“No god? … No problem!” reads the advertisement featuring the smiling faces of people wearing Santa Claus hats. “Be good for goodness’ sake.”
Over the next two weeks, 270 of the ads will go up on city buses and trains in the Washington area as part of the holiday kickoff to campaigns sponsored by secular groups in cities around the country and abroad. If last year was any indication, the signs are likely to spark a theological war of words.
“We don’t intend to rain on anyone’s parade, but secular people celebrate the holidays, too, and we’re just trying to reach out to our people,” said Roy Speckhardt, the executive director of the American Humanist Association. “To the degree that we are reaching out to the godly, it’s just to say that you can be good without god…”
Elsewhere, this year’s secular signs vary in tone.
In Seattle, this year’s signs say “Millions are good without God.” In Las Vegas, signs to be put up this week will say “Reasons Greetings” and “Yes, Virginia … there is no God…”
The campaigns come against a backdrop of a growing number of nonbelievers. Fifteen percent of Americans identified themselves as having “no religion” in a 2008, up from 8 percent in 1990, according to a study by the Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford.
Overdue.
#60, Benjamin: I’m an atheist, and I do good work because it’s the right thing to do, not because I want to go to heaven or avoid hell or to be more like some mythical figurehead.
And I know from first hand experience growing up in a Christian family that many religious people (including myself when I was young and stupid) do good deeds because either a) they want to get to heaven or b) if they don’t, they go to hell. How altruistic is that?
I grew up with lots and lots of guilt about not doing the right thing. That is NOT the proper way to raise a child.
Re: #61, fpp2002
Amen brother.
#52
Listening to Christians discuss their religion is like listening to two guys at a bar argue over whether Superman or Batman is the better superhero.
Re: #60, Benjamin, …“Only through faith in Jesus Christ can you get into heaven. Your own good works aren’t powerful enough to get you into heaven. Christians do good works to be more like Christ, not to get into heaven.”
So you’re saying that Jesus Christ is a pompous jerk.
Let’s take His example and be more like him. I’ll sell you my house, and you pay me. Then I won’t sign over the ownership and I’ll keep your money. Why? Because I don’t like the way you looked at me. Now get out of my sight before I set you on fire.
#59–SClaws==you’re being pretty generous there. PS–I enjoy coal in my sock. I use it to heat the house.
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
“Be good for goodness’ sake?”
Why?
What is the motivation behind being good? Who defines good? What is the reward for doing good? Is the reward for doing good the gift of feeling good?
A lot of people feel good after doing nasty things. They are called sociopaths and criminals.
So it all boils down to feelings, nothing more than feelings. Humanists put all their trust on what side of the bed someone woke up on.
Goodness isn’t a motivation when it’s defined by humans—humans have demonstrated over the last million years they pretty much can’t get anything right.
#24
“Why don’t the atheists protest Ramadan”, etc
That’s easy. In the USA, Ramadan (and the others mentioned) isn’t constantly shoved down the unwilling throats of non-believers, the way the christianity is.
#6 Greg Allen
“My people where driven from our lands, imprisoned, raped and even slaughtered by atheists”, etc.
Really? And which people are “your people”, and which “atheists” did all this, and where did this happen, and when did it happens? I don’t doubt you. I just want to know, and if you don’t give the details, then . . . .
Hey, I’m just asking. Because, anyone who doesn’t believe in “MY” religion is by definition an atheist.
something really important
the days of the week
Monday – worship the Moon
Tuesday – worship the god of war and law “Tiw”
Wednesday – worship the god Woden
Thursday – worship the god Thunor
Friday – worship Frige (Venus)
Saturday – worship Saturn
Sunday – worship the Sun
Xmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ? Who knew?
Gosh, we don’t have to believe in God? I’d have never known this if they hadn’t put up that X-damn sign! Who knew?
#67 – JESUS H. X.
Advertising signs to try to get Humanists to be good because it is the “in” thing to do? Because Obama wants people to do good without a better reason than that? What a weak source of motivation! When it passes as a fad, the government will have to secretly bribe or coerce Humanists to do good. College credits. Judges handing down “public service” time to law breakers.
