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 The group American Atheists has placed this billboard in New York City's Times Square.
December 21st, 2013
10:22 AM ET
Why atheists should quit the 'War on Christmas’Opinion by Chris Stedman, special to CNN
In recent years, one organization, American Atheists, has claimed the mantle of prime atheist promoter of the tired “War on Christmas” narrative. This year, they ushered in the season with an electronic billboard in New York City’s Times Square carrying the message: “Who needs Christ during Christmas? Nobody.” The word "Christ" is crossed out, just in case their message wasn't clear enough. The American Atheists maintain that their latest entry in the annual “War on Christmas” saga is a message to other atheists that they are not alone. In a recent Fox News appearance, American Atheists President Dave Silverman said, “The point that we’re trying to make is that there’s a whole bunch of people out there for whom religion is the worst part of Christmas, but they go to church anyways, and we’re here to tell them they don’t have to.” While that intention is important and admirable, very few people—atheist or theist—seem to interpret the message as welcoming to anyone. Many of the responses I’ve seen have been vitriolic and disturbingly anti-atheist. Which raises the question: If the goal truly is to reach isolated atheists, why does the advertisement read as a dig at Christians? A better billboard for American Atheists’s stated aim might read: “Don’t celebrate Christmas? You’re not alone.” As atheists become more visible in our society, the entire “War on Christmas” back-and-forth feels ugly and unnecessary. Worse still, it seems to do little more than offer ammunition to those claiming atheists are just mean-spirited grinches. Bill O’Reilly—one of the major “War on Christmas” soldiers—made that clear when he and I discussed the “War on Christmas” a couple of weeks ago. Let’s not kid ourselves: There is no war on Christmas. We live in a culture that privileges stories of conflict, so it’s understandable that this narrative would gain traction—with or without billboards. Much of this narrative is a manifestation of religious fears about our increasingly secular society, and it reflects widespread anxieties about atheists and religious differences. But it doesn’t reflect reality. Rather, as religious diversity in the U.S. has become more recognizable, Americans have largely broadened their approach to this time of year. According to new data from the Public Religion Research Institute, the percentage of Americans who prefer the inclusive “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” has now exceeded the percentage that prefers “Merry Christmas.” It’s not that Christmas is under attack; instead, our society is becoming better at embracing its religious diversity and challenging the notion that a single majority religion should dominate public expressions of belief. So why does the “War on Christmas” narrative persist? Based on how much play they give it each December, the “War on Christmas” narrative seems to be good for Fox News ratings. And American Atheists has openly admitted that it is good for their pocketbooks, as their talk show appearances bring in a swell of donations. Consider this from a recent profile of Silverman: “Silverman’s notorious anti-Christmas billboards and subsequent TV appearances have breathed new life into American Atheists and are often followed by an uptick in subscribers and donations. ... According to Silverman, the primary objective of the billboards is to get invitations to talk shows.” In other words: American Atheists and Fox News - alongside conservatives like Sarah Palin - seem to have discovered a mutually beneficial relationship. But does this relationship benefit atheists more broadly? Does it accurately represent the sentiments of nontheists in this country? Does it improve atheist-theist relations? Does it lessen the widespread stigma and distrust that exists between atheists and theists, which enables atheist marginalization across the U.S.? Does it invite Christians to think critically about religious privilege? Many atheists, myself included, suspect that there are more effective approaches to tackling these important issues. To start, atheists can build positive relationships with believers to humanize our communities and educate one another about our differences. That’s something that billboards, for all of their flash and fundraising capabilities, likely won’t accomplish. Atheists face real marginalization in the U.S., and it should be robustly challenged. But we also have good tidings and great joy to offer—important contributions to the public square that are currently being drowned out by attention-grabbing billboards claiming “nobody” needs Christ in Christmas. In the spirit of generosity, compassion, and kindness so often associated with this time of year, let’s ditch the billboards and build relationships of goodwill. Chris Stedman is the Assistant Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University, Coordinator of Humanist Life for the Yale Humanist Community, and author of "Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious." You can follow him on Twitter at @ChrisDStedman. The views expressed in this column belong to Stedman. soundoff (5,210 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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(CNN) - The “War on Christmas:” what — or who—is it good for?
They admitted Jesus is the Christ, that they want to cross him out and they want nobody to need him.
They paid money to say this.
