Comments on: Atheists Are Not Trying to Ruin Christmas for You http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: me http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-413275 me Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:08:50 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-413275 guess what, you people can just do whatever you want not believe in God and whatever but when you start saying things against god or people that believe that's crossing the line. Hey we have religious freedom to worship as we please and you have your freedom to not worship. That's what this country was built upon. But it doesn't mean you can say things like we don't deserve to have a religion. You're saying that we shoudn't have a religion at all and all people that have a religion are killers like the 9/11 terrorists. I don't know if you noticed but those are EXTREMISTS. Look it up. And they're extreme Muslim. There is nothing wrong with Christians or other people of religion. Have you ever seen a normal Catholic kill someone in the name of God? I can't believe you're too dumb too notice that and I did. And I"m 12. guess what, you people can just do whatever you want not believe in God and whatever but when you start saying things against god or people that believe that’s crossing the line. Hey we have religious freedom to worship as we please and you have your freedom to not worship. That’s what this country was built upon. But it doesn’t mean you can say things like we don’t deserve to have a religion. You’re saying that we shoudn’t have a religion at all and all people that have a religion are killers like the 9/11 terrorists. I don’t know if you noticed but those are EXTREMISTS. Look it up. And they’re extreme Muslim. There is nothing wrong with Christians or other people of religion. Have you ever seen a normal Catholic kill someone in the name of God? I can’t believe you’re too dumb too notice that and I did. And I”m 12.

]]> By: Arduinnae http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-408700 Arduinnae Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:08:28 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-408700 D'Souza is absolutely correct in one point: There is very little difference between the belief in unicorns and the belief in God. However, as you say, no one has ever hijacked a plan and flown it into a building full of people because he thought the unicorns wanted it. The day someone does do that, I guarantee that there will be a flurry of books showing the reasons why belief in unicorns is as ridiculous as the belief in gods. D’Souza is absolutely correct in one point: There is very little difference between the belief in unicorns and the belief in God. However, as you say, no one has ever hijacked a plan and flown it into a building full of people because he thought the unicorns wanted it. The day someone does do that, I guarantee that there will be a flurry of books showing the reasons why belief in unicorns is as ridiculous as the belief in gods.

]]> By: BrettH http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-407344 BrettH Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:14:15 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-407344 I'll check out that site, muggle. I hope your right about it being worth it. It was certainly a good step they forced the state to take. Maybe I'm over sensitive to "mean spirited" behavior because I recently told my parents about my atheism, and I find myself in awkward positions to defend methods I don't like being used to further goals I do like. If the negative public response is all in my head, then I'll happily just be grateful for a victory for separation of church and state. I’ll check out that site, muggle. I hope your right about it being worth it. It was certainly a good step they forced the state to take. Maybe I’m over sensitive to “mean spirited” behavior because I recently told my parents about my atheism, and I find myself in awkward positions to defend methods I don’t like being used to further goals I do like. If the negative public response is all in my head, then I’ll happily just be grateful for a victory for separation of church and state.

]]> By: Justin Chase http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-407324 Justin Chase Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:31:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-407324 The bible actually has several passages saying that unicorns exist. The unicorn is in deed a biblical creature. Which makes his statements even more hysterical. The bible actually has several passages saying that unicorns exist. The unicorn is in deed a biblical creature. Which makes his statements even more hysterical.

]]> By: muggle http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-407273 muggle Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:09:38 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-407273 OK, BrettH, let me just say this: “Yes, it was an asshole move but the benefits will be worth it." Putting a better spin on it, it's fighting fire with fire. As for FFRF (disclaimer I've been a member for 14 years), yes, they are thinking long-term: http://ffrf.org/purposes/ I recommend that you poke around the entire site a bit to get an idea of what they're about. At least, also click on the links for legal accomplishments and news releases. OK, BrettH, let me just say this: “Yes, it was an asshole move but the benefits will be worth it.” Putting a better spin on it, it’s fighting fire with fire.

As for FFRF (disclaimer I’ve been a member for 14 years), yes, they are thinking long-term:

http://ffrf.org/purposes/

I recommend that you poke around the entire site a bit to get an idea of what they’re about. At least, also click on the links for legal accomplishments and news releases.

