Capitol holiday-display controversy turning into "circus"
By Janet I. Tu
Seattle Times religion reporter
The state Capitol hosts a Nativity scene and a 25-foot "holiday tree." The nearby atheists' sign that sparked a nationwide furor was back in place Friday after being stolen and then dropped off at a country-music radio station.
And joining those displays soon could be a 5-foot aluminum pole in celebration of "Festivus for the Rest of Us." Not to mention a protest, a balloon display and even more signs, this time supporting religion.
"It's a circus and we're the center ring," said state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, who wants the atheists' sign moved farther from the Nativity scene and the governor to establish firmer guidelines on displays.
Things in Olympia have taken a bizarre turn since Monday, when the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national group for atheists and agnostics, put up a sign that says, in part: "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." The sign was partly a reaction to the Nativity scene.
The issue went national when FOX News personality Bill O'Reilly chastised the state during his show for allowing the sign.
On Friday, workers discovered the sign was missing shortly after the building opened at 7 a.m., said Steve Valandra, spokesman for the Department of General Administration, which maintains the Capitol grounds.
Later that morning, a man carrying the sign walked into country-music radio station KMPS in Seattle, saying "you know what it's for," said News Director Stephen Kilbreath. Radio-show host Ichabod Caine and others had been talking Friday morning about how disparaging the sign was.
Of the sign turning up at the station, Caine said: "First you think: No way this happened. ... That's sort of funny on one level."
But what happened was stealing, Caine said, and "certainly, because we know 'thou shalt not steal,' don't steal a sign."
The Washington State Patrol is investigating the theft. The State Patrol also is providing extra security in the Capitol for all the holiday displays, Sgt. Mark Arras said.
The Rev. Ken Hutcherson of Redmond's Antioch Bible Church put up his own sign at the Capitol on Friday that says, in part: "There is one God. ... Atheism is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
There are requests for other displays as well. Someone applied to put up a "Festivus" pole in honor of the invented holiday featured in the 1990s sitcom "Seinfeld." Another person wants to create a religious-themed "balloon display."
And a demonstration against the atheists' sign is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday on the Capitol steps.
Organizer Steve Wilson of Federal Way said he's for free speech but thinks the sign denigrates religious people. His rally is intended to be pro-faith, not anti-atheist. "We just want to go show our support for people of faith. We don't want any hate," he said.
O'Reilly, on his FOX News show earlier this week, urged viewers to call Gov. Christine Gregoire's office to protest the sign. Gregoire's office received more than 9,000 calls Thursday alone, said spokesman Pearse Edwards.
Both Hutcherson and Roach taped segments Friday for a follow-up segment on O'Reilly's show.
Gregoire, a Democrat, and state Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Republican, issued a statement after O'Reilly's first show, explaining the state's position.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display or viewpoint onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays, including the viewpoints of nonbelievers," the statement said.
On Friday, some nonbelievers said they had very mixed feelings about the sign.
Michael Amini, a University of Washington student and president of the Secular Student Union, says he's glad to see nonbelievers represented among the Capitol displays. But he doesn't like the sign's wording, saying it's inflammatory and divisive.
"Right now, the atheists are the least trusted minority in the United States," said Amini, who believes the foundation should spend its time and money trying to show people that atheists are "decent people, rational and sane, with legitimate world views. This sign does not send that message."
Dan Barker, Freedom From Religion Foundation co-president, said he intended the sign to be a little controversial — though he didn't expect this much.
"We thought our sign was pretty mild. But some people thought it was pretty hard-hitting," he said. "It's a criticism of religion. I think people like O'Reilly confuse criticism with hate speech."
All this hubbub threatened to overshadow what would otherwise be a big-deal wintertime moment in the Capitol: the annual lighting of the "Capitol Holiday Kids Tree" Friday. The tree, sponsored by the Association of Washington Business, is part of a charity drive.
There also will be a menorah in the Capitol this year, scheduled to go up on Dec. 21.
Walking can be a real trip
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
Here's a thought...just forbid all expressions of religion/statements against religion from being on government property. Let atheists and religious people keep their nativitys and signs on their front lawns, and leave it at that.
