The War On Christmas Just Won’t End

[MMI]

What on Earth difference does it make to an atheist whether one religion is preferred by the authorities or another, (or none)?

As I said before, phoney outrage and posturing.

[Thorne]

What on Earth difference does it make to an atheist whether one religion is preferred by the authorities or another, (or none)?

You're kidding, right? Do you think the US, or the UK, or any other nation, would be better off as a theocracy? Just look at what that's done for the Middle East!

When the government supports only one religion, eventually it becomes against the law to worship any other religion, or to NOT worship any religion. And, as in many Islamic nations, it becomes punishable by death to deny the "truth" of that religion! It's known as a theocracy, and it is specifically forbidden by US law!

Just look at what the people of Texas are having to deal with, just because they have a fundamentalist governor who puts other fundamentalists onto the state school board. They have tried tossing out Evolution, in favor of literal Biblical Creationism. They have tried "editing" history to minimize the contributions of "liberal" founders (Thomas Jefferson, for one). Hell, their governor, who is not trying to become president, called for a prayer weekend to end the drought! Didn't work, of course, but that doesn't stop them.

Think it would be a bad idea for someone like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to get control of nuclear weapons? How about someone who believes in a literal interpretation of Revelations, and just can't WAIT to initiate the Second Coming, and Judgement Day!

As I said before, phoney outrage and posturing.

Nothing phony about it! The outrage is real. The posturing is being done by the Christians who are being "persecuted" by a relative handful of atheists who actually demand evidence for their delusions.

[MMI]

Thorne: You're kidding, right? Do you think the US, or the UK, or any other nation, would be better off as a theocracy? Just look at what that's done for the Middle East!

Nope - not kidding, but not losing my sense of proportion either. We're talking about funding religious celebrations, not imposing some kind of religious dictatorship over the whole nation.

Thorne: When the government supports only one religion, eventually it becomes against the law to worship any other religion, or to NOT worship any religion. And, as in many Islamic nations, it becomes punishable by death to deny the "truth" of that religion! It's known as a theocracy, and it is specifically forbidden by US law!

The government supports the Church of England in England and the Church of Scotland in Scotland ... Things don't seem so bad here. Of course you can cite the worst possible eventuality to try to justify petty-minded sniping, but it doesn't work.

Thorne: Just look at what the people of Texas are having to deal with, just because they have a fundamentalist governor who puts other fundamentalists onto the state school board. They have tried tossing out Evolution, in favor of literal Biblical Creationism. They have tried "editing" history to minimize the contributions of "liberal" founders (Thomas Jefferson, for one). Hell, their governor, who is not trying to become president, called for a prayer weekend to end the drought! Didn't work, of course, but that doesn't stop them.

But they don't succeed do they? Seems that even when fundamentalists have control, they have a hard time imposing their own views, then. I don't think it helps your case against Christmas.

Think it would be a bad idea for someone like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to get control of nuclear weapons? How about someone who believes in a literal interpretation of Revelations, and just can't WAIT to initiate the Second Coming, and Judgement Day!

Well, that's serious. D'you think banning Christmas will really help? Then let's do it!

Nothing phony about it! The outrage is real. The posturing is being done by the Christians who are being "persecuted" by a relative handful of atheists who actually demand evidence for their delusions.

Right.

[Thorne]

Nope - not kidding, but not losing my sense of proportion either. We're talking about funding religious celebrations, not imposing some kind of religious dictatorship over the whole nation.

No, we're talking about funding a PARTICULAR religious celebration while prohibiting others. Baby steps. How would you feel if you were forbidden to say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, and were only allowed to say Happy Hanukkah?

But they don't succeed do they? Seems that even when fundamentalists have control, they have a hard time imposing their own views, then.

They don't succeed because people like me won't LET them succeed. But if you pay any attention to the current crop of Republican presidential candidates you would see that most of them would gladly gut the Constitution to make special provisions for their fundamentalist beliefs. Another baby step.

I don't think it helps your case against Christmas.
D'you think banning Christmas will really help?

I don't have any "case" against Christmas. Only against those who would force it down my throat. I don't want to ban it, just keep it where it belongs. In the churches, in peoples homes, not in the courtrooms or legislatures of the nation.

[denuseri]

They don't succeed because people like me won't LET them succeed. But if you pay any attention to the current crop of Republican presidential candidates you would see that most of them would gladly gut the Constitution to make special provisions for their fundamentalist beliefs. Another baby step.

Actually a handful of the current candidates on the republic side (mainly Perry) are "trying" to pander to their precieved base with an add that attacks gays in the military, and might mention calling Christmas ....well...Christmas lol. As for what he would do once elected Ive already covered that to death and back in a different thread. (Basically nothing will happen no matter what he promises).

But hey we all know how the atheists like to use sophistry and blow things completely out of proportion. I guess thats how atheists who are asshats all get their rocks off during any holiday with a religious theme...shrugs.

[denuseri]

The government supports the Church of England in England and the Church of Scotland in Scotland ... Things don't seem so bad here. Of course you can cite the worst possible eventuality to try to justify petty-minded sniping, but it doesn't work.

The Danes and Norway support the Lutherans if I recall correctly too.