Atheist sign joins nativity scene

The Atheist have their holiday.
I don't know why they are so upset.
It falls on April 1

April FOOLS day.

Psalms 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

This article proves again the bitterness in their heart.
No wonder.... Fruits of God are love, peace joy.....

why do religious people have to classify everyone in a religous way

I am a person of the world isn't that good enough

I do push my beliefs,
but to an extent of letting everyone know how i belive and maybe life for everyone will get better

take it or leave it i do not care

PS, lots of religious people are calling Washington Governor Gregoire's office to complain, I'm calling tomorrow to say thanks, finally a non-religious perspective will be seen. I appreciate that in a climate where religion has become a requirement.

You can call too, and say thanks! I needed that freedom from religion!

Give Governor Gregoire's Office a Call:
Governor's Office 360-902-4111

Hallelujah! Freedom from Religion! Thanks so much to the folks that approved the sign, and the folks that posted it!

The US has been moving into theocracy with the Christian fundamentalists taking over government. Although I think they are mostly charletons, some are not, like Sarah Palin. She's for real, an end timer, a dinosaur denier, a apocolyptist. We dodged a bullet on that one!

Bush's war on Iraqis was his mission from God, God was telling him what to do he said. I think it was really Rove, talking real deep from behind the curtain, but its all history now.

As Bill Maher said, Athiests and Agnostics make up 19% of the population in the US, that's more than any one religion. But we have been silent for fear of retribution from the people who brandish dogma like a weapon. We need to speak up and stand up for freedom from religion and bring some sanity to our world before it is too late.

Remember, if you think it is the end times, why would you care about global warming, or species extinction. If you think God is on your side, you might think war is justified.

Atheists are not unhappy people, they are free people, happy to not live in fear of a "loving god", happy to not live with sexual oppression or religious hierarchy, happy to be able to respect and admire all peoples and all perspectives without fear and hatred.

Jammer said "They don't NEED to be heard. They WANT to be heard because they are jealous of those that are being listened to." What? Of course they want to be heard- but what is the difference between "needing to be heard" and "wanting to be heard" in society? How do you determine which ones need it and which ones want it?

Chillwill said "Why is it never Atheism vs Islam or some other religion?" I don't know that it has to be Atheism VERSE anything, unless you consider all view points in competition with each other. However, Atheists don't believe in anyone's god; it's not just Christianity. In America, where the majority of people are Christian, these types of things usually revolve around the Christian faith because that is what is promoted. As for right now it's also Christmas time, so that might have something to do with it. However you should not get the impression that Atheists target specifically Christians or the Christian god.

Why is it never Athieism VS. Islam? or some other religion?

GREAT! Christmas should be about family, and religion, it is refreshing to see people discussing this over what unnecessary expensive gift they greedily want. I am not a christian but i think we only have to look to the k mart horror story to see how this holiday is just consumerism gone mad, Santa is red because of coca cola for er, gods, sake!

If I were an Atheist I would have done this display different. But I'm not.

It's like some Christians showing up at the abortion clinic with billboards of an unborn fetus. I am of Christian faith, but I don't agree with that either.

I don't like anyone shoving their beliefs and non-beliefs down my throat.

I don't like people telling me all the time that I need to and have to go to church, I've seen a lot of BS in church's and choose no to.

I don't agree that non-believers are gonna burn in hell.

I also don't celebrate Christmas and all the BS that goes along with it. The origin of celebrating Christmas had nothing to do with Christ, BS!

I don't care what other people believe in or if they don't believe in anything at all, I enjoy the fact that we all have the right to choose.

I read plenty of the arguments and I see valid points made on each side.

I can see why Christian's were bothered. Yes the message was a bit inflammatory.
But don't get your panties in a bunch! It's public and free for those to express as they like.

I can also see why Atheist say "chill out, you Christian's do it all the time" and I know how some of these super-Christians can be, it's irritating!
But I'm sure you can see some issues with the message posted.

But it all comes down to stereotypical BS.

