"Christian" war on non-theists holiday celebrants

[Milks Empire]

Atheism. Is. Not. A. Religion. It's the absense of it.

It counts as one for legal purposes (which is to say it's protected as any other would be).

[Daistallia 2104]

Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.

That's exactly what's happeneing here. Xians have sown the wind of cramming their beliefs down everyone's throats at state expenses. It seems they don't like reaping the whirlwind...

If atheists (that "non-theist" euphemism isn't fooling anyone) deliberately provoke believers, as this bunch was clearly doing, then they can expect a reaction.

Non-theist is a much more accurate term.

And there certainly is a war on Christmas. But eventually it will fail

Nope. Just a bunch of hoo-haa whipped up by the fundies.

[Daistallia 2104]

Atheism. Is. Not. A. Religion. It's the absense of it.

It counts as one for legal purposes (which is to say it's protected as any other would be).

Hmmm... Please provide a citation that atheism or non-theism is legaly considered a religion.

[Der Teutoniker]

Atheism. Is. Not. A. Religion. It's the absense of it.

It's not that hard a concept to grasp - it's in the name, really.

Your logic is akin to saying that if I'm not a member of a political party, I'm a member of the not-a-political-party-party, despite the not-a-political-party-party not being on any ballots, having no leader, secretaries, accredited members, lobby, funds, list goes on.

It's stupid.

Wow. Not sure where to begin, actually. You are so fundamentally wrong, and arguing with me about things that haven't been mentioned at all that I am actually shocked at reasonable grammar and coherency.

Athiesm is not a religion, you are correct, though you do not seem to understand the English concept of a sentence, wherein one does not whilly-nilly throw out periods. There are other, better ways top provide emphasis.

You are also incorrect in your comparison of my logic. Merely because one does not belong to a political party, does not mean they have no political beliefs. If someone disdains politics, and are apolitical, then they still have a political belief, apolitical. Similary athiests have relgious beliefs: No dieties exist. I'm not sure how you came up with your comparison of my logic, but you did an outstanding job of not doing it well.

Your last sentence is also fantastic, and incomplete. You give no indication what "it" here represents, and you started a new paragraph, if by "it" you mean your attack on what isn't my argument, then you seem correct.

[Milks Empire]

Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.

That's exactly what's happeneing here. Xians have sown the wind of cramming their beliefs down everyone's throats at state expenses. It seems they don't like reaping the whirlwind...

If atheists (that "non-theist" euphemism isn't fooling anyone) deliberately provoke believers, as this bunch was clearly doing, then they can expect a reaction.

Non-theist is a much more accurate term.

And there certainly is a war on Christmas. But eventually it will fail

Nope. Just a bunch of hoo-haa whipped up by the fundies.

Mitty's totally out of touch with reality. Best to ignore him.

[Conserative Morality]

See, and I would argue that an environment of equal tolerance would allow for universal display of such symbolism. I guess it comes down to interpretation.

If I may ask, what are your personal beliefs?

Agnostic Atheist, with a great amount of respect for Stoicism.

[Der Teutoniker]

Hmmm... Please provide a citation that atheism or non-theism is legaly considered a religion.

Rather, classified as "religious beliefs" I think. I am not religious, for example, yet I have religious beliefs, as does almost everyone. Beliefs about religious matters are religious beliefs, it's in the name.

[Der Teutoniker]

Agnostic Atheist, with a great amount of respect for Stoicism.

Then you should put up your own sign: "QUESTION THINGS!"

[Der Teutoniker]

Mitty's totally out of touch with reality. Best to ignore him.

I thought that's what everyone did already. Is Daistallia newer than I am thinking? I don't post super-frequently, but thought that he(?) has been around longer than that.

Or maybe he couldn't help but feed the troll... it can happen to anyone, really.

[Conserative Morality]

Then you should put up your own sign: "QUESTION THINGS!"

Ah, but the government has no right to endorse my position.

[Daistallia 2104]

It's nothing to do with acting childishly, or without respect or tolerance. No one has ever had any 'right' to display their religion on public property, and the law has no need to be amended, only examined with the First Amendment of the US Constitution in mind.

