What do you think of anti-Christmas billboards?

I don’t really see what their point is. If a Christian sees the billboard they will suddenly stop believing? It’s too “in your face” for me.

I’ve also seen one that says “if you don’t believe in Christ you will go to hell.” Again, too in your face for me.

I have no issue with it. I’ve certainly seen plenty of aggressive Christian advertising.

I prefer this one

I don’t know. If I’m going to imagine any outrage here, it would be for the fact that billboards are allowed to exist.

Comments about “militant atheism” aside (can we retire this an other Fox News-isms?), I’m not sure this will be effective in any way. I agree that it is making a connection between xmas and religion, which to us Northerners does not seem to be there. The “keep Christ in Christmas” thing is already a bit strange – and feels a bit more “put Christ in Christmas”. So, making a connection for the religious – that xmas is about Christ – seems wrong and counter-productive. Also, this may have been revolutionary or controversial 10–15 years ago. But rates of secularism are increasing. I suspect much of it is due to the “militant” atheism that apparently is so hated. Let’s let this continue to grow and stop pretending that it’s 2000.

To be honest, I have more of a problem with the consumer/capitalist side of xmas than the religious nonsense. If we’re going to litter the landscape with ridiculous billboards, how about one that addresses the sustainability or morality of this consumerism?

Anyway, we need more atheist billboards.

There’s only one thing more pointless & irritating than an in your face, bible thumping religionist & that’s an in your face, attention seeking anti religionist.
Shut up you fucking boring twats!

^ Really?

^ Really, really, really

@ucme – Does this formula apply outside of this topic?

the only thing worse than [x] = someone who actively opposes [x]

Or is the “attention seeking” qualifier an important part? Do you really, really, really believe that people in the US that attempt to fight against religion are “attention seeking”, and have no other motivations?

No, just for this particular topic.
I think you may be over-egging the pudding somewhat, do try & keep up man.

I agree with @ucme it is boring. Not the question by the way, since I found it respectful and raising a good point. I come from a city that had many diverse cultures. That meant we celebrated (as a city) Diwali, Ramadan, Christmas and some others that I can’t recall. There were Catholics, Anglicans, re-born as well as spiritualists and occult.

When I say we celebrated, we certainly did. I hear more Muslims stuffed their faces at Christmas than Christmas celebrators. Hindus had the most over loaded shopping carts.

My point is that, who cares. We can choose to celebrate it or not. Plus that billboard kind of lumps all atheists into one basket. Just like all Christians or Muslims are lumped into one basket. Which basically shows ignorance. Ignorance is ironic when you consider that some groups are pushing their points across to others.

The primary idea is respect. Understanding different cultures, taking what you like and leaving the rest. It is also about tolerance, patience and good spirit. That is for ALL the religious dates I have mentioned.

To imagine we are all the same is insane. That means you are all like me and so are a bit loopy and insane!

Embrace religion or don’t, just stop banging on about it either way, really is most unbecoming.
Now you must excuse me, I have to buff my brogues, off out for a seasonal meal with the wife.

Sometimes I feel bad, but then I remember some religious people had the chance to respect the fact they were the majority and completely abused it: Some states won’t allow atheists to run for office (still), the plentiful tax breaks, the pro-lifers verbally abusing women trying to get an abortion (an already horrific experience for the woman) etc. I mean it would be different if american christians weren’t bullies since you know….societies inception.

Social progress and change isn’t easy, someone has to be loud on our side, too.

I think, even though I too am an atheist, that anyone that pushes their beliefs on others is in the wrong. Live and let live and keep your opinions to yourself. Land of the free right? Free to worship in whatever manner one chooses.

Atheists that pull this crap are no different than militant religious freaks that peddle the good word door to door. Same rope, different ends.

13 year old me would have liked this. Now, this just screams edgy and euphoric to me. I tip my fedora to the gent[le]sir that made this :^)

I have my personal beliefs and don’t feel like I have to justify or convince anyone to believe as I do. To each his own. I grow weary of the constant battle between different belief systems. I have made up my mind about what I believe, I am comfortable with it and that is all that matters. It seems silly to try to persuade individuals to believe one way or the other. It is a very personal issue.

