American Atheists Target Christmas in Billboard

[Maximus]

I find it ineffective because most people will see:

A: The magi and a manger scene and not read the billboard fully
B: "Celebrate the reason for the season" is already a Christian catch-phrase, and it'd be easy to mix the two words... rendering it a pro-Christian billboard

Also, believing that Jesus of Nazareth was not born is a very unreasonable conclusion. It is very clear that he existed. Whether or not he was God can be debated.

 

[dannno]

Fuck off God is a man. God CANNOT logically be a man. A single creator cannot be a a sex that is a ying to a yang. That is blatant intelletual dishonesty. Perhaps ONE creator is a male. If that is the case I garuFUCKINtee you he has a female partner and there is more than one creator. .

Mormons believe in a Heavenly Mother, but they don't talk about her because she is too holy to speak of (but Heavenly Father is not)

 

[oyarde]

I find it ineffective because most people will see:

A: The magi and a manger scene and not read the billboard fully
B: "Celebrate the reason for the season" is already a Christian catch-phrase, and it'd be easy to mix the two words... rendering it a pro-Christian billboard

Also, believing that Jesus of Nazareth was not born is a very unreasonable conclusion. It is very clear that he existed. Whether or not he was God can be debated.

I pretty much thought the same , driving by , it will look like a Christmas card and if you did read it , appearances are that Jesus is a myth which is incorrect . Ineffective .

 

[idirtify]

No the central element is the explanation of: What God is and what HE wants from you.

Religions were incepted in times of RADICAL male dominance when woman were nothing but serfs for men. Therefore, God has been culturally prescribde as a man. That is BIG red flag. Fuck off God is a man. God CANNOT logically be a man. A single creator cannot be a a sex that is a ying to a yang. That is blatant intelletual dishonesty. Perhaps ONE creator is a male. If that is the case I garuFUCKINtee you he has a female partner and there is more than one creator. I'm not saying that is the case (which is my point, my human mind cannot explain existence)- I'm just saying that religious accounts of God and creation are assanine and ARROGANT to the Nth degree.

It is NOT the concept of God that is basis of religious indoctrination. That is a dangerous and widely believed misconception. It is the IMAGE of what/who God is and HIS intent and rules for humanity that are wildly dangerous (more so the ridiculous interpretations and changes to "The Books"). Which were, by the way, written and devised by HUMANS. See: history and reality.

You are splitting hairs. What else is the “concept of God”, other than what “he is and what he wants”?

Even though “god” is pretty much synonymous with “religion”, it appears you are trying to separate “religious accounts of God” from YOUR concept of god.

While it may be an improvement to reject all traditional accounts, I would not call it “smart” to retain the main element for absolutely no good reason.

I mean if “religious accounts of God and creation are assanine and ARROGANT”, how would ANY account (including yours) be any better?

 

[Seraphim]

You are splitting hairs. What else is the “concept of God”, other than what “he is and what he wants”?

Even though “god” is pretty much synonymous with “religion”, it appears you are trying to separate “religious accounts of God” from YOUR concept of god.

While it may be an improvement to reject all traditional accounts, I would not call it “smart” to retain the main element for absolutely no good reason.

I mean if “religious accounts of God and creation are assanine and ARROGANT”, how would ANY account (including yours) be any better?

Because I do not claim that I know what God is. I have no explanation. NONE. Could I let my imagination go wild and come up with plausible explanations? YUP. Would I write a book and claim that I KNOW what God is. NOPE.

That's the difference. I willingly say I DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD IS OR WHAT GOD EXPECTS OF US, IF ANYTHING AT ALL.

My reasoning for "keeping" the thought that there is SOMETHING that created this all, is that I cannot conclude that this all sort of just happened.

There IS an explanation. I just don't claim to know what it is. Furthermore, I do not let archaic power struggles define existence and creation for me.

 

[Baptist]

Didn't read this thread, but throw me in with the "Christians against Xmas" crowd. No Santa. No presents. No shopping. No family. No baby Jesus. No manger. I don't do pagan Christmas.

 

[idirtify]

Because I do not claim that I know what God is. I have no explanation. NONE. Could I let my imagination go wild and come up with plausible explanations? YUP. Would I write a book and claim that I KNOW what God is. NOPE.

That's the difference. I willingly say I DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD IS OR WHAT GOD EXPECTS OF US, IF ANYTHING AT ALL.

My reasoning for "keeping" the thought that there is SOMETHING that created this all, is that I cannot conclude that this all sort of just happened.

There IS an explanation. I just don't claim to know what it is. Furthermore, I do not let archaic power struggles define existence and creation for me.

So… it is “smart” to believe in a god, but only one with no definition? Hmm. I’m not clear on how one can “believe in” a word/thing which has no definition. But while I would not necessarily call that “smart”, it’s technically not any different than believing in no god. Seriously, I think you might want to click on the link in the OP and read about those who claim not to be atheists, but actually are.

 

[oyarde]

Didn't read this thread, but throw me in with the "Christians against Xmas" crowd. No Santa. No presents. No shopping. No family. No baby Jesus. No manger. I don't do pagan Christmas.

I am not giving up my pagan cultures yuel log and tree from the old world . Why no family ??

 

[FrankRep]

Didn't read this thread, but throw me in with the "Christians against Xmas" crowd. No Santa. No presents. No shopping. No family. No baby Jesus. No manger. I don't do pagan Christmas.