I don't think you can call that admitting anything about the character Jesus. In fact that name doesn't even show up on the billboard. Your definitely stretching to make the argument they are admitting there was a real person named Jesus.
What?
What?? Confused?? YES!!
you know there are VERY few atheists in the world? Puzzling why I said that? Because many of you claimed you're atheists yet you know what God means to you also know bibles since many of you DID read it and know God and Jesus therefore you're not atheist but truly are agnostic because you all WANT proof that if God is existed or not.. I used to be Agnostic for a long time now I born again since 2 years ago.. Merry CHRISTMAS!
Why did you need to be born again? Did something go wrong the first time?
my first birth was a long time ago.. It is old person I was, now I'm a new man.. by the way, Your comment makes you looks like a clueless person, I suggest You read a holy bible and understand what I'm saying.. please, don't act like you don't know or understand this. enjoy your day.
Born again? Were you an abortion that went bad the first time?
You seem to be very confused by the definition of atheist. I suggest you reference a dictionary. It would clear a lot of things up for you.
The sign is silly and deliberately provocative, to be sure, but then again, there's no lack of silly and obnoxious Christian signage out there. It strikes me that the article is trying to assert what is good for the goose is not good for the gander.
Beyond that is the attempt to make American Atheists into some sort of major organization that represents some meaningful number of atheists, and thus be able to use it as a conduit to attack atheists. I hold no truck with the organization, and neither do I need to.
As a certain guy you doubtless feel had some important things to say; Take the rafter out of your own eye before you pick at the needle in your brother's eye.
Atheists are simple and stupid, without exception.
The sane could be said about Christians.
Neither is true.
Stop with the specious generalizations.
That is not what the facts bear out – in reality, it's just the opposite.
But if your priest told you that, I'm sure you'll hang onto that fairy tale, too.
Atheist here. I love Christmas. I think it's a holiday that anyone who believes in giving selflessly can celebrate. Just because I don't believe in Christ doesn't mean I can't celebrate Christmas.
My thoughts exactly. Christmas for me is about Family and loved ones, giving, caring for fellow humans. I don't need Christ in my Christmas, but I certainly don't need him out of yours. Just be happy and have a Merry Christmas!
Agree with both.
Good for you both, no need for either side to be so angry at each other, but that seems to be the trend now a days.
I don't think the point is you can't celebrate christmas or anything. Their point I think is to say you don't need to celebrate the christ concept or anything to be giving, loving, etc.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Ditto. And there are all kinds of atheists. Some people flat out reject religion in all its forms and permutations. Some use religious terminology to describe personal experience and belief but do not believe in any of it literally and reject all traditional notions of deity, relying upon cohesive natural law as "god." If you want to war on obsessive consumerism, I'm totally with you; if you go to church when you don't want to, that's a voluntary action unless you're a minor who's forced into it. But there is something about a candlelight service in the dark and ethereal music that appeals to lots of us and causes us to join our voices in song. There is something about the sensory combination of pine, twinkling lights, and so forth that comforts me. For quite a while, I wanted nothing to do with Christmas and I deprived myself pointlessly. Now I celebrate. Thank you, James!
Maybe Christians should quit their war on everyone else. There is no such thing as a war on christmas. This is made up BS by Republicans and Faux News just so they have something else to flap their gums about.
Move on people. Nothing to see here.
Lynda- I think you missed the author's point here.
I agree with the guy that posted above me, that you seem to miss the point. There is scrutiny out there when it comes to the season of Christmas. Yes, people need to be open to the simple fact that there are different holidays celebrated around this time i.e Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. Some people still celebrate the old Pagan holidays of the winter solstice, where this originally came from. The whole point of Christmas is to be charitable, compassionate and loving. Everyone need to stop fighting each other because this is a battle that there will never be a winning side. I just hope that Christians, as well as Atheists, will respect each other and be able to lift each other instead of bringing each other down. To everyone, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy this Holiday season with your loved ones.