See, and I would argue that an environment of equal tolerance would allow for universal display of such symbolism. I guess it comes down to interpretation.

Just to make absolutely clear, since you support equal tolerance, I should demand a state supported display on Buddhist holidays?

Note that I don't think so.

(BTW, I may not be Xian, but I do thing Matthew 6 hits the nail on the head on such matters.)

[Der Teutoniker]

Ah, but the government has no right to endorse my position.

This is America, the land where the loudest douchebag is the most correct douchebag!

Now get out there, and start assaulting people who don't agree with you!

[Daistallia 2104]

Mitty's totally out of touch with reality. Best to ignore him.

I thought that's what everyone did already. Is Daistallia newer than I am thinking? I don't post super-frequently, but thought that he(?) has been around longer than that.

Or maybe he couldn't help but feed the troll... it can happen to anyone, really.

Twas attempting not to treat NM as a troll...

[Bavin]

Ah, but the government has no right to endorse my position.

This is America, the land where the loudest douchebag is the most correct douchebag!

Now get out there, and start assaulting people who don't agree with you!

Works for Glenn Beck, should work for me, right?

Atheism. Is. Not. A. Religion. It's the absense of it.

It counts as one for legal purposes (which is to say it's protected as any other would be).

Does that mean I can take random day's off as religious holidays?

[Der Teutoniker]

Just to make absolutely clear, since you support equal tolerance, I should demand a state supported display on Buddhist holidays?

Note that I don't think so.

(BTW, I may not be Xian, but I do thing Matthew 6 hits the nail on the head on such matters.)

You shouldn't let other people know of your religious beliefs, becuase it's better to give to the poor in secret? Totally related....

To respond to the meat of your argument, if you wanted your symbols displayed on Buddhist holidays, then your right should be respected. If you don't want your symbols displayed, then you are free not to try to have them displayed. That is how I feel about it.

[Milks Empire]

Atheism. Is. Not. A. Religion. It's the absense of it.

It counts as one for legal purposes (which is to say it's protected as any other would be).

Does that mean I can take random day's off as religious holidays?

That probably depends on your boss.

[Daistallia 2104]

You shouldn't let other people know of your religious beliefs, becuase it's better to give to the poor in secret? Totally related....

Matthew 6 is more about not flaunting one's "holiness".

"6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."

My understanding is don't go flashing around "HEY I'M A XIAN!!!!! That means I'm better than you!!!"

This may actually be a point where I'm (at least to some) surprising very conservative, even reactionary. One doesn't go about loudly proclaiming ones religiousity. And one absolutely doesn't abuse the state in said persuit.

To respond to the meat of your argument, if you wanted your symbols displayed on Buddhist holidays, then your right should be respected. If you don't want your symbols displayed, then you are free not to try to have them displayed. That is how I feel about it.

Just as I don't want the state to impose Xians beliefs on me, I don't want the state to impose mine on others. The state has absolutely no business here. The state's supposed to be religiously neutral.

[Der Teutoniker]

Matthew 6 is more about not flaunting one's "holiness".

"6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."

My understanding is don't go flashing around "HEY I'M A XIAN!!!!! That means I'm better than you!!!"

This may actually be a point where I'm (at least to some) surprising very conservative, even reactionary. One doesn't go about loudly proclaiming ones religiousity. And one absolutely doesn't abuse the state in said persuit.

Just as I don't want the state to impose Xians beliefs on me, I don't want the state to impose mine on others. The state has absolutely no business here. The state's supposed to be religiously neutral.

Christian's shouldn't suggest they are holier, or better than others, of course. A statement of beliefs does not do this.

There is a difference in the state showing the diversity of it's citizens, and in the state making people be Christians. A Nativity scene does not make you convert to Christianity.

[Daistallia 2104]

Christian's shouldn't suggest they are holier, or better than others, of course. A statement of beliefs does not do this.

Having a nativity scene in private at a church doesn't. Putting up a big display is iffy - tacky at best and offensively sacreligious at worst. And having a state supported nativity scene at the capital building is right out.

