The objection that seems to be coming up in all these comments is
How do we know what is good or bad without a frame of an organized belief or religion.

We obviously know because in every society we punish people everyday when we believe they’ve crossed the line of good and bad

Sadly in most cases where there is no separation of church and state governments will deny human rights over unreasonable religious dogma

As Acura says in their slogan make this the “season of reason”

This is mere propaganda that answers to an argument that no one has made. The claim is not that atheistic lack of morals but a lack of moral premise, lack of ethos.

I’ve heard the argument many times, usually along the lines of “if you don’t get your morals from the bible, where do you think you get them from?” Or, “if you’re not good, you’re going to hell. Do you want to go to hell?”

Don’t fool yourself that the question hasn’t been asked. It’s often the last refuge of the devout.

I love it! And, yes, exactly. Be good for it’s own sake. It’s what I always taught my daughter and strive to teach my grandson also.

It’s not too hard to figure out what makes life better and this world a more pleasant place to be in. After all we only go around once when all is said and done.

And if it makes some notice that hey the Atheists aren’t so bad as we thought, maybe my grandson (and his offspring, if any) won’t have it as bad as they go around and I’d love that for them!

It’s cold. Find warmth in your heart for everyone.
-American Humanist Association

Consider a third party that is supportive of both Christians and non-Christians. What message should they take away from all this fuss?
The ads should be kept “nice” not just to be civil (which itself should be enough reason), but also to make it plain as day that the only thing “offensive” in these ads is that they aren’t promoting Christianity (or whatever religion the offended belong to). It makes the intolerance obvious. That fact gets lost when an ad pokes fun at religion, as any offended believers then have a reason to label atheists offensive. Their intolerance, then, goes unnoticed.

I think you’ve nailed it right there

Given the fact that people will take umbrage at things I consider harmless, should we bother to be polite? I think so.

Yes, we should simply do exactly what the slogan in the ad says. Be good for goodness’ sake. Not to please or placate, not to avoid or mitigate some bigot’s contrived “offence,” but just simply to follow our own humanist principles of behaving ethically, and showing kindness wherever we can.

We should keep expressing our philosophy publicly because there are so many pious liars out there telling folks how evil we are. Let them bluster and bellow against relentless good manners, and their pretentious “outrage” will become yesterday’s news. Three more Christmas seasons of this, and nobody will be interviewed on TV whining about how their widdoo feewings were hurt.