I think it’s rude. What business is it of anyone’s whether a person believes in God or not? Why do they even care?

I’d add that I am “spiritual” believing in the interconnectedness of everything, regardless of whether an omnipotent creator exists. I lean towards eastern philosophy but I certainly am not going to give Buddha statues to everyone I know. I embrace all good works regardless. I could have Xmas lights, a manger scene, a buddhist alter and chinese lanterns all in my house at any given time. lol

@Dutchess_III

What would think of this, or this or this?

They’re useless clutter. I ignore them.

@Darth_Algar
1) Stupid
2) Ignore
3) Ignore.

If the Christians really believe you’ll go to hell if you don’t believe then that’s actually a good reason to try and convert people. However, I think it’s money at the root of trying to convert people, not souls.

So…..“rude” when non-believers do it, but “just ignore it” when believers do it.

I ignore it. Christmas has always been the season that brings the maggots out of the woodwork due to fear of religious beliefs. It drives them nuts to see people and families happy.I guess I should feel sorry for them? Nah…

Believers are trying to “save” you, or so they believe. Atheists aren’t trying to save anyone.

So as long as someone thinks they’re doing you a favor that excuses whatever rude, condescending, intrusive or, in some cases, downright aggressive behavior they display?

If anyone wants to put up a billboard it should be reflective of EVERY religious and non-religious choice. Nobody holds the monopoly on universal truth.

@Coloma How big is your billboard?

@Adirondackwannabe Yeah, it would be a pretty big billboard, I’ll just put ” Give geese a chance!” and “Geese on earth, goodwill to hens.” lol

“Geese lives matter.”

I don’t like billboards of any description, they are not only boring they are ugly.

This is just a byproduct of co-existence – a clash of all the various cultures. The golden rule is not a universal moral recognition. Morality does not mean equity. For example, the values of the golden rule are antithetical to the values of other religions and individuals that find virtue in self-assertion, a will-to-power. cults, clans, or tribes while excluding and branding others as outsiders, heretics, or infidels. That is why the positive form of the golden rule treat your neighbor as you want to be treated is flawed. Outsiders, heretics and infidels don’t deserve to be treated in goodwill which is based on subjective standards. They’re not considered neighbors and brothers. See anti-atheist billboards.

This rule also deprives others of a chance to formulate their own morality. No principle of equity would be sufficient to make people see the value of self-sacrifice.

Using your own golden rule argument in its negative form, the billions of people who believe that a person’s lot in life (including his suffering) is caused by karma would then perceive “don’t do things you wouldn’t want to have done to you.” as a rule to not help those who are suffering and leave them alone since it would be interpreted as it is in their best interest to suffer because then the person will achieve penance, enlightenment, or moksha.

A different answer: freedom of speech and because emotional harm is objectively unverifiable and practically irrelevant.

I do not see it as rude. I see it as thought provoking. If one thinks God a myth in a bottle and the Biblical accounts the same as fairy tales, is it any better teaching kids of a jolly fat man that knows who is good or bad like God? Not only that, with his elves and reindeer can fly over the entire planet, (at least to those nations wealthy enough to have big box department stores) and give every child his/her heart’s desire, even passed locked doors and security systems.

I like science, it always leads back to what God has done.

I too think it’s a mistake to bait believers. The demonic look on the kid’s face doesn’t help dissuade one from the assertion that “atheists are evil”. It seems that it might be more prudent to save the money for billboards countering efforts to “repeal” evolution or compel school prayer.

They just feed the “War on Christianity” nonsense. It’s useless. Huge waste of money that would be better spent caring for poor people.

And we could apply the “you should use that money to help the poor” argument to just about every one of us and just about every organization out there.

Yep. But billboards are a substantial outlay every month.

^ What activity that is not caring for poor people is justified using the “could be caring for poor people” argument?

@Dutchess_III

How much do you spend on superfluous stuff each month?