The real Christians do good because Jesus Christ promises we will be rewarded either here on earth or up in heaven. Santa Claus is a metaphor for the real God who does keep account of everything, good and bad. So Christians will do good even if no human being sees us.
I have met humanists that think their highest object of devotion was humanity and individual humans. I have met humanists that think humanity is god and individual humans are zip.
The ads are mere propaganda that answers to an argument that no one has made. The claim is not that atheists lack of morals but lack of moral premise, lack of ethos.
It is also a reprinting of their ads from last year: http://atheismisdead.blogspot.com/2008/11/another-atheist-charity-huge-success.html
Yet again, during a time of the year when people are generally more inclined towards charity—peace on earth and good will towards non-gender specific personages—atheists are busily collecting hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars during a time of recession not in order to help anyone in real material need but in order to purchase bill boards and bus ads whereby they seek to demonstrate, to themselves, just how clever they are—need any more be said?
I upped my charitable donations and volunteer time this year because I simply think it’s the right thing to do. Apparently that’s suspect and I’m facing eternal damnation.
Christmas is celebrated every December 25th whether you believe in it or not. Signs like this won’t change the minds of those that believe in it, it will just separate our culture more. If you are an Atheist and I walk by you and wish you a Merry Christmas how does it hurt you? If you don’t celebrate it I am wishing you nothing more than a great day on December 25th. I am not pushing my religion on you nor am I telling you what to believe. Whether you like it or not and it will NEVER change no matter how many signs are put up, December 25th will always be Christmas. Unless a Christian pulls you into a church and forces you to be baptized what is wrong with them wishing you a happy day? As far as I know, that practice doesn’t exist.
If I am a Christian and I say In God We Trust then I am speaking of the God I worship. If you are an Athiest and you say In God We Trust, aren’t you speaking of yourself since you would be your own God. Does it really hurt or burn your soul if you say Under God during the pledge? If any pledge, document, or any other context has the word in God wouldn’t you just be talking about yourself? Why ruin it for everyone else because you are trying to make a point.
This argument has been taken too far and has created too much hate. Live and let Live! It doesn’t cost a dime to be nice but it costs a whole lot of money to put up a bunch of signs that will never change the mind of a true believer.
For those who want to argue that Christmas was stolen and Christians have no right to it. Ok, you’re right. Do you want a cookie? Seriously? December 25th is now and will always be celebrated as Christmas. For those that don’t believe, celebrate December 25th as any other day but don’t take the joy away from those who believe in it. No one is making you believe in it.
The world is changing, look around you. All of our values are disappearing and we are becoming selfish. What does it hurt to be nice to the person next to you. If the people behind the signs really cared about humanity and the person sitting next to them, they wouldn’t tell them what they were allowed to celebrate. If you don’t believe, don’t believe.
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Kwanzaa
Merry Christmas
Whatever you celebrate, have a great day that day!
Bobbo, coal it is then… for being unusually not too naughty.
OvenMaster, coal for you too… coal straight from the bowels of HELL! (Centralia, Pennsylvania)
All naughty and nice boys get coal this year… I’m reducing my carbon footprint so you can’t burn it to keep warm.
As usual, naughty girls will still get a present from Santa … and if you’re really naughty, a spanking too. Ho, ho, ho.
#4: Of course religions will survive. They’re very profitable.
There are obviously a lot of atheist here. And from the postings I’ve seen you all sound very angry. Here is an open and honest question, from this 17 year old blooming with curiosity, why all of the animosity?
I think you are wrong but I do not precede by calling you stupid, unintelligent, or a bigot. So, why do that with those whom you disagree most?
…. just pondering….
Was Jesus an X-men? They say he was a marvel to behold…
#80 Santa Claws
Now that’s a Christmas tradition I can get behind.
Over the years, I have heard christrian complain that the holidays have become too commercial. Well, if the christians would stay home during the holidays, there would be no profit in it for businesses. Everyone could stay home and relax.
That being said, I do not mind working holidays.