WHy group all athiests as opposed to christmas or any other religious festivals. Most athiests respect free will and tolerance (that is why they are athiests in the first place due to free thinking), and hence by definition, they respect others right to celebrate whatever they want. My mother was very religious and when we were young, we were required to pray everyday. SHe was a also a very open minded and tolerant person who also believed in other religions too and inculcated in us a respect for all religions. Being educated, my parents agreed that religion and gods were indeed myths, but those myths endured through the ages because they are founded in forgiveness, love and the philosophy of respect and morality. You dont see myths about fairies and demons persisting, right? But being very tolerant, they also encouraged us constantly to think for ourselves and not to blindly follow everything. I thought and examined and became an athiest, but still out of respect for the doctrine of free will and tolerance, I constantly expose my kids to religion as well as to science and rational thinking. They need to make that choice on their own, whichever gives them happiness. So I always extend that tolerance to people who follow other faiths as well. A true athiest does not deny others the freedom to celebrate what they believe in. If they do, then they are following a religion called athiesm and not exactly rational athiest in evey sense of the way. So my dear author, Please stop grouping all atheists that way.
I'm an atheist. I never got a vote on whether this sign got posted or not. I think it's a silly sign, personally.
Same. It's very strange to be talked about as a cohesive group when we obviously are not. Silverman does not represent me, Stedman does not speak for me, and the billboards are silly and counterproductive.
Life is a tennis match. Those in the stands wish to live their lives freely and do not have the need to force others to live as they do, dwarf the extremely few hurling abusive balls BS always blaming the one on the other side of the net for being the reason they hurl their crap. People hated Nixon but perhaps he had something to teach us when he coined the Silent majority. Unless we climb out of those stands and go after those who abuse us as acting as if they are our voice, then we support what is happening. I, for one, reject this BS from either side and will not tolerate it and I will always come to the defense of those the few wish to belittle and degrade. Shame on me for ever allowing the few to gather such a voice by being silent. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate their spiritual growth in that way, Happy Holidays to those who do not believe, May all others celebrating their religious beliefs have a joyous occasion. To those who have a problem with that...find something constructive to do that helps you to keep your personal issues to yourself. My tolerance for this egotistical pollution has run out.
Why a tiny minority picks on the majority is a mystery. They will never ever be able to convert those of faith to being non-believers, especially with crude, derogatory remarks concerning the believer or his God.
Why a majority picks on a minority is confusing to me. Derogatory remarks and threatening signs have never made a person believe that a god actually exists. You know what would make people believe that a god exists? Evidence.
Well, you prove that He does not exist – will take you a while
You don't understand logic, do you?
Maddy, exactly!
As long as you prove that Santa Claus does not exist.
How about you prove that HE does exist.
Show us the actual Ten Commandments.
Or better yet, his long form birth certificate.
You're absolutely right. Atheists aren't the biggest threat to theists, that would be knowledge. The more knowledge someone has the more likely they are to see the ridiculousness of organized religions. It's going to happen, knowledge is more accessible now than ever, eventually the last person's head will be pulled out of the sand by knowledge and the world will be a better place. But until that day, can't we all just get along?
You think that "knowledge" will stop the world from wars and famine?
Too many greedy and yes, sinful people around for that to happen. You sound naive.
I think you may want to reread that, nowhere in it did I say anything about stopping wars and famine. I think you might be reading from the wrong page in your "how to argue with atheists" book. I just made the general statement that knowledge is the enemy of theism. Not that the world would be better or worse without it. I'm sure we'd still find things to fight about.
Ok I went back and read and I actually did say that it would be a better place, my mistake. Although I didn't say anything about wars and famine.
You are saying "knowledge" or inferring that "knowledge" will make people not believe.. what knowledge? what a atheist writes down? what a christian writes down? empirical science knowledge? which of course does not preclude believing in God, but you seem to think so.
Not education, knowledge gained through personal experience. The more you know of the world, the universe, other people and cultures, the harder it is to believe that you were lucky enough to be in the right time and place to be born into the one true religion. If you surround yourself only with people who believe like you, shut off those who don't, and immediately dismiss any information that is contradictory to what you believe then it is really easy to continue believing what you want unchallenged. But it is getting harder and harder to live like that, and that's why you're seeing the number of non-theists rise.
I know much about the world and different cultures . The very reason that Jesus told his disciples to spread the gospel throughout the world is due to the different cultures, and yes, false gods being perpetuated out there. God will judge justly dependent on your knowledge of Him. Christ's death on the cross is the key to mankind's not having to fear death. There is more to us than this early body and some will be in the presence of God and others will not.
If you truly knew much about the world then you would know that every person who has believed in an ideology has done so with the same fervor that you do. Every person believes in their god as much as you, how arrogant you are to think that you know more than them. Sadly it is that exact mindset that makes a lot of people hate Christians.
That time will come. God will interfere in the world and it won't be pretty for many that have rejected Him.