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Here's my point: why even bother? Speaking as a Christian, I generally disagree with those who try to push their religion or "beliefs" on someone who believes differently or not at all; therefore I disagree with this sign. If you don't believe in what the Nativity scene portrayals, then bully for you. It's vanity, however, to try to dissuade somebody from their beliefs or lack-thereof. And "believe me" when I say again I disagree with my own religion trying to push their beliefs on other people.
We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.--Bill Hicks
Michael Amini, a University of Washington student and president of the Secular Student Union, says he's glad to see nonbelievers represented among the Capitol displays. But he doesn't like the sign's wording, saying it's inflammatory and divisive.
"Right now, the atheists are the least trusted minority in the United States," said Amini, who believes the foundation should spend its time and money trying to show people that atheists are "decent people, rational and sane, with legitimate world views. This sign does not send that message."
I agree with what this guy said.
In all honesty. They should take down all of the displays at any type of establishment that is not privately owned. If it's privately owned then you can have whatever you want, as long as it's not hateful.
There are so many issues out there that have logical solutions, it's mind boggling sometimes.
In all honesty. They should take down all of the displays at any type of establishment that is not privately owned. If it's privately owned then you can have whatever you want, as long as it's not hateful.
There are so many issues out there that have logical solutions, it's mind boggling sometimes.
I agree. Why antagonize when you don't have to? This applies to both sides of anything. Free speech is great, but in this instance and many others all it does is make bad blood and good (but bad) headlines.
"I'd rather be with an animal." "Those that can be trusted can change their mind." "The in between is mine." "If I don't lose control, explore and not explode, a preternatural other plane with the power to maintain." "Yeh this is living." "Life is what you make it."
Here's a question: if this Freedom from Religion group had put up a Winter Solstice display first (without the anti-religion slant) and a Christian group had put up a sign next to it saying "Yeah, but seriously, atheists are idiots, and going to hell", would people be sympathetic to the Christians in this case?
I'm an atheist, but if atheists stole the sign I'd lose all respect for them. I truly feel everyone has the right to express his or her beliefs but they must be responsible for their words.
Your "Yeah, but seriously, atheists are idiots, and going to hell" is basically the message for atheists when we read the bible. We don't stand a chance. We are called "fools" in the bible and everyone knows the godless have no place near god. Jesus also represents that part of christianity, I think. His dad or Jesus or their sort of 'we're the same entity' thing made the rules. For the godless - in biblical terms - Jesus' birth just means they are going to hell and suffer for eternity.
maybe im stupid but atheism is just as much a belief as any religion.
religions believe in some crazy super power but cant prove it
atheist believe there is no crazy super power but cant prove it
so atheists are just as guilty of pushing their beliefs down peoples throats as far as i can see.
I disagree. Religions are based on belief and by their very nature they must remain that way. They rest on assumptions that cannot be tested.
Atheism is based on what's directly or indirectly verifiable, things we can test and things we can logically deduce. It's not a 'faith'.
As for pushing their 'beliefs', I agree that some atheists do. There is a distinction to be made between belief in this sense and belief in a religious sense.
I'm an atheist, but if atheists stole the sign I'd lose all respect for them. I truly feel everyone has the right to express his or her beliefs but they must be responsible for their words.
Your "Yeah, but seriously, atheists are idiots, and going to hell" is basically the message for atheists when we read the bible. We don't stand a chance. We are called "fools" in the bible and everyone knows the godless have no place near god. Jesus also represents that part of christianity, I think. His dad or Jesus or their sort of 'we're the same entity' thing made the rules. For the godless - in biblical terms - Jesus' birth just means they are going to hell and suffer for eternity.
Like I said, both sides are at fault. If the Christians had left the sign up, they'd actually have the moral high ground here, in my opinion. I know the Bible isn't exactly sympathetic to non-believers, but can people honestly say they get that impression from the nativity scene? In my opinion, there's a difference between celebrating your faith (nativity scene, winter solstice, or anything else) and attacking other people's beliefs. The nativity scene is harmless... the sign was not.
Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
How is putting a display in public for all to see, which bashes religion and tells people what to think, not pushing beliefs on unwanting people?
It's the equivalent of Christians putting up a sign that says "Believe in Jesus or you will go to hell," which would be blatantly offensive and a clear example of pushing a belief system on unwanting people. It's the same thing.
Yes, a nativity scene should not be placed in front of a civic building. It should be taken down. But to claim that putting a sign up which is blatantly offensive and obtrusive to others' belief systems is somehow OK, when atheists continually preach against it, is ridiculous.
I have no problem with the sign being offensive to Christians. I'm just asking that they tolerate it and not take the sign away an hour after its put up. And I'm not blaming all Christians for the sign being stolen. But the sign didn't stand much of a chance, even in a town like Olympia. Maybe I'm wrong, though, we'll see how this story progresses...
And maybe the group who put up the sign are a little too zealously athiest, but I admire people who have the guts to challenge unfounded conventions. In most parts of the U.S., its social suicide to declare yourself an athiest or agnostic, or really... anything other than Christian. But I think that's beginning to change... and I want to help bring that change. I resent my Christian upbringing, and I'm happy for my daughter that she won't get mindfucked by these people. She's 7, and we talk about what people believe about 'God', and none of it makes sense to her. It's that simple, really.
I have no problem with the sign being offensive to Christians. I'm just asking that they tolerate it and not take the sign away an hour after its put up. And I'm not blaming all Christians for the sign being stolen. But the sign didn't stand much of a chance, even in a town like Olympia. Maybe I'm wrong, though, we'll see how this story progresses...
And maybe the group who put up the sign are a little too zealously athiest, but I admire people who have the guts to challenge unfounded conventions. In most parts of the U.S., its social suicide to declare yourself an athiest or agnostic, or really... anything other than Christian. But I think that's beginning to change... and I want to help bring that change. I resent my Christian upbringing, and I'm happy for my daughter that she won't get mindfucked by these people. She's 7, and we talk about what people believe about 'God', and none of it makes sense to her. It's that simple, really.
Luckily it's not social suicide on the west coast. I'd say 70% of the people I know aren't religious at all.
No one really gives a hoot what religion you are, because we're all people and that doesn't matter. It's petty to me to like or dislike someone because of religious beliefs.
I do wonder now though, why they(athieists) haven't expressed their disagreement with either Judaism or Islam being that all three religions have the same root in monotheism. Or even the Mormons for that matter.
That is a good question. I know I'm equal opportunity when I make fun of religions.
"I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
Luckily it's not social suicide on the west coast. I'd say 70% of the people I know aren't religious at all.
No one really gives a hoot what religion you are, because we're all people and that doesn't matter. It's petty to me to like or dislike someone because of religious beliefs.
wasnt' this in Olympia?
I would have agreed with you a few days ago, but this is absurd.
"thou shall not steal" apparently doesn't apply when you're dealing with billboards or atheists.
Yep. Oregon and Washington are pretty similar, religion wise.
I lived in Ballard for 4 years...
what I'm sayin is that Olympia should be one of the places atheists should be able to display their message-I agree, most people aren't religious fanatics over there...but to read this story? kind of surprising.
what I'm sayin is that Olympia should be one of the places atheists should be able to display their message-I agree, most people aren't religious fanatics over there...but to read this story? kind of surprising.
I don't think it's a problem with Atheists really, I just think it's the problem with the way these Atheists presented and handled it.
In all honesty. They should take down all of the displays at any type of establishment that is not privately owned. If it's privately owned then you can have whatever you want, as long as it's not hateful.
There are so many issues out there that have logical solutions, it's mind boggling sometimes.
I suspect this is the intention of the Atheist's sign. I think they are trying to push the issue.
Since the whole 'War on Christmas' campaign started, I have found myself more defensive about Christians declaring the season for themselves and now would definitely prefer that no religious displays be on public property.
Walking can be a real trip
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
In my opinion, atheists are right up there with homosexuals in terms of being a segment of society that is openly persecuted without reproach.