Not much. Certainly not upwards of $500 or more!

all you really need is food and shelter.
So you do not need electricity, heating, telephone and internet, or television.
You do not need soap either.
Washing your clothes is unnecessary, too.
Not to mention cigarettes and alcohol.
As for food and drink, bread and water is more than enough. The scurvy will take take of your need to indulge in the luxury of brushing your teeth.

@Dutchess_III

But certainly more than you need to. That money could be used to help the poor.

Well, I’m not spending a dime on trying to convince other people that they are wrong.

MYOB comes to mind. If everyone just minded their own biz. the world would be a better place. God knows ( pun intended ) that being obsessed with changing others makes you a codependent. Gah!

I second that @Coloma!

^ Right. If it doesn’t affect you personally, then you shouldn’t do anything about it. Slavery? Mind your own business. Reproductive rights? The rights of the minority? Pfft. Let the minority deal with it. MYOB.

That’s not what she’s talking about. She’s talking about not trying to change superstitious beliefs as long as they aren’t hurting any one.

Now, Westboro is a different story. They’re cruel and need to be shut down.

Westboro are just walking billboards and are no more harmful than stationary billboards.

They cause emotional pain to others, and they do it deliberately.

@hominid I think you get what I meant, don’t complicate a pretty simple statement. I’m not advocating looking away if you see someone beating a dog in the street or raping someone, obviously.

@Coloma: “I think you get what I meant, don’t complicate a pretty simple statement. I’m not advocating looking away if you see someone beating a dog in the street or raping someone, obviously.”

MYOB is a very dangerous idea. I wasn’t sure what you meant by it. Still not.

@Dutchess_III: “That’s not what she’s talking about. She’s talking about not trying to change superstitious beliefs as long as they aren’t hurting any one.”

Is that what she meant? Didn’t we just go through this yet again – how beliefs inform our actions, etc? From my perspective, I can’t see how “not hurting anyone” could apply here. I feel as though we’re talking in circles – as though every single conversation we’ve had over the past years about this stuff has been forgotten. Serious question: Are you just trying to get fluther moving again by intentionally trolling for a bit of activity/controversy?

Yes that’s what she meant.

@hominid MYOB is a very sound idea in our personal lives, don’t meddle in others business, don’t try to change, control, or otherwise foist your opinions on others as ultimate truths. It ties in perfectly with this discussion about certain militant groups that think they have a right to preach to others rather than allow everyone the freedom to choose what they want to believe.
Pretty simple.

^ It’s a decidedly American individualist stance. It’s difficult to discuss this in the context of a belief system that is motivating the lives of most people in this country – how they vote, how they treat other people, what they allow their kids to learn, who is allowed to marry, etc.

I’ve tried many times here over the years to explain this in terms other than religious belief, which enjoys unjustified immunity.

I believe that women are biologically inferior in every way. This is my belief. It’s mine, and we respect beliefs. Do not ridicule my idea or demand evidence. Do not show me scientific evidence that my belief is invalid. And do not tell me that my beliefs will lead to immoral behavior. Remember, my beliefs are mine. MYOB. Now, just imagine if an overwhelming majority of the country held my beliefs, and the belief was required to get elected in this country, and everyone you met had this belief and was infecting their children with it.

SMH

@hominid I get what you’re saying overall, however, again, I am not advocating MYOB when serious harm might result, like your example of propagating the harmful myth of inferior biology by sex. Apples and oranges. Putting up a billboard claiming God is a fairytale serves no purpose nor does it change anyones beliefs. This is not on the same continuum as putting up a billboard to stop female genital mutilation. C’mon..really, must you spur a placid pony into a lather?

@Coloma: “Apples and oranges.”

It’s very much apples and apples. But I suppose we are unlikely to come to some agreement here.

Why are you doing this @hominid? It’s about billboards and Christmas. I fully agree with Coloma that in THIS situation MYOB is called for.

@hominid As I always say, pick your poison.
Trying to educate people that chopping off little girls genitals in the name of religion or custom is inhumane is not even close to the basic live & let live philosophy of personal beliefs as long as nobody is being harmed. When serious harm results then we get involved otherwise, yes, MYOB. Okay…horse dead