I'm going to make an assumption based on statistics, fully prepared to be made an ass if I'm incorrect. But I'm guessing you were born to a Christian family, and community, raised Christian all that good stuff? I wonder if you had been born in say, Afghanistan or China, or even how about here in America, but about 700 years earlier. Would you defend that religion as fervently as you defend Christianity now? Or are you arrogant enough to believe that you would have seen above the traditional religion and found Jesus anyways?
Your supposedly omnipotent god and supposedly divine jesus haven't done much to stop war and famine. . .
counterww/ Mike
Mike kind of think that our buddy here is a bit of a dork when it comes to his viewpoint. Kind of wonder why his god didn't knock up a bunch of Marys' and have a son in all the cultures of the time. Kind of stupid to have the likes of counterww to do such a poor job in spreading the fertilizer.
Calling me a "dork" won't change things. You must be a real winner in person, or you don't have the guts to talk to people face to face like that. Glad you are not in my circle of relationships.
counterww
I think I said you were a bit of a dork in regards to your viewpoint, but if you wish to claim you are a total dork so be it. Solittle humor in Christians in general and of course the lack of self esteem needing to be saved by the big crutch in the sky.
This is not the only tiny minority pickin on the majority.
GLBT do that too.
If you are so eager to pick on something, target lsIam – this could be fun.
Comments like yours are the reason Christians get attacked. Aggressive ignorance is annoying so people fight back.
So why do you feel so threatened by such a tiny minority?
Atheists – not a very happy bunch, seem to be conflicted no matter what. Change the campaign from: Atheist's War on Christmas – OR – any other god – OR _od-lovin' folks – OR – take a pick, TO: With Love from The Ahteists. Instead of commiserating on tacky tactics on other peoples beliefs, try putting those angst ridden bucks $$$ to better use: on soul (less) searching, feeding the hungry, combatting diseases that still strike the 3rd world countries that have been resolved in others or contributing to a mico fund organization on behalf of your 'BELIEF group'. A panel in Times Square that said "Atheist Fund for Hunger Remediation" – or something like that, would be better for everyone. You don't see tacky anti-atheist posters around much do you, many other 'BELIEF groups' just go about their day and give you space. Try being as repectful
What a lovely bunch of supposition. Thanks for sharing and stereotyping.
Merry Christmas!
From a religious perspective, the thing that really undermined Christmas was not liberals or atheists; it was the many many Christians who tried (and keep trying) to use the holiday to make as much money as possible. Christmas became a money event long long LONG before anyone started saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Christmas stopped being primarily a religious event way before atheists and liberals said anything about it.
Oh, there are no conservative atheists? Or liberal Christians? When did that happen?
Where did I ever say that? Obviously the people blamed for the bogus "war on Christmas" are atheists and liberals.
Please don't project things into my post that are definitely not there.
Just curious as to the liberal slant. If you are talking about Fox New's views, and the far right, I agree.
Modern humans have been around for 200,000 years, Christianity for about 2,000... I feel bad for all of those billions of humans who are rotting in hell right now because they never had a chance to know of Christ.
Well, as the global flood and hell prove, God is Love. Oh, and love your enemies, and feel free to do it like god does–eternal torture.
That is THE most ignorant thing I have read today. But the day is young.
Are you sarcastic or serious? But seriously, does somebody know the official position of the church about those born before Christ?
I'm not Christian anymore but I believe that's the way it works isn't it? The only way to heaven is through Christ, something like that? Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm willing to learn. So then all those born before Christ would obviously not be able to accept him as their savior and are therefor doomed to an eternity of fire.
That is wrong. Jesus preached the gospel to those in Hades after death and before the resurrection. Those that believed did not perish. Those that did not......
That's interesting, do you have a source for that? I'd be interested in reading about it
counterww
You are comedy gold, you should write that up as a Monty Python skit, before and after.
Quark, if you don't know Christian theology then just shut your trap. Since you believe in nothing we cannot even have a fruitful conversation.
counterww-
There you go with that "believe in nothing" CRAP... Yes, you are a soldier in the War on Atheists...
counterww
I am a Deist. You wish to take away my right of freedom of speech, very unchristian. Turn the other cheek now, you have to or prove the hypocrisy of what you believe. That's entertainment.
