A billboard posted in Arkansas as part of a New Jersey-based group’s campaign targeting “in-the-closet atheists who are pressured to observe religious traditions during the holidays” prompted a local church to purchase an ad of their own to appear on the same digital display. American Atheists, a national group with headquarters in Cranford, is behind the…
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Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.
Tommy6860 December 16th, 2014 at 08:25
As an atheist myself, there are times when this group even tests my limits. I have never been pressured or made to feel so, in regards to religious beliefs concerning Christmas. Even at family gatherings when they observe the myth I think it is, I show respect. Seriously, for many, Christmas is about sharing and family, not just about church and Jesus. I think people can decide for themselves what is a fairy tale, even if I think it is.
Glen December 16th, 2014 at 09:27
I very much agree. And I just thought I’d put this here because it captures the secular Christmas spirit so perfectly (note: Tim Minchin, like me, is an Australian – that’s why it’s christmas in the sun rather than in the snow):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q
Hirightnow December 16th, 2014 at 09:58
I’ll always up-vote a Tim Minchin video…
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 09:52
I agree with 90% of your sentiments, though some families are not as accepting of their atheist relatives. Some are downright mean and nasty. Care to see in person? You’re invited to attend my family’s gathering this year…
Abby Normal December 16th, 2014 at 10:34
Agreed. When atheists spend their money in an effort to convert others to their belief system, they become “evangelists” themselves. We would have a more civil society if everyone would merely enjoy their own belief system and not try to force feed it to everyone else. This includes Christians of all denominations, muslims, atheists – everyone.
Politics is a different matter. I’ll hammer Republicans until the day I die because their actions harm innocent people.
Tommy6860 December 16th, 2014 at 09:25
As an atheist myself, there are times when this group even tests my limits. I have never been pressured or made to feel so, in regards to religious beliefs concerning Christmas. Even at family gatherings when they observe the myth I think it is, I show respect. Seriously, for many, Christmas is about sharing and family, not just about church and Jesus. I think people can decide for themselves what is a fairy tale, even if I think it is.
Glen December 16th, 2014 at 10:27
I very much agree. And I just thought I’d put this here because it captures the secular Christmas spirit so perfectly (note: Tim Minchin, like me, is an Australian – that’s why it’s christmas in the sun rather than in the snow):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q
Hirightnow December 16th, 2014 at 10:58
I’ll always up-vote a Tim Minchin video…
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 10:52
I agree with 90% of your sentiments, though some families are not as accepting of their atheist relatives. Some are downright mean and nasty. Care to see in person? You’re invited to attend my family’s gathering this year…
Abby Normal December 16th, 2014 at 11:34
Agreed. When atheists spend their money in an effort to convert others to their belief system, they become “evangelists” themselves. We would have a more civil society if everyone would merely enjoy their own belief system and not try to force feed it to everyone else. This includes Christians of all denominations, muslims, atheists – everyone.
Politics is a different matter. I’ll hammer Republicans until the day I die because their actions harm innocent people.
Larry Schmitt December 16th, 2014 at 09:03
Both groups could have found a better use for the money. Lots of people still going hungry out there. I’m not sure advertising by any church brings in more followers. People don’t join a church because of a billboard. And as for atheists, once you become an adult, who’s forcing you to go to church if you’re not interested? Even most teenagers, from my experience, aren’t forced by their parents to go, if they really object. The only people getting anything out of all this are the ones who own the billboard.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 09:54
I personally know 3 atheists who attend church to make their family happy. Not that I agree with this billboard. I just wanted to let you know some people are seriously pressured by their families to attend church. And all 3 are adults btw.
Larry Schmitt December 16th, 2014 at 10:19
They wouldn’t get me to go. I’m not going to be miserable so others can be “happy.” There’s a word for that. I think it’s torture.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 10:46
I agree. I also think teaching your kids it’s ok to run around on Christmas shouting “aunt marissa’s going to hell” isn’t cool either. But my sister in law is a piece if work. She also objects to my mothers religion so she’s just against any religion not hers.
Larry Schmitt December 16th, 2014 at 11:14
And that’s what they call family values.
Carla Akins December 16th, 2014 at 14:33
My daughter (now 30) told me about 10 years ago that when she was small my Mom would tell her how worried she was about me burning in hell (I had recently divorced at the time and acted accordingly) Natalie told me it scared her so much she started having nightmares. She never mentioned it at the time. It annihilated any remaining relationship I had with my mother. I was not able to forgive her for terrifying my good-hearted child. Matter of fact, I’m still pissed.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 15:16
That’s just awful, and horrifying for a child. Family can be awful sometimes.
I think our mothers may know each other, the way they act.
Carla Akins December 17th, 2014 at 04:45
My mom was quite a party girl in her youth, and later had issues with substance abuse and was a serial “marry-er” . She was married and divorced 6 times – to 3 men all before she was 35. Later, around 40 she found god and was born again. In reality, she simply traded one (or several) addictions for another – in this case religion.
