutes of higher learning were founded on religious grounds, slavery was fought by religious people (of course, it is also practiced by religious people), etc.

All I am trying to say is that if you are going for the moral high ground, it is kind of sad that it could not have a more moral or higher ground.

It’s interesting that you see being provocative as a negative. I suggest that if you think that this sign is overly generalized you’re reading too much from it. I don’t think it’s fair to get so many miles out of two word phrases.

They say religion gets people off drugs and keeps sociopaths in line. I’m willing to accept that it may do, but I suspect it isn’t that affective, or easy to implement, since those two endeavors don’t seem very successful. Pphilanthropy is a separate point from “hardened hearts”. Religion isn’t needed for philanthropy, even the most vile religious organisations do it, and motivation isn’t implicit

Education and “enslaving minds” are two different concepts. The most educated and intelligent people can be enslaved. Do social justice movements form around religions or communities? Do religious people use religious justifications and secular people use secular ones?

It’s whether you believe in belief, or don’t. If you think that religion is a powerful source for good, or unnecessary for good, and a motivation for bad.

I don’t think “equal time” is right, and prefer secular government. I hope that by displaying a pointed sign the FFRF are making the point that it shouldn’t be there in the first place. I think they could have tried to offend more people. Get more coverage, and explain why it was necessary to make the point. Atheism should not be looking for parity or to be included as a religion. There are other ways to make the point, but it needed to be made.

I think that the FFRF is attempting to make people angry. I think that’s their strategy… to get people riled up so that it gets noticed, talked about and covered on the news.

We’ve had quite a debate over whether it’s a good strategy or appropriate. I will admit that this did provoke a lot of media coverage. I think the hope was that Bill O Reilly and the professional complainers of television would cover it.

If it were me, it’d probably say “Merry whatever you’re celebrating, everyone join in. Let’s share the cheer with everyone. Love, Atheists.” And nobody would ever talk about what’s right or wrong about pushing this stuff into the state house.

So anyway. This aint’ my style or even my deal… putting up signs.

Merry season to you, Madkins.

The last phrase is deliberately provocative and overly generalized. Religion has its faults, but to claim that religion ‘hardens hearts’ is just plain mean when one considers all the philanthropy that occurs in the name of religion.

The ‘enslaving minds’ bit is equally mean when one remembers that most of the institutes of higher learning were founded on religious grounds, slavery was fought by religious people (of course, it is also practiced by religious people), etc.

All I am trying to say is that if you are going for the moral high ground, it is kind of sad that it could not have a more moral or higher ground.

(And please understand that I am by no means trying to claim that Christianity or religion as a whole is flawless or even really beneficial.

Whether a christian or an atheist.

Myself I think the sign could have been a bit milder (remember any sign espousing atheism or sponsored by an atheistic group would draw protests). Personally I rather like “Keep faith with reason” but that might be too mild.