You are a deist. Then you believe in a higher power but that is about it. "Shut your trap" was just a expression of my frustration with people like you. Everyone has free speech, mistaken or not. I might not believe in what you believe in, but I will fight for your right to say it.
counterww
I just enjoy needling guys like you and wait until you fall of the pious Christian bandwagon. The golden rule doesn't apply to you does it? Talk the talk but can't walk the walk, strike back in righteous indignation.
Luke 16:20 –
talks about Lazarus who died and was in Abraham's bosom in Sheol, and also the rich man that died and was also in Sheol but he was separated from them by a chasm/gulf.
So before Jesus died everyone went to Sheol, but to different places.
When Jesus died, he went to Sheol, there all the principalities of evil tried to hold him there, but they couldn't. He then took the keys of Sheol and released all who were there.
That's how Jesus broke the power of sin and death over you.
After His death and resurrection, all who die now go to paradise/eden. Remember on the cross, he told the thief, today you will be with me in Paradise.
(Not all the details but had to hurry)
Correct
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 Pet 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
1 Pet 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
There is a popular interpretation of this passage, in conjunction with the Apostles' Creed, that Jesus, after His death on the cross, descended into Hades/Hell/prison to preach to spirits there.
not nearly as bad as i feel for people like you...
The guy is fighting windmills. He should get real. Atheism is not about attacking beautiful traditions even if they have some historical religious associations. I am an atheist and I love Christmas. It has nothing to do with Christ for me and everything with Crhistmas tree, candles, hot wine and presents.
What people actually disturbs is Christ. Nearly everybody, even an atheist, is ready to believe in an impersonal God, and to think God as a kind of energy or force. Nearly nobody wants to believe in a God who became man: Christ.
The issue is that Christ revealed God's high ethics, and we feel not able to apply this ethics in our world of selfish commerce. We could face to many disadvantages.
Indeed, if we decide to believe in Christ, at the same time we have to choose between fortune here and fortune in the world to come. If we believe in Christ we have to endure suffering and rejection here but eternal joy beyond.
Considering that we could die every moment literally, and meet the great Judge, it is better to choose eternal life instead short luck here and eternal torture over there.
Christ cured sick people, that is historical. It should make us minding that Christ cured sick people because he did something which all of us would welcome. Hence, when we reject Jesus Christ we reject a being which is strongly connected with cure. Ain't it foolish to reject the prince of cure, the prince of life? If you would be sick, would you reject cure? Are we aware whom we refuse when we refuse Christ?
http://confessingchurch.wordpress.com
@ Rainer: "Nearly everybody, even an atheist, is ready to believe in an impersonal God"
Totally wrong.
Sired Rainer... wrote, "If you would be sick, would you reject cure?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGjC4HReFL0&feature=player_detailpage
Medical cures have been proven to exist, but something like a spiritual cure has not.
Sired KHS...
"Spiritual cures" are not made in mimicry nor are they of social abundances... Metered nor mitered, spirituality is of the ebbing and flowing which can never be well measured... No one can rightly meter/miter all ebbing and flowing of spiritual waves within humanistic terminologies...
Read about John G. Lake in Spokane, Washington in the 1920's. He healed over 100,000 people in 5 years. A hospital there had to close. This is a fact.
Please attend Logic 101. You are a walking example of people who need basic instructions.
"Nearly everybody, even an atheist, is ready to believe in an impersonal God"
That is a persistent religious dream: "Atheists are really religious, they just have to be annoyed a bit more so they realize it".
Religions have always struck me as pretty silly, but if people want to do religious stuff, who is anyone else to tell them not to? As long as they don't try to force others to follow the tenets of their religions, it none of anyone else's business.
Are you sure you understand what it is that religions do and ultimately desire?
Exactly if you don't believe in a god then how does it hurt you that I do? Now if someone is trying to force their will on you then go ahead and have a fit scream it from the rooftops but when as a Christian I say merry Christmas it isn't about getting you to believe in Christ its about celebrating what the man I believe in represented peace and love for you fellow man no matter who they are or what they think. If you don't believe in him then just don't say anything back or say happy holidays or whatever but don't be offended I wasn't trying to convert you.
and therefore Rebecca, why you should YOU care about Gays or Gays marrying?
What harm does it do tt you?
None at all to anybody.
I am an atheists, but say 'merry christmas' to whoever I meet.
I'm afraid you don't have a clue what the problem is at all. Not an inkling.
