Nativity Scene Controversy in Central Texas

[Ambton]

It is not like the courthouse is saying only Christians symbols are allowed, it is just Christianity is a majority.

[Ifreann]

It is not like the courthouse is saying only Christians symbols are allowed, it is just Christianity is a majority.

So then they are going to put up the banner from that Atheist group? And some Muslim and Jewish symbols? Something from the Hindus and Buddhists too?

[Norstal]

It is not like the courthouse is saying only Christians symbols are allowed, it is just Christianity is a majority.

So then they are going to put up the banner, then? And some Muslim and Jewish symbols? Something from the Hindus and Buddhists too?

And in 1 May, I want a gigantic bonfire for Walpurgis. *nods*

[Bottle]

The government should never even appear to be promoting one religion, either at all or over any other. It's as simple as that. If the atheists involved have behaved as assholes, that proves nothing. I cannot believe that there was nowhere in that town where a Nativity scene could be put up that wasn't public property.

Why not promote all religions, as to promote freedom of religion?

Because there's about twenty billion better things to spend government time and funding on?

If people want to promote their religions using THEIR time, THEIR money, and THEIR land, they are welcome to, and I'll defend their right to do it. But wasting government resources or space on it is bullshit, given how desperately we need the government to be handling actual issues.

Personally, I am disgusted to see Christians whinging about this kind of thing, when their own Christ would have been tearing up nativities for firewood to heat the homes of the poor.

[Bottle]

I'm still baffled why some people get all jittery by something as insignificant as this.

Probably because you either:

1) Don't ask them why
2) Don't listen when they tell you
3) Both

[Farnhamia]

You guys mentioned national holidays. Those are holidays for everyone. There are no specific atheist holy days.

No. They're secular holidays. Which means it's atheist.

Checkmate.

That's right, atheists just let theists celebrate them, too, being the sharing, caring people we are.

[Ifreann]

So then they are going to put up the banner, then? And some Muslim and Jewish symbols? Something from the Hindus and Buddhists too?

And in 1 May, I want a gigantic bonfire for Walpurgis. *nods*

In the interest of fairness, you can only have a fire the size of that nativity scene. To ensure compliance, consider constructing a nativity scene yourself and then burning it down.

[Bottle]

No. They're secular holidays. Which means it's atheist.

Checkmate.

That's right, atheists just let theists celebrate them, too, being the sharing, caring people we are.

I let Christians share in my pagan winter festival of plenty, and all they do is bitch about how I'm not chanting the name of THEIR god loud enough. The nerve!

[Ifreann]

That's right, atheists just let theists celebrate them, too, being the sharing, caring people we are.

I let Christians share in my pagan winter festival of plenty, and all they do is bitch about how I'm not chanting the name of THEIR god loud enough. The nerve!

They should rename their deity to "Chug", the better to gain young converts in frat houses.

[Farnhamia]

I let Christians share in my pagan winter festival of plenty, and all they do is bitch about how I'm not chanting the name of THEIR god loud enough. The nerve!

They should rename their deity to "Chug", the better to gain young converts in frat houses.

Or go to www.belch.com and pick one of those for their deity's name. That will really go over with the frat boys.

[Ifreann]

They should rename their deity to "Chug", the better to gain young converts in frat houses.

Or go to http://www.belch.com and pick one of those for their deity's name. That will really go over with the frat boys.

I don't see why God can't have many names.

[Bluth Corporation]

He has at least 99...

[Ifreann]

He has at least 99...

But a bitch ain't one?

[Dyakovo]

You guys mentioned national holidays. Those are holidays for everyone. There are no specific atheist holy days.

Gee I wonder why?

[Tmutarakhan]

Can't they just move it slightly off the courthouse lawn? I have no problem with the minaret I pass on my way to school, I'd have a serious problem if there was a minaret adorning the local courthouse.

WHy does there have to be a display on the courthouse lawn anyway? I think it's safe to assume that there are a couple of churches in town with displays.

The Christians always want the COURT building specifically. The most blatant case was the Alabama Chief Justice who insisted on a huge Ten Commandments display (rather like a "graven image" I would say), to emphasize that Alabama law is based on the Bible (this was just before he overturned a family court ruling allowing a lesbian mother to keep custody of her children, on explicitly religious grounds). Few cases are anywhere near that extreme: but make no mistake, the people who insist on Christian symbols at the courthouse are the ones who say "the US is a Christian nation" and blah blah blah, and it is not paranoid to think they mean "The law belongs to us, and non-Christians have no right to expect fair treatment in this courthouse."

[Dyakovo]

Well I think that you should be able to have any holiday decorations or religiouse religious symbols you want in any government facility, I hate the atheists who wana want to push their beliefs on everyone by telling them that their beliefs are wrong or that god doesnt exist. Put up crucafisxes crucifixes and ten commandments anywhere you want, and if a jew asked for a star of david or a manora menorah to be placed outside during the holiday season then you can do that to. Its a simple compromise and doesnt tell anyone that they are worng

Advocating obeying the law is "atheists pushing their beliefs on everyone else'?

[West Failure]

He has at least 99...

But a bitch ain't one?

You win the internet and all future internet equivalents

[Dyakovo]

It is not like the courthouse is saying only Christians symbols are allowed, it is just Christianity is a majority.

Actually since they've refused to alter the display at all, that is exactly what they are saying.

[Simon Cowell of the RR]

It is not like the courthouse is saying only Christians symbols are allowed, it is just Christianity is a majority.

Why does no one lift a finger to study Constitutional law?
The supreme "courthouse" says that this sweet little one in Texas does not get to display Christian symbols because that is what the majority agrees with. That, messier, is called Tyranny of the Majority. And that's bad.

[Sathera]

Why is this offending so many people? I've seen plenty of Muslim, Jewish, even Atheist symbols, and I don't get offended, why should everyone else? If it's THAT big of a deal, than just take the thing down and move it 20 feet to the left so it's off of Government property.

[Greater Mackonia]

Silly Americans

[Crystalcliff Point]

Why is this offending so many people? I've seen plenty of Muslim, Jewish, even Atheist symbols, and I don't get offended, why should everyone else? If it's THAT big of a deal, than just take the thing down and move it 20 feet to the left so it's off of Government property.

That's really all they have to do. Erecting a nativity scene on public property is endorsing a religion. Don't do that.

[Dyakovo]

Why is this offending so many people?.

Because it is unconstitutional.

[Vestr-Norig]

Tragic. Just, tragic.

[Socialist States Owen]

This is dissapointing.

It's supposed to be the theists bitching about the athiests, not the other way around!