I view Christmas as a Western Cultural practice. I enjoy celebrating with friends and family.

 

[Dr.3D]

Didn't read this thread, but throw me in with the "Christians against Xmas" crowd. No Santa. No presents. No shopping. No family. No baby Jesus. No manger. I don't do pagan Christmas.

You and me both brother.
Not to mention the materialism of this pagan holiday.

 

[BlackTerrel]

In his appearance on Fox News, Silverman explained that the billboard has two aims. The first is to target “closet atheists” — those who participate in Christian activities while remaining unconvinced in their faith.

He continues, “The other part of the billboard is to call Christians out on their own history. Christmas is not the first nor the fifth nor the tenth holiday that places a god in the winter solstice. Many religions have placed their gods to be born on the winter solstice. Christianity is not unique in this subject and people need to understand that while Christmas is a Christian holiday, the season belongs to everyone.”

Silverman indicates that Christians were specifically targeted in this advertisement because Christians are the primary “offenders” in this case, as they insist upon saying “Merry Christmas” as opposed to “Happy Holidays” or other innocuous, non-Christian expressions.

Why does he care? What's the point? Why spend money on this...

 

[BlackTerrel]

It's a little hypocritical of Christians to complain about this. There are still "Blah blah blah -- God" billboards everywhere.

I'm not really offended. I mainly don't get it and think this dude is a jackass.

I get why Christians want to save others. I don't get why an atheist cares if someone chooses to believe in a religion.

I'm a Christian, but if you want to be an atheist fine. But isn't the whole point of an atheist that you don't believe it and don't care what others believe. Kind of like Adam Carolla says "I'm an atheist - I don't give a crap".

 

[BlackTerrel]

I'm agnostic, but I think the vast majority of Christian religions teach a perverted idol worshiping, pro-establishment version of religion that I find pretty sickening.

If this billboard wakes up the people who are being brainwashed into religion simply because they are following what is socially acceptable, and this helps them feel that their non-belief in their particular bullshit mainstream brand of Christian religion is socially acceptable, then I think the ad can and very well may be successful.

Not really going to happen.

I don't think anyone sees a billboard and says "you know what - Christianty - not for me".

Just makes the assholes who put it up feel smug and good about themselves.

 

[ClayTrainor]

I'm not really offended. I mainly don't get it and think this dude is a jackass.

I don't see a reason to think anyone is a jackass, unless you're somewhat offended.

I think the billboard will cause some people to take the time to question their beliefs, and it would be my guess that this is the goal of whoever funded it. They're promoting reason. Anything that gets people questioning their reality is fine by me.

 

[BlackTerrel]

I don't see a reason to think anyone is a jackass, unless you're somewhat offended.

I think the billboard will cause some people to take the time to question their beliefs, and it would be my guess that this is the goal of whoever funded it. They're promoting reason. Anything that gets people questioning their reality is fine by me.

Why? Why would an atheist care if someone has a belief that is different than theirs?

I imagine 99% of atheists just live their life and mind their business like everyone else. The problem is I don't see those people and I don't even know they're atheists.

It's always this 1% smug assholes who are on the news and posting billboards and talking shit and thinking they are better than everyone else. Although I believe it all comes from insecurity. If you know you are right why do you need to convince me?

 

[idirtify]

Why? Why would an atheist care if someone has a belief that is different than theirs?

I imagine 99% of atheists just live their life and mind their business like everyone else. The problem is I don't see those people and I don't even know they're atheists.

It's always this 1% smug assholes who are on the news and posting billboards and talking shit and thinking they are better than everyone else. Although I believe it all comes from insecurity. If you know you are right why do you need to convince me?

You argue that atheists should not disagree with Christian belief, and that if they do, they are “smug assholes/jackasses”…“talking shit and thinking they are better than everyone else” and showing “insecurity”. I’m curious; do you insult everyone who disagrees with another’s belief, or do you just reserve this special aggressive treatment for those who disagree with YOURS? Either way, I’m even more curious how you think you can remain consistent and credible while posting the numerous disagreements that you do here on LF?

Readers:
It seems the fog of religion has once again clouded reasonable perspective. Yet again, here is an example of an advocate of religion initiating aggression. With each one, the pattern becomes clearer.

 

[idirtify]

If you know you are right why do you need to convince me?

This is amazing. You have literally questioned the two most fundamental elements of this discussion forum; sharing information and making disagreements.

 

[Liberty4life]

christmas is a bogus Christian holiday anyway, telling your kids something you know is a lie? santa claus? satans claws my friends the winter solstice is about the rebirth of the sun god mithra, how do you think old timey people sold it to the european pagans, "oh mithra? thats really Jesus, see the halo it represents the sun, wanna join?"

 

[Liberty4life]

modern christianity is so far off base, the whole church establishment takes its cues from the catholic church, even the names of days and months are set by the catholic church, all romanic. they worshiped many gods, old testament names and holidays are set aside, its all to decieve people and take them away from YHVH.
even the atheist are caught in it.
please be kind to me idirtify

 

[Tinnuhana]

Hello to all the JW bloggers...if you are there. I am talking with a friend who is a Japanese JW and would like some insight as to why you support the liberty movement.
On another slightly-related topic: I think the fish emblems on cars are pretty funny. There's the traditional Christian Ichthus, then there's the Darwin fish with the legs, then there's the Christian fish swallowing the Darwin fish. My favorite, though, is the Gefilte fish. Nice sense of humor.