Every Christian doesn't hate and want to convert non-believers, I am proof.

And I know for a fact every Atheist doesn't hate and wanna upset Christians.

Let's ALL rid ourselves of these narcissistic attitudes and embrace our differences.

Now on to the next topic, because this certainly wasn't news! Just a lil' oil added to the religious & nonbeliever zealots flame.

The state capitol is no place for religious displays. The state capitol is no place for anti-religious. A very important issue is being bandied about and misused. Seperation of church and state is one of the cornerstones of our form of government. Respect for each others beliefs or lack of is basic if we are going have a constructive dialogue on the matter.

I have recently made the switch to Atheism, however i still don't see why we should be forcing our message on others, just like when religion is pushed on us atheist. There is fine live between suggesting and harassing others.

There are religions of hatred, and there are also religions of love. To generalize and say that all religion "hardens hearts" is stupid.

I am an atheist, and I got some giggles from the Atheist Christmas cards, and I've found some of the billboards to be interesting. But this trend is making atheism more like a religion as people activiely try to recruite, and that I do not appreciate.

What I've taken from the comments on this board:

People continue to have many misconceptions about Atheists including (but not limited to) Atheists all think the same thing, Atheists are 100% sure there is no god, Atheists are arrogant meanies who only want to piss off religion (Christians specifically, apparently), Atheism is some kind of 'new religion', Atheists believe 'in nothing'.

As long as these misunderstandings continue to prevail and people refuse to listen to or understand that Atheists POV, these types of signs/billboards/adverts will continue.

As an atheist, I do think this sign went overboard in it's assertion that religion "hardens hearts"- do I think they needed to bring it to a specifically negative place? No. I try not to do that myself because I think just like any other viewpoint, the best way to prove it is through actions. If Atheists are trying to say that we are good people without god or religion and that we want respect, we need to SHOW that to others through the way we behave.

Like I said earlier however, Atheists are a minority who's viewpoint is scary to others, therefore dismissed and hated on easily- but it's not going away any time soon. Instead of being defensive about it, why don't we listen to each other?

I had an idea
-I was watching these working guys headed to work in the morning. Driving their angry trucks, hard acceleration - coffee, they're wasting no time. Reving engines echo. Rapping exhaust pipes.
I thought, wouldn't the world be happy if they all just stopped?
The birds would come out, the Deer and their fawns would graze along side browsing horses - along the over-growing roads.
Everybody just stay home, make love to their spouse - make babies. Grow gardens. No more cars, no more work, work, work. No more chaos.
Just everybody and everything happy - in the beautiful mornings.
Just the whole grinding, ugly mess, just stop.
What do ya think?

Jules quoted Ezekiel 25:17 in Pulp Fiction, I am going to quote it now for better effect:

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

I always thought that the best thing about atheists was that they knew that tying to convert people was fudged up and annoying, and so they would never do it themselves.

atheists are supposed to be cool. this, here, is not cool.

whats the name of your club

Intro to World Religions is a required college course, here is a brief outline:
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/

"With our global society, it is likely that in your lifetime you will meet people from every corner of the planet. Understanding the religious beliefs of these people is one of the many steps which mankind must take in order to someday prosper together in peace."

If you don't want peace, you must want war, a war on religion and religious people. Which outnumber Atheists 100 to 1 world wide.

It would do some of you some good to read a book instead of burning it:

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-World-Religions-Christopher-Partridge/dp/0800...

Bill Maher: "If Santa Claus can hit every house in the world." Steve Berg: "No, we don't believe in Santa Claus." Bill Maher: "Of course not, that's one man flying all around the world and dropping presents down a chimney. One man hearing everybody murmer at him at the same time, that I get."

"ha"

Seattle is a shining light... a beacon on a hill

One thing is to put up a sign that says "Happy Winter Solstice"....

ANOTHER.. is to put up a sign that says "Happy Winter Solstice.. oh and by the way Religion is all myth bla blah "

Its not necessary.

