Nativity Debacle 2009
Chambersburg Pennsylvania appears to be this years winner in the crazy Nativity Scene battle. Last year it was my state of Washington whom made headlines because the Freedom From Religion Foundation placed a sign next to the Nativity Scene. Bill O'Reilly lost his mind and Megyn Kelly had to handle him on his own show. This year in Chambersburg a request was made to put a sign next to the Nativity Scene acknowledging Atheist Soldiers. The Council thought about the scenario and realized that it shouldn't be in the religion business. They decided against all displays.
Christians in the town are protesting. They are upset that an atheist would do this. Some have asked the man to show his face. Others understand the constitutional reasoning for removing the displays, but would rather that all displays be allowed. I don't understand the purpose. Why should we allow these displays at one time of year and not during others?
This is another case of Christians losing their minds over someone demanding equality. Historically, you'll find a Bible being quoted to support all manner of things that we find embarrassing today. Most recently it's been the gay marriage issue. The concept of marriage being "ours" and "sacred" drives Christians to protect it. The concept of Christmas being Christian and the government being Christian is driving many to claim that this time of year is "ours". Might I remind my Christian neighbors of the Golden Rule?
In the above noted cases, Atheists are not demanding the removal of the scene. They have placed a sign that is equal to your scene in location only. It's really a demonstration of the inequality and injustice of putting any display of religion in a public building. It's not even the Atheist that you are against. It's any group who would infringe on your time of year, even if it's their time of year as well. A Rabbi asked for a menorah to be displayed at Sea-Tac Airport in 2006 since there were 15 Christmas trees. He never asked that the trees not be displayed, but Nevertheless, he received death threats over the matter.
Christians, Christmas is a time of year for all of us. There was a time in the US where it wasn't celebrated because it was too pagan. We don't care that you want to join in on the Pagan holiday. It's nice that we can all be brought together, for any happy purpose. If it means celebrating the birth of your god in human form, great. For me, I recognize the rebirth of the sun as being the cause, but I just enjoy spending a couple of days with my family. Stop being selfish about Christmas. No matter what the day means to you, I'm sure that sharing and happiness are central.
Christians in the town are protesting. They are upset that an atheist would do this. Some have asked the man to show his face. Others understand the constitutional reasoning for removing the displays, but would rather that all displays be allowed. I don't understand the purpose. Why should we allow these displays at one time of year and not during others?
This is another case of Christians losing their minds over someone demanding equality. Historically, you'll find a Bible being quoted to support all manner of things that we find embarrassing today. Most recently it's been the gay marriage issue. The concept of marriage being "ours" and "sacred" drives Christians to protect it. The concept of Christmas being Christian and the government being Christian is driving many to claim that this time of year is "ours". Might I remind my Christian neighbors of the Golden Rule?
In the above noted cases, Atheists are not demanding the removal of the scene. They have placed a sign that is equal to your scene in location only. It's really a demonstration of the inequality and injustice of putting any display of religion in a public building. It's not even the Atheist that you are against. It's any group who would infringe on your time of year, even if it's their time of year as well. A Rabbi asked for a menorah to be displayed at Sea-Tac Airport in 2006 since there were 15 Christmas trees. He never asked that the trees not be displayed, but Nevertheless, he received death threats over the matter.
Christians, Christmas is a time of year for all of us. There was a time in the US where it wasn't celebrated because it was too pagan. We don't care that you want to join in on the Pagan holiday. It's nice that we can all be brought together, for any happy purpose. If it means celebrating the birth of your god in human form, great. For me, I recognize the rebirth of the sun as being the cause, but I just enjoy spending a couple of days with my family. Stop being selfish about Christmas. No matter what the day means to you, I'm sure that sharing and happiness are central.
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Comment by Misty: Baytheist Living! on November 29, 2009 at 7:57pm -
It's never a case of equality with the theists. It's always their assumption that they are above the law, and a huge outcry when the laws don't support their views of entitlement.
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Comment by Samantha J. on November 29, 2009 at 8:05pm -
Yeah, the AFA (American Family Association) are a Christ-centered group that have issued a ban to "boycott the GAP" for it's refusal to put Christmas in it's ads. ...Despite the add "Go CHRISTMAS, go Channukah, go Kwanzaa, go Solstice!"
http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147489466
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Comment by Doug Reardon on November 29, 2009 at 8:45pm -
We're all one big happy family! And You, you MFs, aren't and you'd better keep your mouths shut and stay outta site if ya know what's good for ya!
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Comment by Jason on November 29, 2009 at 9:16pm -
Doug, to whom are you talking?
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Comment by Anne Chenier on November 29, 2009 at 10:01pm -
we get this in canada too.
it's really interesting how christmas wasn't celebrated in the states originally! too pagan? aha (: i'd like to learn more about that.
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Comment by Dave G on November 29, 2009 at 10:33pm -
That's true, Stephanie. The Puritans banned the celebration of Christmas because it was pagan in origin. This is particularly amusing since Christians today rail about 'the war against Christmas', but the only time Christmas has been banned was by Christians...
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Comment by shawn brian judd on November 29, 2009 at 10:34pm -
OMG! WTF! BFF! A bunch of whiney Atheist it's christmas just shut the F@3K up and enjoy the silly season! I'm not a Mexican but I enjoy cinco dimyo? I love cadbury easter eggs. Green St. Pattys day beer.Let 's try this for once so Bill O'rielly won't have a cow; Sit down ,have a rum totty,and just let the fundys have a good time! Just like most of us non fundys. As Atheist we don't always have to come off like the Muslim's who thinks Homass is to warm and fuzzy for them!
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Comment by Wendy on November 29, 2009 at 11:20pm -
Jason - I'm guessing that Doug is voicing the Christian Right's "Family" opinion of us godless heathens.
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Comment by Doug Reardon on November 29, 2009 at 11:34pm
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Right Wendy!
Jason: that just seems to be the way fundies seem to act, at least the one's I've known, everything is wonderful and those who don't agree better just shut up, kinda like the "America, love it or leave it" crowd.
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Comment by Jason on November 30, 2009 at 12:51am
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Thanks Doug and Wendy. 'scuse me, I'm the new kid here.
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