I think Christians are making war on christmas all by themselves. To allow the huge commercialism of their sacred holiday. Let's be honest, with the drinking the brawling over stuff in the stores, this holiday is more like the pagan one that the christians stole from them how many thousand years ago. But then christ was not born in December anyway, so it is all kind of bogus from the get go.
That billboard is as stupid as Faux News hating people saying Happy Holidays. There are more than one holiday during this season so it most appropriate to say "happy holidays" – until Christmas Day, they you would say "merry Christmas." Any questions?
Lets put it this way this is how I think of atheists. If they were broken down on the road I would swerve to hit them. This is a Judo/Christian country where tolerance of all religious beliefs is followed. These people are fools thinking one iota that they are going to convert someone from believing in a diety to not believing in something.
They are all a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
You are not listening to what I said. You're gonna havve a hot time in the afterlife, my friend.
How very NON-Jesus of you
Meant for bdby
Is this a typo? Why would you want to hit them?
You should pull over and help them. You treat ALL mankind the way that you would want to be treated... the way that Jesus would treat you – with Love and compassion.
Have a blessed day.
Hmmm. So you would swerve to hit them? HOW VERY CHRISTIAN OF YOU!!!!
There's the Christian faith I know so well. You disagree with someone so you would kill them. Keep your religion. I'll just ignore it so I don't become like you.
The US is a secular country. Look it up.
"Judo-Christian"? Now that's a religion I could get behind.
Seriously, the is a secular country with Freedom of Religion. Freedom of Religion logically includes the right to freedom FROM religion. Just because Judeo-Christian dominance has been traditional doesn't mean that this is a Theocracy.
bdby – you are a living example of Gandhi's quote on Christians. Have a very merry vehicular homicidal Christmas this year.
It is NOT a judeo/christian country. That is another fake idea planted in the brains of the uneducated by faux news and the like.
The founding fathers most definitely did NOT consider this a Christian nation, and very clearly said so in things like the Treaty of Tripoli, which was unanimously ratified under John Adams. And not sure how mowing someone down with your car fits with your message of tolerance of all beliefs. And I'm pretty sure Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is WAY more popular than Judo in this country. Typical martial arts propaganda...
bdby
You have an issue with atheists? Funny, you don't seem to have a problem with all of the religious people doing the very same thing all over this country. Why just the atheists....and by the way, why not just go to your local maternity ward in your hospital....all of those babies are atheists...they haven't learned a thing about your god, or any of the other thousands of gods.
You could just wipe out a bunch right there.
We don't have a "war on Christmas.."
Walking through my neighborhood was nice with lights everywhere. When we walked by the local high school and elementary schools, it was very dark.
Indicating what?
Indicating that Christian dominionists want to impose their religion on the public schools...
That happens at night when there's nobody there.
What an absurd comment.
There are plenty of decorations at schools. You sound as if you haven't been in one in quite some time.
This fool is trying to imply that god was removed from schools and the result is "dark". Very false indeed.
Clearly doesn't understand the concept of our const!tution.
So turning off the lights at night at a public school = equals = war on Christmas?
Your delusions run deep – you may not be able to be saved.
The so-called "War on Christmas" is actually a War on Atheists being conducted by reactionary theocrats.
Cry me a river. There is no war on atheists.
No? Well, let's look at the example set by your fellow theocrat "bdby". I imagine you would support swerrving to hit an atheist who's car broke down on the road, also.
The media is filled with theocrats screaming their hatred of atheists.
If he said that he is not obeying God. I would never go out of my way to hurt anyone. Only in self defense is a Christian allowed to do that.
Wanna bet? Have you EVER in your life HIRED one?
Have you EVER started a conversation with one that goes.. "Gee so you dont believe in anything do you"?
I have hired non Christians. The topic does not come up. If it does, it is a touchy one and I would /may say that but it does not affect my assessing their performance. so cut the crap and the persecution complex.
So are you against gay marriage, and if so do you view that as self defense?
Considering that there is a post two up from yours stating that he would hit atheists with his car if he could, and the broad claim that atheists are satan's minions, and numerous other claims that they are not Americans and should be prosecuted, I think you might just be wrong.
Ooops. That was for counterww
It's a one off. Not a good statistical sample of who Christians are.
As an atheist, I have only one thing to say before I log off for the day:
Merry Christmas everyone!
Back at you! May you enjoy your holidays and time with friends and family.
Oh yeah. Throw a hand grenade and run.