I think the posters are a bit refreshing. Each year, I hear how the christians are persecuted because someone said happy holidays or happy holiday signs were in the stores or their favorite nativity scene was removed from a government building. There is the word god on the money, in court people must swear upon a bible, the word god must be in a silly pledge to a flag and that USA is a christian nation. One can only assume that christians are very insecure in their faith because they need all of these crutches.
Any sign saying just be human is nice.
Eric Morris
I’m not angry. My atheism is really just my business, and I don’t push it on anyone, but when someone challenges me on it and claims I’m mis-lead, or (I actually had a dear friend say this to me, and apologize after I made her realize how insulting it is)say “I don’t believe that you don’t believe there is a god” then I get a little annoyed. Call me a heathen, I’ll respond in kind. Say different strokes for different folks, and we will have no problem. Plus I’ll wish you a Merry Christmas, or Happy Ramadan, etc. You don’t need to respect my lack of belief, but I would expect you to respect me, as I respect the person, but not their belief.
@Mikey
I understand but many post I see from atheist are seething with anger (it might be over-generalizing but you get my point). And I just do not understand it.
I would not want your right to free speech silenced anymore than that of my own. So it bothers me a bit when people tell me I cannot say Merry Christmas because “it offends them.”
Personally I’m like you. I do not care if you greet me with happy holidays, merry x-mas, etc. As long as I can say Merry Christmas.
Eric Morris, I am an angry atheist. I’m angry because religious folk think they are superior to non-believers, I’m angry that we are discriminated against in almost every facet of society because we chose to not believe in ancient fairy tales, and that so many of the world’s conflicts are due to wars started by people who believe their imaginary friend is better than someone else’s imaginary friend.
#82
The animosity is only in your perception. What you are missing in the general condescending tone and attitude from the religious. For example, “Why should you care about putting In God We Trust on the money if you don’t believe?” Why don’t we put “In Freya We Trust”, “In Zeus We Trust”, “In Santa Claus We Trust” or In Pink Fairies We Trust” on there instead? Why would that bother you if you don’t believe in those things? These types of arguments are common from theists. The first 100 times or so, it’s quaint. After that, it gets old.
I have no problem saying Merry/Happy Christmas to those that celebrate it. I think that the argument that it might offend people is overblown. I think that Coca-Cola having a cup with a depiction of Santa Claus that says “Happy Holidays” is flipping silly and I think the message that people can be philanthropic without God is a good one.
Decided to respond to #26. I have read that the X was an abbreviation for Christ or that it stood for the cross and as for the original use both ideas are wrong.
The first time Christmas was celebrated the word would have been written in Roman Latin. A letter that looks like an X but pronounced Chris would have been used to write Xmas. Pronounced Chrismas. There are lot of Roman Latin names that contain an X pronounced this way.
The t in Christmas is another story.
If you prefer to celebrate the mid winter equinox or Saturnalia go for it but do stop bleeping about it. Do your own thing and let others do theirs.
#90–do-ill==I was also going to poo poo Benji but I googled first and found this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas. So “with the truth being my guide,” I had to pull in my horns.
Which brings us to #87–Eric==”think” carefully. Has anyone ANYONE actually told you to their face not to wish them a Merry Xmas? Or do you just feel comfortable being too general in your recollections?
BTW, when I tell a religious nut bag they are being stupid for thinking whatever nut bag BS they are thinking/talking about, I’m not angry–not even hateful. Its only when the slime votes their hatred that my real animosity comes out==and that is always a different context.
If your belief systems are “conservative” and bible based and what you grew up believing, you probably are a lost cause. Throw in some more sophistry, experience, social pressure not to look the fool, and you will still be a primitive but harder to make fun of.
THIS will endear the religious types to us- for the ad, let’s put the white males in the back, and use our Photoshop CS (for Mac of course!) to blur their faces! It’s genius! Once a leftist a$$, always a leftist a$$.
“but secular people celebrate the holidays”
Holiday from Old English hāligdæg, from hālig holy + dæg day.
“but secular people celebrate the holidays”
Anyone else find this ironically funny as all get out?
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