Abby Normal December 16th, 2014 at 10:37
It’s time for them to get a backbone and liberate themselves. Their church-going relatives are bullies. Never give in to bullies.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 10:44
In a couple cases, it’s not so easy. As rough as I have it, it’s nothing compared to what these 2 go thru. One is the wife if an SDA minister and the other has a wife who works at a very prominent catholic university. In both cases, people could harm their spouses by firing them. Tough situation.
Larry Schmitt December 16th, 2014 at 10:03
Both groups could have found a better use for the money. Lots of people still going hungry out there. I’m not sure advertising by any church brings in more followers. People don’t join a church because of a billboard. And as for atheists, once you become an adult, who’s forcing you to go to church if you’re not interested? Even most teenagers, from my experience, aren’t forced by their parents to go, if they really object. The only people getting anything out of all this are the ones who own the billboard.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 10:54
I personally know 3 atheists who attend church to make their family happy. Not that I agree with this billboard. I just wanted to let you know some people are seriously pressured by their families to attend church. And all 3 are adults btw.
Larry Schmitt December 16th, 2014 at 11:19
They wouldn’t get me to go. I’m not going to be miserable so others can be “happy.” There’s a word for that. I think it’s torture.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 11:46
I agree. I also think teaching your kids it’s ok to run around on Christmas shouting “aunt marissa’s going to hell” isn’t cool either. But my sister in law is a piece if work. She also objects to my mothers religion so she’s just against any religion not hers.
Larry Schmitt December 16th, 2014 at 12:14
And that’s what they call family values.
Carla Akins December 16th, 2014 at 15:33
My daughter (now 30) told me about 10 years ago that when she was small my Mom would tell her how worried she was about me burning in hell (I had recently divorced at the time and acted accordingly) Natalie told me it scared her so much she started having nightmares. She never mentioned it at the time. It annihilated any remaining relationship I had with my mother. I was not able to forgive her for terrifying my good-hearted child. Matter of fact, I’m still pissed.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 16:16
That’s just awful, and horrifying for a child. Family can be awful sometimes.
I think our mothers may know each other, the way they act.
Carla Akins December 17th, 2014 at 05:45
My mom was quite a party girl in her youth, and later had issues with substance abuse and was a serial “marry-er” . She was married and divorced 6 times – to 3 men all before she was 35. Later, around 40 she found god and was born again. In reality, she simply traded one (or several) addictions for another – in this case religion.
Abby Normal December 16th, 2014 at 11:37
It’s time for them to get a backbone and liberate themselves. Their church-going relatives are bullies. Never give in to bullies.
MIAtheistGal December 16th, 2014 at 11:44
In a couple cases, it’s not so easy. As rough as I have it, it’s nothing compared to what these 2 go thru. One is the wife if an SDA minister and the other has a wife who works at a very prominent catholic university. In both cases, people could harm their spouses by firing them. Tough situation.
Budda December 16th, 2014 at 10:35
Seems most churches have little ‘billboards’ out front with messages so I don’t have any problem with atheist groups putting their message on billboards. And the atheists make more sense.
Budda December 16th, 2014 at 11:35
Seems most churches have little ‘billboards’ out front with messages so I don’t have any problem with atheist groups putting their message on billboards. And the atheists make more sense.
Abby Normal December 16th, 2014 at 12:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5dSyT50Cs8
Dwendt44 December 16th, 2014 at 12:24
O’Reilly doesn’t even know why the sun rises in the east each morning.
Abby Normal December 16th, 2014 at 13:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5dSyT50Cs8
Dwendt44 December 16th, 2014 at 13:24
O’Reilly doesn’t even know why the sun rises in the east each morning.
Dwendt44 December 16th, 2014 at 12:28
Many a husband would rather stay home and watch sports on TV, but the wife drags him and the little ones to church, ’cause it’s good for them.
Ya, right!
Dwendt44 December 16th, 2014 at 13:28
Many a husband would rather stay home and watch sports on TV, but the wife drags him and the little ones to church, ’cause it’s good for them.
Ya, right!
Bunya December 16th, 2014 at 13:54
I hate Christmas because of this reason. It’s like open season for all the kooks out there to impress their beliefs (or lack thereof) on those of us who couldn’t care less. We’re already subjected to an imaginary “war on Christmas” by poor, persecuted Christians. We don’t need Atheists, who should know better, following their lead.
Bunya December 16th, 2014 at 14:54
I hate Christmas because of this reason. It’s like open season for all the kooks out there to impress their beliefs (or lack thereof) on those of us who couldn’t care less. We’re already subjected to an imaginary “war on Christmas” by poor, persecuted Christians. We don’t need Atheists, who should know better, following their lead.
Candide Thirtythree December 16th, 2014 at 16:52
We are atheists and we do Christmas, it has nothing to do with religion, we do American Holiday with a bonfire, fireworks, homemade cookies, eggnog with brandy, hanging out with friends etc. You get the day off from work whether you decide to have a party or not so why not?
Candide Thirtythree December 16th, 2014 at 17:52
We are atheists and we do Christmas, it has nothing to do with religion, we do American Holiday with a bonfire, fireworks, homemade cookies, eggnog with brandy, hanging out with friends etc. You get the day off from work whether you decide to have a party or not so why not?