♪'Tis the season to be hatin'♪: Atheists Wage War On Christmas In Times Square.

[Bradyns]

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[IMG]http://i.huffpost.com/gen/898888/thumbs/o-AMERICAN-ATHEISTS-CHRISTMAS-BILLBOARD-570.jpg?6[/IMG]
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The 2012 American Atheists 'myth' billboard
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[IMG]http://i.huffpost.com/gen/898149/thumbs/o-AMERICAN-ATHEISTS-CHRISTMAS-BILLBOARD-570.jpg?6[/IMG]
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[B]American Atheists Place 2012 'Myth' Holiday Billboard In Times Square: 'Keep The Merry, Dump The Myth' [/B]

The American Atheists group wants to share the "true meaning of the holidays" with the masses. As part of that effort, members have put up a billboard in New York City's Times Square that reads, "Keep the Merry! Dump the Myth!"

On the billboard, "merry" is accompanied by a picture of Santa, while "myth" sits below a picture of a Jesus statue.

“The true beauty of the season -- family, friends, and love -- have nothing to do with the gods of yesteryear," Teresa MacBain, the group's communications director, said in a press release. "Indeed, the season is far more enjoyable without the religious baggage of guilt and judgmentalism.”

“We know that a large population of Christians are actually atheists who feel trapped in their family's religion," David Silverman, President of American Atheists, said of the billboard. "If you know God is a myth, you do not have to lie and call yourself Christian in order to have a festive holiday season. You can be merry without the myth, and indeed, you should.”

[B]The billboard will be displayed in Times Square through Jan. 10.[/B]

The group has made a tradition of erecting similar billboards every December, as part of a campaign critics have labeled "entirely unreasonable, inflammatory," and a "below the belt crusade."

In 2011, the American Atheists billboard read, "37 Million Americans know MYTHS when they see them... What myths do you see?” The phrase ran with four pictures: one of Jesus, Santa, Poseidon and the devil.

At the time, a pastor told the Christian Post that the sign showed ignorance.

"Only the most dense and simple-minded person would put [Jesus] in the same category as the other three," the pastor said. "Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name -- religious leader and teacher -- around 2,000 years ago"

In 2010, several billboards featured phrases such as, "You Know It's A Myth. This Season, Celebrate Reason."

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Source:
[URL]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/american-atheists-christmas-billboard-times-square_n_2273314.html[/URL]
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[bunnyspy1]

this is just silly
live and let live, guys! a billboard won't make people change their beliefs, just make them mad.

[ATribeCalledQ]

LETS RUIN EVERYONE FUCKING HOLIDAYS BECAUSE WE THINK THAT PEOPLE LIKE A FAIRY TALE TOO MUCH DOESNT THAT PISS YOU OFF OMFGHFDGDFGDFG PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID WHY ARE THEY SO STUPID JESUS ISNT EVEN REAL OMFG HES FAKKKE HOW CAN YOU BEELIEEVE IN SOMETHING SO FAKE YOUR WHOLE LIVES MUST BE A LIE YOUR ARE ALL STUPID SHEEPLE GET WITH THE PROGRAM ITS 2012 FAGGOTS

[sp]I'm being sarcastic you chucklefucks I shouldnt even have to put this in my post god what is wrong with all of you[/sp]

[ROFLBURGER]

[quote]At the time, a pastor told the Christian Post that the sign showed ignorance.[/quote]

This is probably the only time I've ever agreed with a pastor.