There is a difference in the state showing the diversity of it's citizens, and in the state making people be Christians. A Nativity scene does not make you convert to Christianity.

Having a state supported scene means monies into the religious coffers by default.

[NERVUN]

Mitty's totally out of touch with reality. Best to ignore him.

I thought that's what everyone did already. Is Daistallia newer than I am thinking? I don't post super-frequently, but thought that he(?) has been around longer than that.

Or maybe he couldn't help but feed the troll... it can happen to anyone, really.

Twas attempting not to treat NM as a troll...

And I appreciate that, a lot.

I'm busy enough as is right now, I really don't need antagonized people as well.

[Daistallia 2104]

Mitty's totally out of touch with reality. Best to ignore him.

I thought that's what everyone did already. Is Daistallia newer than I am thinking? I don't post super-frequently, but thought that he(?) has been around longer than that.

Or maybe he couldn't help but feed the troll... it can happen to anyone, really.

Twas attempting not to treat NM as a troll...

And I appreciate that, a lot.

I'm busy enough as is right now, I really don't need antagonized people as well.

6:25 is hopefully a communicative answer in certain contexts...

[North Avayu]

The problem with the athiest sign listed in the article is that it is not merely a positive support for their belief, but a direct, and open criticism of other people's beliefs.

I can actually agree with that statement. I have to criticise the Atheist organisation. It seems like they are actively trying to diminish the holiday for Christians and using their display to grandstand. Still, they have freedom of speech and their display is an expression of their "belief", so this in no way justifies the actions of the man.

[NERVUN]

Mitty's totally out of touch with reality. Best to ignore him.

I thought that's what everyone did already. Is Daistallia newer than I am thinking? I don't post super-frequently, but thought that he(?) has been around longer than that.

Or maybe he couldn't help but feed the troll... it can happen to anyone, really.

Twas attempting not to treat NM as a troll...

And I appreciate that, a lot.

I'm busy enough as is right now, I really don't need antagonized people as well.

6:25 is hopefully a communicative answer in certain contexts...

Sadly, Christ never had to deal with a spammer. I think that would tax even His ability to forgive.

[Daistallia 2104]

Sadly, Christ never had to deal with a spammer. I think that would tax even His ability to forgive.

He had to deal with the same sorts in his time...

[Linker Niederrhein]

Wow. Not sure where to begin, actually. You are so fundamentally wrong, and arguing with me about things that haven't been mentioned at all that I am actually shocked at reasonable grammar and coherency.

Athiesm is not a religion, you are correct, though you do not seem to understand the English concept of a sentence, wherein one does not whilly-nilly throw out periods. There are other, better ways top provide emphasis.

If you wish to discuss your lack of literacy past elementary school level simplicity, do it in another thread.

Incidentally, failing German in your nationname yet bawing about people using English beyond simple, third-grade level rulesets isn't going to win you any points.

You are also incorrect in your comparison of my logic. Merely because one does not belong to a political party, does not mean they have no political beliefs. If someone disdains politics, and are apolitical, then they still have a political belief, apolitical. Similary athiests have relgious beliefs: No dieties exist. I'm not sure how you came up with your comparison of my logic, but you did an outstanding job of not doing it well.

Okay. Let me get this straight. Here I am, an atheist, telling you that you're a retard, since you interpret a lack of religious belief as... A religious belief. You're telling me (The atheist) that I do, in fact, have religious beliefs. Nevermind that 'Religious Belief' is specifically defined (Not by me - I'm neither a theologist nor a philosopher) as a believe, or faith in, supernatural phenomena.

Which, ya'know, excludes atheism. Which is a belief system, but very specifically not a religious one.

Your last sentence is also fantastic, and incomplete. You give no indication what "it" here represents, and you started a new paragraph, if by "it" you mean your attack on what isn't my argument, then you seem correct.

If you're this incapable of text interpretation, maybe you should avoid text-based media altogether - you're evidently not equipped to handle them. This is sad, and points at either a drastic failure of your education system, or at you being in elementary school (In this case, I commend you. For a fourth-grader, your interpretative skills are actually quite decent).