In most workplaces a person would have to be crazy to freely admit to being an atheist. It would in most cases result in loss of job or ability to be promoted.
The religious still make up a majority of the country, and that majority is absolutely convinced that their belief in god is what makes them better human beings than those who do not.
And that's what that sign was about. It's not about persecuting religious people or voicing hostility towards them. It's about helping people understand that thinking people are devoid of morals just because they don't nurture superstitions is fucking stupid.
Luckily it's not social suicide on the west coast. I'd say 70% of the people I know aren't religious at all.
No one really gives a hoot what religion you are, because we're all people and that doesn't matter. It's petty to me to like or dislike someone because of religious beliefs.
but would they have enough courage in their convinctions to openly declare their atheism?
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take a good look
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lie beside me
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At This Season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail.
There are no Gods, no Devils, no Angels, no Heaven or Hell.
There is only our Natural World.
Religion is but Myth and Superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.
I like this....:D
it really sums up my self conclusions I made today!
"I'm not present, I'm a drug that makes you dream"
It's all about the Atheists' frustrations of not having their churches or maybe, should they start putting up signs at PJ concerts?...
Jokes aside, this incident really digs up interesting things, affirming to me again that Bill O’reilly is an idiot. I wish I could get CNN instead of that BS…
It's all about the Atheists' frustrations of not having their churches or maybe, should they start putting up signs at PJ concerts?...
Jokes aside, this incident really digs up interesting things, affirming to me again that Bill O’reilly is an idiot. I wish I could get CNN instead of that BS…
im an atheist. i worship in the church of the poison mind. aah the 80s... good times good times.
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
Here's a thought...just forbid all expressions of religion/statements against religion from being on government property. Let atheists and religious people keep their nativitys and signs on their front lawns, and leave it at that.
Yes this is what I had in mind too. Either every group gets to put up a display, or no one. It is not fair to give one group precedence.
R.i.p. Rigoberto Alpizar.
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
"I thought it would be safe," Freedom From Religion Foundation co-founder Annie Laurie Gaylor told CNN earlier Friday. "It's always a shock when your sign is censored or stolen or mutilated. It's not something you get used to."
Dumbest broad alive award candidate right here. Yeah, who would have thought people might get angry or upset and react?
I think it's kind of a dick move on their part. It's one thing to put up a winter solstice sign, I'm cool with that. But to talk shit about someone's religion during their big holiday is an asshole move. If you had done some "fasting is for douchebags" sign during Ramadan, you'd ripped apart for hate speech. Or "fuck dreidles" during Chanukah. It's bullshit and they get no sympathy from me. Last I checked, most nativity scenes don't have a sign saying "PS all you atheists will burn in hell."
You have to believe in atheism. It's a belief. You believe in no god.
I'm agnostic. It's a belief. I believe nobody alive knows the truth. There is no way to know. We are talking about the unknown.
You are merely assuming there is no god as a non-atheist assumes there is a god. Both a belief.
No, we believe in the facts presented towards us, we just don't believe in fairy tales.
Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
Comments
Capitol holiday-display controversy turning into "circus"
By Janet I. Tu
Seattle Times religion reporter
The state Capitol hosts a Nativity scene and a 25-foot "holiday tree." The nearby atheists' sign that sparked a nationwide furor was back in place Friday after being stolen and then dropped off at a country-music radio station.
And joining those displays soon could be a 5-foot aluminum pole in celebration of "Festivus for the Rest of Us." Not to mention a protest, a balloon display and even more signs, this time supporting religion.
"It's a circus and we're the center ring," said state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, who wants the atheists' sign moved farther from the Nativity scene and the governor to establish firmer guidelines on displays.
Things in Olympia have taken a bizarre turn since Monday, when the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national group for atheists and agnostics, put up a sign that says, in part: "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." The sign was partly a reaction to the Nativity scene.
The issue went national when FOX News personality Bill O'Reilly chastised the state during his show for allowing the sign.
On Friday, workers discovered the sign was missing shortly after the building opened at 7 a.m., said Steve Valandra, spokesman for the Department of General Administration, which maintains the Capitol grounds.
