Nativity Scene Controversy in Central Texas

[Norstal]

Why don't they just shut the hell up and mind their own damn business? They can rot in hell for all I care, I do not want scrooges ruining the holidays for everyone else. They are being selfish bastards and someone should press charges on them for it.

Because it's a government building.

It's funny how you people are so scared by the introduction of Sharia laws into this country, but not scared of your own religious laws being put into place.

[New Conglomerate]

Militant atheists are hated for no reason at all. They don't crash planes into skyscrapers or bomb abortion clinics, yet they're decried as some sort of boogeyman collective.

No, they're just total assholes.

Non-violent assholes. All militant faiths are asshole-y, but these people are acting as if the atheist group declared that Christmas couldn't be celebrated in the town.

[Kesheru]

This is nothing on Athiests but them and Agnostics are the only ones with a problem with nativity scenes. I know Jews, Muslims, and Hindus who have absoultely no problem with a Christian Nativity scene at all. You got the radicals of course but the majority really dont seem to mind and quite enjoy looking at them. Calm your ass down Dawkins juniors, its got a baby Jesus calm down hes not here to get you.

[Ceannairceach]

Battle gets fought every year. Pointless headache over artistic expression that is steeped in religious lore.

All I can say is, if the atheists do put up their banner, it better be decorated all badass with wreaths and holly and tinsel and whatnot. Because if it's as boring as being just the plain text they say it is:

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth & superstition that hardens hearts & enslaves minds.”

...then it will boring and ugly as all hell compared to an artsy setup of sculptures and scenery.

I say they spell it in tinsel, or with fire and spikes. Something festive.

[Sleepyyawn]

They really shouldn't try to tear it down to replace it with an atheist banner. That's just... Stupid.

I don't see how a nativity scene would be offending in any shape or form. It's not a guy walking up to you and smacking you in the face with a Bible >>

[Norstal]

Battle gets fought every year. Pointless headache over artistic expression that is steeped in religious lore.

All I can say is, if the atheists do put up their banner, it better be decorated all badass with wreaths and holly and tinsel and whatnot. Because if it's as boring as being just the plain text they say it is:

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth & superstition that hardens hearts & enslaves minds.”

...then it will boring and ugly as all hell compared to an artsy setup of sculptures and scenery.

I agree with this proposal.

No, you know what, fuck banners. We need a sculpture that conveys this message.

[Desperate Measures]

I'm a Christian, and if a Jewish person put up a Menorah display, I wouldn't be offended. I don't understand why people can claim to be tolerant of everyone but get offended by words like "Christmas", "Hanukkah", and displays of religion.

It's not offensive on private property. A courthouse is a bit different.

[New Conglomerate]

This is nothing on Athiests but them and Agnostics are the only ones with a problem with nativity scenes.

Or anyone who doesn't want the government favoring a specific religion.

[Fionnuala_Saoirse]

They really shouldn't try to tear it down to replace it with an atheist banner. That's just... Stupid.

THEY"RE NOT FUCKING DOING ANYTHING OF THE SORT.

[Ceannairceach]

I'm a Christian, and if a Jewish person put up a Menorah display, I wouldn't be offended. I don't understand why people can claim to be tolerant of everyone but get offended by words like "Christmas", "Hanukkah", and displays of religion.

Because the government is supposed to be secular, yet obviously, it isn't when the Nativity is displayed without any counterbalance from other religions. And, with Commissioner Hall of the opinion that atheists shouldn't get their banner put up, it isn't secular.

[Xsyne]

No, they're just total assholes.

Non-violent assholes. All militant faiths are asshole-y, but these people are acting as if the atheist group declared that Christmas couldn't be celebrated in the town.

Nah, militant atheists are quite violent.

It's just that the people generally referred to as militant atheists aren't.

[Norstal]

They really shouldn't try to tear it down to replace it with an atheist banner. That's just... Stupid.

They don't want to replace anything, as one astute poster mentioned in the first page.

I don't see how a nativity scene would be offending in any shape or form. It's not a guy walking up to you and smacking you in the face with a Bible >>

No. It's like having your walls, car, and streets plastered with the Bible.