[lordcrypto]

all things considered, they make a good point (you can have christmas without christ)

buttt its a terrible way to go about it and the pastor makes a good point as well. there was a dude named jesus that built some houses or what not

[Sixer]

[QUOTE=ATribeCalledQ;38802473]LETS RUIN EVERYONE FUCKING HOLIDAYS BECAUSE WE THINK THAT PEOPLE LIKE A FAIRY TALE TOO MUCH DOESNT THAT PISS YOU OFF OMFGHFDGDFGDFG PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID WHY ARE THEY SO STUPID JESUS ISNT EVEN REAL OMFG HES FAKKKE HOW CAN YOU BEELIEEVE IN SOMETHING SO FAKE YOUR WHOLE LIVES MUST BE A LIE YOUR ARE ALL STUPID SHEEPLE GET WITH THE PROGRAM ITS 2012 FAGGOTS[/QUOTE]

[img]http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/wake_up_sheeple.png[/img]

[shian]

But Santa isn't real

Praise Jesus

[Tucan Sam]

Wow just wow, I mean really? Okay we get it you don't believe in a said religion, do you really have to go pay billboards and such for it? I acknowledge there are some Christians that take it a bit far but does that justify this? No.

[Faz]

Sigh STOP BELIEVING WHAT I DONT BELIEVE IN

[Sr.]

[QUOTE=Tucan Sam;38802513]Wow just wow, I mean really? Okay we get it you don't believe in a said religion, do you really have to go pay billboards and such for it? I acknowledge there are some Christians that take it a bit far but does that justify this? No.[/QUOTE]

If religious people can do it why can't atheists?

[mac338]

[QUOTE=Sr.;38802537]If religious people can do it why can't atheists?[/QUOTE]

Both [I]can[/I] and both [I]shouldn't.[/I]

[ATribeCalledQ]

[QUOTE=Sr.;38802537]If religious people can do it why can't atheists?[/QUOTE]

omfg big stupid ass thread ruining debate in
3.
2.
1.

[POLOPOZOZO]

[QUOTE=bunnyspy1;38802466] just make them mad.[/QUOTE]

oh
nooooooo~
Someone, call the police!!!!!!!!!

[Corn]

Religion is a bad thing and I believe we should get rid of it as soon as possible, but we should not be dicks about it

[Kingy_ME]

[QUOTE=ATribeCalledQ;38802473]LETS RUIN EVERYONE FUCKING HOLIDAYS BECAUSE WE THINK THAT PEOPLE LIKE A FAIRY TALE TOO MUCH DOESNT THAT PISS YOU OFF OMFGHFDGDFGDFG PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID WHY ARE THEY SO STUPID JESUS ISNT EVEN REAL OMFG HES FAKKKE HOW CAN YOU BEELIEEVE IN SOMETHING SO FAKE YOUR WHOLE LIVES MUST BE A LIE YOUR ARE ALL STUPID SHEEPLE GET WITH THE PROGRAM ITS 2012 FAGGOTS

[sp]I'm being sarcastic you chucklefucks I shouldnt even have to put this in my post god what is wrong with all of you[/sp][/QUOTE]

The dumbs are because it isn't funny, sarcasm or not.

[binkow]

[QUOTE=Sr.;38802537]If religious people can do it why can't atheists?[/QUOTE]

Two wrongs don't make a right.. I'm religious (well.. a tiny bit anyways..), and even though 90% of my friends are atheist, I don't shove it in their face and they don't do it to me.

[Puni]

Whats the point being athiest if you do shit like this?

I dont believe.
I dont believe religion
I dont believe in acting like a bellend when it comes to things I dont believe.

[bunnyspy1]

[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;38802599]oh
nooooooo~
Someone, call the police!!!!!!!!![/QUOTE]

hey I don't know what you're trying to get at
I'm just saying that the billboard really isn't going to do anything

[J-Dude]

Actually, I'm totally with the billboard's sentiment.

I just don't see the point in trying to piss the Christians off over Christmas.

I agree, you can celebrate Secular Christmas and keep all the good stuff while dumping the religious stuff. Pretty much everything we relate to Christmas that isn't a nativity scene or a few Christmas songs has nothing to do with the religious aspect of it. The Bible even tends to reject the pagan aspects, like decorating trees and stuff.

Of course you'll have a Christian say, "you can't do that, "Christ" is in the NAME!"

Well, "Thor" is in Thursday... do YOU give a shit?

As to what the pastor says about calling Jesus a myth, I actually agree with him that there more than likely WAS a historical Jesus, much like there was a historical Saint Nicolas. The myth they REFER to is the stuff about healing the sick, water to wine, resurrecting the dead and becoming patient zero to a miniature zombie plague.