Later that morning, a man carrying the sign walked into country-music radio station KMPS in Seattle, saying "you know what it's for," said News Director Stephen Kilbreath. Radio-show host Ichabod Caine and others had been talking Friday morning about how disparaging the sign was.
Of the sign turning up at the station, Caine said: "First you think: No way this happened. ... That's sort of funny on one level."
But what happened was stealing, Caine said, and "certainly, because we know 'thou shalt not steal,' don't steal a sign."
The Washington State Patrol is investigating the theft. The State Patrol also is providing extra security in the Capitol for all the holiday displays, Sgt. Mark Arras said.
The Rev. Ken Hutcherson of Redmond's Antioch Bible Church put up his own sign at the Capitol on Friday that says, in part: "There is one God. ... Atheism is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
There are requests for other displays as well. Someone applied to put up a "Festivus" pole in honor of the invented holiday featured in the 1990s sitcom "Seinfeld." Another person wants to create a religious-themed "balloon display."
And a demonstration against the atheists' sign is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday on the Capitol steps.
Organizer Steve Wilson of Federal Way said he's for free speech but thinks the sign denigrates religious people. His rally is intended to be pro-faith, not anti-atheist. "We just want to go show our support for people of faith. We don't want any hate," he said.
O'Reilly, on his FOX News show earlier this week, urged viewers to call Gov. Christine Gregoire's office to protest the sign. Gregoire's office received more than 9,000 calls Thursday alone, said spokesman Pearse Edwards.
Both Hutcherson and Roach taped segments Friday for a follow-up segment on O'Reilly's show.
Gregoire, a Democrat, and state Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Republican, issued a statement after O'Reilly's first show, explaining the state's position.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has been consistent and clear that, under the Constitution's First Amendment, once government admits one religious display or viewpoint onto public property, it may not discriminate against the content of other displays, including the viewpoints of nonbelievers," the statement said.
On Friday, some nonbelievers said they had very mixed feelings about the sign.
Michael Amini, a University of Washington student and president of the Secular Student Union, says he's glad to see nonbelievers represented among the Capitol displays. But he doesn't like the sign's wording, saying it's inflammatory and divisive.
"Right now, the atheists are the least trusted minority in the United States," said Amini, who believes the foundation should spend its time and money trying to show people that atheists are "decent people, rational and sane, with legitimate world views. This sign does not send that message."
Dan Barker, Freedom From Religion Foundation co-president, said he intended the sign to be a little controversial — though he didn't expect this much.
"We thought our sign was pretty mild. But some people thought it was pretty hard-hitting," he said. "It's a criticism of religion. I think people like O'Reilly confuse criticism with hate speech."
All this hubbub threatened to overshadow what would otherwise be a big-deal wintertime moment in the Capitol: the annual lighting of the "Capitol Holiday Kids Tree" Friday. The tree, sponsored by the Association of Washington Business, is part of a charity drive.
There also will be a menorah in the Capitol this year, scheduled to go up on Dec. 21.
Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
was on a Clear Channel billboard?????????
The greatest enemy of free speech!!!!
I guess you now have to be flexible to meet profit expectations!!
I just LOVE THIS !!!
peace
i don't have a gun
I agree with what this guy said.
In all honesty. They should take down all of the displays at any type of establishment that is not privately owned. If it's privately owned then you can have whatever you want, as long as it's not hateful.
There are so many issues out there that have logical solutions, it's mind boggling sometimes.
religions believe in some crazy super power but cant prove it
atheist believe there is no crazy super power but cant prove it
so atheists are just as guilty of pushing their beliefs down peoples throats as far as i can see.
I'm an atheist, but if atheists stole the sign I'd lose all respect for them. I truly feel everyone has the right to express his or her beliefs but they must be responsible for their words.
Your "Yeah, but seriously, atheists are idiots, and going to hell" is basically the message for atheists when we read the bible. We don't stand a chance. We are called "fools" in the bible and everyone knows the godless have no place near god. Jesus also represents that part of christianity, I think. His dad or Jesus or their sort of 'we're the same entity' thing made the rules. For the godless - in biblical terms - Jesus' birth just means they are going to hell and suffer for eternity.
naděje umírá poslední
I disagree. Religions are based on belief and by their very nature they must remain that way. They rest on assumptions that cannot be tested.