I think that atheists having and using their right to think and to share their thoughts is a beautiful thing, namely in this case. I hope that they do, however, continue to do so even outside of this traditionally religious season, so as to not seem antagonistic.

I truly believe that atheists don't seek to merely bust Christian balls (so to speak), but rather aim to have their voices heard and their beliefs (or lack thereof) legitimized.

The main mistake that everyone is making is to equate religion (organized religion, that is) with belief in god. It also seems popular to give people tags like 'Christians', 'Athiests', etc.

Religion really has nothing to do with whether people believe in God. Believing in God or a higher power of any kind has something to do with spirituality. These are two quite different things.

Since when does religion have something to do with believing in God?

Ah, what a cute and ignorant sign. I thought atheism was about the non-existence of any gods, not forming a new religion out of intolerance for those in different BELIEF groups. Atheism is not an axiom -- it takes just as much faith to believe there is no god as there is to believe one does exist.

I think a more laudable thing to do would act out of JOY, not HATE. Here's an example: point out that the "Christmas" tree is a pagan druidic symbol based on nature. Voila! It's fun AND non-theistic!

This is truely despicable. What are atheists so afraid of? Better be Hell! If you chose not to believe in God then don't believe but please don't start acting like Peta and cause mayhem.

What, and they have to choose Christmas as the right time to put up their "placard"? Choose your time better atheists!

I don't really see a difference between what that sign says and what Adolph Hitler and the Nazis said about Jewish people and Christians and Gypsies and their religion.

Hitler believed in Nietzsche and his philosophy that God was dead and so was religion, and also Evolution meant his people were superior to the superstitious and wrong religious people.

That sign is written like it is out of Hitler's own book.

Beware, Hitler too started out as a liberal artist, but once he started to attack religious people he crossed the line.

Free speech says the Nazis can say what they want in public and hold parades as well. But it is still hate speech.

The Nativity scene, for example, does not call non-Christians as wrong or superstitious or say that only their religion is right. It does not do personal attacks and strawmen arguments.

Now if that sign said Happy Winter Solstice, while we don't believe in Christmas or God or the supernatural, we agree with the message of peace on Earth and goodwill to all. That would not be hate speech.

Oh come on all you religious folks complaining about the hooligan atheists, get over your self pity for being a Christian. If your faith is all you people claim it to be, a little challenge should be welcomed not seen as an attack. Oh and remember that paranoia will destroy ya, so don't think atheists are out to get you. They are just trying to get people to think. I hope you realize you would not be Christian had you been born in certain regions like India or Indonesia. You are Christian most likely because of where you were born not because it is the "right" religion.

Atheist ego strikes again.

I struggled for years with the choices concerning religion/Lack of religion. Ultimately, in my opinion, both modern religion and atheism have it wrong. The end all result of everything, including science, is that we do not KNOW anything indefinately. Our religions get proved wrong by science. Science proves itself wrong daily.
As we continue to grow on this tiny spec in our universe there is only one single constant...everything changes.
For this reason, logic *should* bind us to leave our hearts and minds open, not to be tethered by any single set of ideals, but to be acceptant of new ideas and do all we can to live happily and peacefully in our time on earth.
Stop the anger and hate against religion, and stop the propaganda mongering against those who do not believe the same as you do.
Under it all, we all have the same fundamental beliefs and wants. We want to live comfortably for ourselves and our loved ones.
"Cant we all just get along?"

If it is not a hate or fear thing than explain to me why, their sign has to go directly next to the nativity. If this is truly what they feel, why don't they just gather somewhere and carry signs that say, "we don't believe in a damn thing". What right does something like the ACLU have in telling me I can't show public affection for my beliefs? The ACLU is like the Romans who fed the Christians to the lions. Why do they tremble from the word of God?