]]> By: krissthesexyatheist http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-406971 krissthesexyatheist Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:15:08 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-406971 I'd like to see some statistics on the amount of Christian billboards, which probably number in the thousands, versus the number of atheist billboards. The numbers do not lie. How can "they" say we are shoving our beliefs down their throats, or are engaging in any kind of 'war' when their numbers of billboards dwarf ours. Kriss I’d like to see some statistics on the amount of Christian billboards, which probably number in the thousands, versus the number of atheist billboards. The numbers do not lie. How can “they” say we are shoving our beliefs down their throats, or are engaging in any kind of ‘war’ when their numbers of billboards dwarf ours.

Kriss

]]> By: jose http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-406758 jose Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:19:15 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-406758 Suoza is a christian? Unicorns are in the bible. So Unicorns are real. So if you don't believe in Unicorns, you'll burn. Suoza is a christian? Unicorns are in the bible. So Unicorns are real. So if you don’t believe in Unicorns, you’ll burn.

]]> By: BrettH http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-406437 BrettH Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:35:34 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-406437 I'm not afraid of being aggressive, muggle. I just think it was a bad strategic move. I'm not talking about all aggressive signs, I'm just saying that when everyone (including atheists) is give the opportunity to put up holiday displays, it makes us look bad when every other display there is nice, and ours isn't. It bothers me a bit that nobody has said "Yes, it was an asshole move but the benefits will be worth it." It's starting to look like people think that being an asshole about it is always the best way to proceed, and I'm simply not convinced. If the victory is worth the PR hit, great! I love that the government isn't wasting space and attention on holiday displays. That building should be for governing. I just wonder if groups like FFRF are thinking long term. I’m not afraid of being aggressive, muggle. I just think it was a bad strategic move. I’m not talking about all aggressive signs, I’m just saying that when everyone (including atheists) is give the opportunity to put up holiday displays, it makes us look bad when every other display there is nice, and ours isn’t. It bothers me a bit that nobody has said “Yes, it was an asshole move but the benefits will be worth it.” It’s starting to look like people think that being an asshole about it is always the best way to proceed, and I’m simply not convinced. If the victory is worth the PR hit, great! I love that the government isn’t wasting space and attention on holiday displays. That building should be for governing. I just wonder if groups like FFRF are thinking long term.

]]> By: Jen http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-406403 Jen Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:15:15 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-406403 I would read <em>Unicorns are Not Great</em> I would read Unicorns are Not Great

]]> By: muggle http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/05/atheists-are-not-trying-to-ruin-christmas-for-you/#comment-406315 muggle Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:27:25 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=19100#comment-406315 Ooh, Vincent, excellent idea for a sign. I'd get a kick out of one like that and I'm sure plenty of people on both sides of the fence would. The usual nutters would find a way to take offense but who cares? I vote for one! BrettH, do you really think a nice sign would have had the desired effect? And I've news for you, you were living with that before they put up the sign same as after. And what good is getting Atheists in office if they have to cowtow to Christian idealogy so as not to appear "mean"? You sound very afraid of being assertive about disbelieving. You might want to examine why. Here's a hint: FFRF didn't cause the discomfort. In fact, their sign obviously scares you because of how you presume it will be taken by people hostile to disbelief. There's a time for nice signs. And a time when signs need to be a bit more aggressive. When the government is endorsing Christianity by giving it a forum in the public square is exactly the time to be aggressive. Ooh, Vincent, excellent idea for a sign. I’d get a kick out of one like that and I’m sure plenty of people on both sides of the fence would. The usual nutters would find a way to take offense but who cares? I vote for one!

BrettH, do you really think a nice sign would have had the desired effect? And I’ve news for you, you were living with that before they put up the sign same as after. And what good is getting Atheists in office if they have to cowtow to Christian idealogy so as not to appear “mean”? You sound very afraid of being assertive about disbelieving. You might want to examine why. Here’s a hint: FFRF didn’t cause the discomfort. In fact, their sign obviously scares you because of how you presume it will be taken by people hostile to disbelief.

There’s a time for nice signs. And a time when signs need to be a bit more aggressive. When the government is endorsing Christianity by giving it a forum in the public square is exactly the time to be aggressive.

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