[Nationstatelandsville]

Battle gets fought every year. Pointless headache over artistic expression that is steeped in religious lore.

All I can say is, if the atheists do put up their banner, it better be decorated all badass with wreaths and holly and tinsel and whatnot. Because if it's as boring as being just the plain text they say it is:



...then it will boring and ugly as all hell compared to an artsy setup of sculptures and scenery.

I agree with this proposal.

No, you know what, fuck banners. We need a sculpture that conveys this message.

Like Satan battling Zeus with those words and an added "But it would be bad-ass if this kind of thing actually happened"?

[Moon Cows]

I'm a Christian, and if a Jewish person put up a Menorah display, I wouldn't be offended. I don't understand why people can claim to be tolerant of everyone but get offended by words like "Christmas", "Hanukkah", and displays of religion.

It's not offensive on private property. A courthouse is a bit different.

I agree, it's different, but is it honestly hurting anyone?

[Vetalia]

A preference towards Christianity by the government isn't an important thing to worry about? I disagree.

When push comes to shove, I'm not really concerned. There's a big difference between putting up a Nativity scene (and logically, by extension Christmas decorations in general should be removed) and creating a real-world Republic of Gilead.

[Ceannairceach]

Battle gets fought every year. Pointless headache over artistic expression that is steeped in religious lore.

All I can say is, if the atheists do put up their banner, it better be decorated all badass with wreaths and holly and tinsel and whatnot. Because if it's as boring as being just the plain text they say it is:



...then it will boring and ugly as all hell compared to an artsy setup of sculptures and scenery.

I agree with this proposal.

No, you know what, fuck banners. We need a sculpture that conveys this message.

A starving child in Africa praying, and receiving nothing?

...

OK, it may not portray what is mentioned in the banner, but it would look AMAZING.

[Norstal]

I agree with this proposal.

No, you know what, fuck banners. We need a sculpture that conveys this message.

Like Satan battling Zeus with those words and an added "But it would be bad-ass if this kind of thing actually happened"?

I would donate my life-savings to the person who makes that.

[Nationstatelandsville]

It's not offensive on private property. A courthouse is a bit different.

I agree, it's different, but is it honestly hurting anyone?

Not really. But it's still against the Constitution. They have the right to protest it.

[Moon Cows]

I agree with this proposal.

No, you know what, fuck banners. We need a sculpture that conveys this message.

A starving child in Africa praying, and receiving nothing?

...

OK, it may not portray what is mentioned in the banner, but it would look AMAZING.

That's not really even funny. . . at all.

[Crystalcliff Point]

That's not really even funny. . . at all.

I'd donate to see it happen. It accurately depicts the effectiveness of prayer.

[Vetalia]

A starving child in Africa praying, and receiving nothing?

OK, it may not portray what is mentioned in the banner, but it would look AMAZING.

And then they could retaliate by showing Christian aid workers distributing food and medical care to starving children while the American Atheists do nothing but protest Nativity scenes in Central Texas. Game, set, match.

[Norstal]

It's not offensive on private property. A courthouse is a bit different.

I agree, it's different, but is it honestly hurting anyone?

It will in the long run.

It sends the message that it's good to have religion in our government. But, I'm sure you're the kind of person who wants that noting your previous posts, so, I won't waste my carpal tunnel integrity.

[Moon Cows]

I agree, it's different, but is it honestly hurting anyone?

Not really. But it's still against the Constitution. They have the right to protest it.

Of course they do. But is a Nativity Scene inappropriate? It's just symbolizing an actual historical event. (which I'm pretty sure most atheists agree on . . . )

That's like "Merry Christmas" being offensive. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas during the holiday season. . . not a "Happy Holiday", because I don't celebrate holiday. If I was told "Happy Hanukkah", I would say it right back.

[Fionnuala_Saoirse]

It's just symbolizing an actual historical event. (which I'm pretty sure most atheists agree on . . . )

Nah not so much./

[Conserative Morality]

When push comes to shove, I'm not really concerned. There's a big difference between putting up a Nativity scene (and logically, by extension Christmas decorations in general should be removed) and creating a real-world Republic of Gilead.

Not necessarily. A number of Christmas traditions have been entirely removed from their religious origin.