Good grief, religious beliefs aside for a sec, this started with a "Capitol Holiday Kids Tree," that "is sponsored by the Association of Washington Business and tied to a charity drive for needy families. It's been a Capitol fixture for nearly 20 years."
HOLIDAY TREE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES. Can't people ever think about anyone but there selves for once?
The town is getting themselves into a world of crud if you ask me. Since it was originally meant to be for charity, it should have remained that way, maybe finding a way to incorporate different beliefs ON the tree or something. I seriously doubt those needy families and children can't think for themselves and surely have more serious issues to deal with every day.

"Welcome to the age of the atheist." I wish that were true, but it isn't so, not yet and not in the USA. We are just now getting to the point where Atheism is tolerated, but barely. If all of the ultra religious keep arguing each other, further dividing over intricacies, and spawning extremist movements, we may grow in popularity.

Not the particular set of words I would have chosen, but none-the-less, a positive that it's there.

As an atheist this annoys me. I'm sick and tired of religion and religious ideology being forced on me but I am big enough to ignore it. I see no reason why atheists should be doing the same.

Atheists in the scope of Philosphy seems to be the next turning point in Human History. It promises to be a kinder gentler way to exist. Hierarchal religious societies like the USA are struggling in modernity and Mother Earth will benefit under a Atheist Society much better + look at Communism with a base in Atheism they seem to be doing quite well. I think a majority of religious people have spent more time Christmas shopping than reading or practicing scripture... a little hippocritical I think. Humans always turn to what puts food on the table and Atheism is like the all nite diner.

the need to clump people into a genre is the problem just be a person

Happy Festivus, a holiday for the rest of us.

Geez someone's getting a lump for Christmas!

Oh holy spaghetti monster, help us through these difficult times when meatballs are so scarce and cheese is but a dream.

If Christians can spout their non sense than atheists should be allowed to spout their non sense as well. Fair is fair. Funny how the Christians get all bent out of shape when another view is expressed. Might this be because Christians are intolerant?

if it weren't for advertising and consumerism i bet religion wouldn't even be so big...megachurches and what not

Hmmm...it's like a disclaimer.

At what point are the religious people going to be forced to say/admit "We know the story isn't real, but it makes us happy anyway."

Then you will have a completely separate argument for science arguing the state of living delusionally happy.

Hey, it's not different that advertising and consumerism that create a psychological, sociological state of being.

wait so atheists aren't allowed to "upset people" but christians can tell everyone who doesn't share their beliefs that they are going to "burn in hell" and what not?

and im still waiting to read a good argument opposing the idea that religion enslaves minds...anyone?

I have a message to my atheist brethren:

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN RIGHT?

I accept the fact that I might, just possibly, be wrong. I don't believe in God, but there's no proof that God exists, nor is there proof God doesn't exist. It's likely that most religions are not right about anything, but there's a slight possibility that, perhaps, God exists, or something close to what we think of as "God."

Both the far left and far right take things too far.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against atheists, but this sign is taking it a bit too far.

"There is only our natural world."

Define natural...

"Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

You want to harden hearts and enslave minds? Okay, go watch the television for an hour.

Personally, I'm a Christian, but if I have to shove my beliefs on you, they haven't been presented in the right way. Unless you willingly accept them, nothing has changed.

i dont think its so offensive as all that.

im glad that opinion is included there with the others; something rare to see.

To Christians, Merry Christmas ...
To Jews, Happy Hanukkah ...
To Atheists, Good luck ...

=-D ...

Nativity scenes on public property cross the line pure and simple. No religion should be flaunted in the public like that. The same with the ten commandments being posted on that courthouse awhile ago.

Some atheists can be just as intolerant as highly ignorant bible-thumping coservatives.

It is hate speech pure and simple.

A personal attack on religions, just like that Darwin thread.

This makes other Atheists look bad, but thankfully not all Atheists are like that.

It is a sign that Scrooge might use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebenezer_Scrooge

Or The Grinch:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grinch

The sign does not prove what it says, and only attacks religion and religious people via hate speech.

Come on Delia, you are better than this. This sign is the equivalent of the KKK burning a cross on an African-American's family's lawn. Only it is Atheists burning the crosses on Christians this time.