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TagsBY PAM LOBLEY
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
NOW THAT'S FUNNY
Have you seen the new billboard at the Lincoln Tunnel? The American Atheists, a national atheist organization, have put up a sign that features a typical Christmas silhouette of wise men on camels approaching a manger, and the words read "You Know it's a Myth, This Season, Celebrate Reason!"
The Atheists say they want their point of view to be seen by many people during this Christmas season, and, certainly, in its location at the Lincoln Tunnel, it will. David Silverman, the President of the American Atheists, said the billboard served two purposes. One is to get people who do not believe in religious rituals but practice them anyway to "come out". The other is a somewhat reactionary response. He says, "Every year, atheists get blamed for having a war on Christmas, even if we don't do anything," he said. "This year, we decided to give the religious right a taste of what war on Christmas looks like."
I'm Catholic, and I celebrate Christmas, and I completely respect and defend the right of the atheists to post their viewpoint on a billboard. This is America, where we have freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. And frankly, no matter how religious you are, when you've heard "Jingle Bell Rock" on the radio 60 times before December 4, it's easy to feel a bit assaulted.
It's not that atheists don't believe in a Christian God, they don't believe in ANY God. That's why I can't wait to see their other billboards that dispel the myths of other religions. This week begins Hanukkah. Will they put up a billboard somewhere saying "Be Reasonable — Why Light all Those Candles When You Can Just Turn on a Light?
I don't recall seeing any billboards during the month of the Muslim holiday Ramadan, but maybe I missed it. Was it something like "Fasting? Really? Is that Reasonable?" Perhaps the atheists have a message for the Islamic extremists that they will post ..."Is It Reasonable to Commit Violence in the Name of Someone That Doesn't Exist?"
During the Hindu Festival of Dussehra, we might be treated to a billboard of this type: "A Cow is Just a Cow. Be Reasonable."
Americans love differing viewpoints, and we love equal opportunity. If the message is that it's OK not to believe in God, then that message would be for ALL believers, not just a select few.
That seems reasonable to me.
Pam Lobley writes the "Now That's Funny" column. Sign up for her mailing list at www.pamlobley.com.
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So count me as an atheist who, despite understanding the motivation for it, thinks this billboard is a bad idea.
Idiots ....YOU have been good to them .There is no god or jesus just folklore that continues to feed the kitty .I give to the needy ,homeless, elderly ,animal rights ,the sick and the lonely directly fromMY pocket .How about you ?????
Or do you donate to the church for a TAX WRITE-OFF ????
Maybe Christians should think about what they're defending. Is Christmas a Christian holiday? Not really. It's been turned into one, adopted by Christians from an existing religion that had a similar holiday at the same time (Yule). Much like all the other "Christian" holidays.
Tell me what do Christmas trees, wrapped gifts, Santa, elves, flying deer, etc have to do with Christianity? Must've been in one of the scriptures the church voted to leave out of the bible eh?
And, don't bee silly author and get your panties all in a bunch. We won't see anti-mulsim or hindu or jewish billboards because those religions are a tiny minority compared to the amount of Christians. When you put up a billboard, you try and attract the largest demographic you can.
It's hard, being one of the masses, for you to see what it's like living on the other side, where you can't run for public office in some states if you don't check a box next to a religion or where the president of the united states can say that he doesn't consider atheists American citizens. Gotta love how a President can just casually dismiss one of the most important bits of the Constitution in the name of his religious beliefs. Can't imagine why atheists would want to go after Christians...
I am proud of my home state! Here in AZ we have an uphill battle, but we are making ourselves known.
I am a proud American Atheist!
I have to wonder why this gets you or any christian agitated. When I see a billboard asking me to "Find Jesus" or to "Get Saved" I never see any news stories or pundits discussing whether it is right or wrong for such a billboard to be posted. Why is our non belief not as valid as your belief?
Did you read your own article?
"Every year, atheists get blamed for having a war on Christmas, even if we don't do anything. This year, we decided to give the religious right a taste of what war on Christmas looks like."
I know many atheists who are closeted in India, and I think that would be something the Indian Atheists should do.
Judaism now accounts for about one percent of religious *world-wide.* Islam remains a very small minority religion in the U.S. If you're really concerned being "reasonably" fair, perhaps to be proportionate the atheists can get around to challenging Jewish tradition after they've devoted - what, perhaps a thousand? - billboards to Christianity.
That seems reasonable. Unless, of course, it's really cultural domination rather than fairness that the complaining Christians are intent on protecting.