Atheism is based on what's directly or indirectly verifiable, things we can test and things we can logically deduce. It's not a 'faith'.
As for pushing their 'beliefs', I agree that some atheists do. There is a distinction to be made between belief in this sense and belief in a religious sense.
naděje umírá poslední
I have no problem with the sign being offensive to Christians. I'm just asking that they tolerate it and not take the sign away an hour after its put up. And I'm not blaming all Christians for the sign being stolen. But the sign didn't stand much of a chance, even in a town like Olympia. Maybe I'm wrong, though, we'll see how this story progresses...
And maybe the group who put up the sign are a little too zealously athiest, but I admire people who have the guts to challenge unfounded conventions. In most parts of the U.S., its social suicide to declare yourself an athiest or agnostic, or really... anything other than Christian. But I think that's beginning to change... and I want to help bring that change. I resent my Christian upbringing, and I'm happy for my daughter that she won't get mindfucked by these people. She's 7, and we talk about what people believe about 'God', and none of it makes sense to her. It's that simple, really.
Luckily it's not social suicide on the west coast. I'd say 70% of the people I know aren't religious at all.
No one really gives a hoot what religion you are, because we're all people and that doesn't matter. It's petty to me to like or dislike someone because of religious beliefs.
That is a good question. I know I'm equal opportunity when I make fun of religions.
I would have agreed with you a few days ago, but this is absurd.
"thou shall not steal" apparently doesn't apply when you're dealing with billboards or atheists.
Yep. Oregon and Washington are pretty similar, religion wise.
what I'm sayin is that Olympia should be one of the places atheists should be able to display their message-I agree, most people aren't religious fanatics over there...but to read this story? kind of surprising.
I don't think it's a problem with Atheists really, I just think it's the problem with the way these Atheists presented and handled it.
I suspect this is the intention of the Atheist's sign. I think they are trying to push the issue.
Since the whole 'War on Christmas' campaign started, I have found myself more defensive about Christians declaring the season for themselves and now would definitely prefer that no religious displays be on public property.
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
In most workplaces a person would have to be crazy to freely admit to being an atheist. It would in most cases result in loss of job or ability to be promoted.
The religious still make up a majority of the country, and that majority is absolutely convinced that their belief in god is what makes them better human beings than those who do not.
And that's what that sign was about. It's not about persecuting religious people or voicing hostility towards them. It's about helping people understand that thinking people are devoid of morals just because they don't nurture superstitions is fucking stupid.
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
but would they have enough courage in their convinctions to openly declare their atheism?
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
I like this....:D
it really sums up my self conclusions I made today!
For sure. No one hides it. People are more likely to hide the fact that they are religious here
Jokes aside, this incident really digs up interesting things, affirming to me again that Bill O’reilly is an idiot. I wish I could get CNN instead of that BS…
https://www.facebook.com/Bring.Pearl.Jam.To.Israel
im an atheist. i worship in the church of the poison mind. aah the 80s... good times good times.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
Yes this is what I had in mind too. Either every group gets to put up a display, or no one. It is not fair to give one group precedence.
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
Dumbest broad alive award candidate right here. Yeah, who would have thought people might get angry or upset and react?
I think it's kind of a dick move on their part. It's one thing to put up a winter solstice sign, I'm cool with that. But to talk shit about someone's religion during their big holiday is an asshole move. If you had done some "fasting is for douchebags" sign during Ramadan, you'd ripped apart for hate speech. Or "fuck dreidles" during Chanukah. It's bullshit and they get no sympathy from me. Last I checked, most nativity scenes don't have a sign saying "PS all you atheists will burn in hell."
You have to believe in atheism. It's a belief. You believe in no god.
I'm agnostic. It's a belief. I believe nobody alive knows the truth. There is no way to know. We are talking about the unknown.
You are merely assuming there is no god as a non-atheist assumes there is a god. Both a belief.