So yeah, I'm in agreement with the signmakers, but it's the kind of thing I'd be explaining to Christians when they realize I celebrate Secular Christmas and that I'm not under their religion.

I dunno, it's like, atheist organizations notice the utter paucity of their own billboards compared to religious ones, but then again, I'm not sure a billboard is the best platform with which to dictate a message. The "Don't believe in god? You're not alone." boards were probably the best, because they were invitations to other atheists, not a middle-finger to theists.

I dunno, unless you're REALLY careful about what message you're putting out, sometimes the winning move is not to play. We can do better than billboards anyway...

[Tucan Sam]

[QUOTE=Sr.;38802537]If religious people can do it why can't atheists?[/QUOTE]

I am Christian and I really am tired of seeing both sides take pot shots on how [I]more right[/I], each side it. I believe one thing, you believe another, okay we get it, people make their own choices. I think each person is able to voice their opinion on beliefs but this is just overboard. How about instead of putting up billboards on how right/wrong each other is we enjoy the seasons, people, and time together.

[Spudgun]

Fuck sake, this kind of behaviour makes me ashamed to be an Athiest.

[a dumb bear]

Why can't everyone just accept each others beliefs and not be dicks?

[Deunan]

you know, something tells me that it doesn't matter what americans believe in. They like to take it to extremes no matter what.

[dunkace]

Atheists be hating on Christians for helping to make Christmas a popular event in which most Atheists still take part in. Logic is missing.

[David29]

[QUOTE=a dumb bear;38802717]Why can't everyone just accept each others beliefs and not be dicks?[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, you will always get extremists - both theist and atheist - who just can't simply accept the idea of people holding opposing views.

[EpikMonster]

The human is made to believe in something higher than him, regardless if you follow a religion or not. Deep inside you know that there's something higher in power than you ever will be.

No need to be a bunch of dickheads and start to ruin the Christmas for everyone just because you're an atheist. That shows how ignorant some people can be!

Why rate me so much dumb? Damn it, I lost faith in you people. :-|

[Kljunas]

[QUOTE]“The true beauty of the season -- family, friends, and love -- have nothing to do with the gods of yesteryear," Teresa MacBain, the group's communications director, said in a press release. "Indeed, the season is far more enjoyable without the religious baggage of guilt and judgmentalism.”[/QUOTE]

But Jesus represents these values ("family, friends, and love") better than Santa, with "love your neighbour" and that kind of stuff. And Santa is infinitely more judgemental than Jesus (like if you're not nice he won't bring you presents).

I know their point isn't Santa vs Jesus but then their billboard is completely meaningless. They should have put a picture of a family reunion instead of Santa (or even better, no billboard at all).

[ATribeCalledQ]

[QUOTE=wraithcat;38802729]you know, something tells me that it doesn't matter what americans believe in. They like to take it to extremes no matter what.[/QUOTE]

No joke this is the truest outside observation on American culture I've seen. I.e, sagging it used to be like "oh your pants kinda don't fit bro" and now it's like oh hey look at your ass is hanging out your pants are on your knees.

[Tarver]

[QUOTE=Kljunas;38802771]But Jesus represents these values ("family, friends, and love") better than Santa, with "love your neighbour" and that kind of stuff. And Santa is infinitely more judgemental than Jesus (like if you're not nice he won't bring you presents).

I know their point isn't Santa vs Jesus but then their billboard is completely meaningless. They should have put a picture of a family reunion instead of Santa (or even better, no billboard at all).[/QUOTE]

Santa still gives presents tho so Jesus sucks.

[fruxodaily]

[QUOTE=Laserbeams;38802601]Religion is a bad thing and I believe we should get rid of it as soon as possible, but we should not be dicks about it[/QUOTE]

let people have faith, and why should we care unless they're blowing it in our faces

this is why this whole thing is hypocritical, Atheist complain that religion is shoved down our throats yet they do the exact same to believers.