Billboard asking people to skip church on Christmas stirs controversy

originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic

originally posted by: seeker1963
Is this not the religious right being politically correct? Being offended?

Why, yes, sir, I believe it is. A simple billboard is seen as being "Another attack on Christianity".

Nice post!

Freedom of speech? All for it! Offended? Grow the hell up! I don't care who you are or what you believe in, but if you say you believe in the 1st, then how in the hell can you prevent someone from using theirs to offend you?

Guess I will make enemies on both sides of that corrupt eagle today, but being Mr. Politically Incorrect? I can't take the hypocrisy anymore from either side and their whining.....................

originally posted by: Raggedyman
Another attack on Christianity, seems endless

Why isn't their a billboard saying skip the mosque, the temple as well?
It's not ok politically to offend any religious people but Christians these days

this world is becoming stranger by the day, no wonder there is a rise in fundamentalism

And...out comes the persecution complex. Christians are an overwhelming majority in the U.S. They are also a very vocal and aggressive majority. Hence, why the sign is aimed at Christians.

a reply to: Benevolent Heretic

See? That one makes more sense.

Who cares. There is a stupid billboard I pass all the time on the New Jersey Turnpike that is telling me that I am going to hell because I have not accepted Jesus.


Good thing the next rest stop always carries SPF 1,000,000.

originally posted by: Raggedyman
Another attack on Christianity, seems endless

Why isn't their a billboard saying skip the mosque, the temple as well?
It's not ok politically to offend any religious people but Christians these days

this world is becoming stranger by the day, no wonder there is a rise in fundamentalism

Would you like cheese with your whine.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Who cares. There is a stupid billboard I pass all the time on the New Jersey Turnpike that is telling me that I am going to hell because I have not accepted Jesus.


Good thing the next rest stop always carries SPF 1,000,000.

Right? If you don't believe in it, how in the hell can it be offensive?

I can only speak for myself here, but I don't go to church for Christmas or any other noted holy day either.

My kids know that it's Jesus's birthday and on Jesus's birthday, they get lots of presents and mum and dad have lots of friends, food and wine.

That's my Christmas, no billboard with messages necessary.

originally posted by: seeker1963
Right? If you don't believe in it, how in the hell can it be offensive?

Exactly my friend. You are right on the money with your posts.

Bunch of big babies, is your faith that weak that some pointless billboard is going to overwhelm it?

If a billboard makes you question your religion, your faith was not very strong.

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

So do you have an answer to my question?

If the billboard says, Skip a prayer, but be good for goodness sakes.

Does the message work for you? It's not telling you you can be good without religion. It's tempting you to skip rituals you, as a person of faith, might think are part of what you need to be good.

To be clear, I am looking at it from an editorial perspective. It's sly, but it's there. How things are worded do make a difference as to their intent.

originally posted by: DISRAELI
I've never understood religious controversy via billboard, in either direction.
What reason is there to think that this message will change anyone's behaviour?
Those always intending to go, will go. Those without the intention won't go.

The idiots on one side of this ridiculous endeavor just have to poke. The idiots on the other side get offended and retaliate as if they are talking about them and their families. It's nuts. Just stop.

originally posted by: intrepid

originally posted by: Raggedyman
Another attack on Christianity, seems endless

Why isn't their a billboard saying skip the mosque, the temple as well?
It's not ok politically to offend any religious people but Christians these days

this world is becoming stranger by the day, no wonder there is a rise in fundamentalism

The last I looked Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, etc don't celebrate Christmas. But don't let that stand in the way of a good pity party.

Didn't know they didn't, isn't Christmas just about Santa and happy holidays, know plenty of other religions who partake in festivities

Are you so naive to think this is about christmas
This is an attack on a type of religion, it is singling out a group in the community, alienating them and offending their beliefs
While at the same time, protecting others with different beliefs

This advertisement has a single purpose, to cause a negative reaction

Just like your comment "pity party", it's all about you trying to feel superior by putting others down.
The sad thing is you have to put others down to make yourself feel good.
I am guessing an inferiority complex, self loathing and distant parents.

a reply to: intrepid

Only a matter of time before they try to get billboards of their dongs up there with a caption that says, 'Nah-ah, ours is bigger!'.

a reply to: ketsuko

So do you have an answer to my question?

Not really.

You're looking for logic in a billboard from people who dislike Christianity but can think of nothing better to do than talk about Christianity.

There is no logic involved.

a reply to: intrepid

It's nuts. Just stop.

Where is the fun in that for the neutral observer?

originally posted by: Raggedyman

originally posted by: intrepid

originally posted by: Raggedyman
Another attack on Christianity, seems endless

Why isn't their a billboard saying skip the mosque, the temple as well?
It's not ok politically to offend any religious people but Christians these days

this world is becoming stranger by the day, no wonder there is a rise in fundamentalism

The last I looked Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, etc don't celebrate Christmas. But don't let that stand in the way of a good pity party.

Didn't know they didn't, isn't Christmas just about Santa and happy holidays, know plenty of other religions who partake in festivities

You should do a little research on Christmas. It's as Christian as Buddha.

Just like your comment "pity party", it's all about you trying to feel superior by putting others down.
The sad thing is you have to put others down to make yourself feel good.
I am guessing an inferiority complex, self loathing and distant parents.

Nope. Feeling fine. Just sick of "They're attacking me...." crap. That's what one relies on when logic doesn't work.

a reply to: Raggedyman

We celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas at home as we feel that family is very much part of the celebration - you know, Father/Son, as well as Salvation - so skipping church is not an issue.

The idea is the temptation to celebrate in a secular manner rather than your religious one if you are someone who does not have the discipline to celebrate your faith on your own.

This doesn't bother me in that it's a billboard and no one should give an advertisement that much power in their life, but I do think the OP got his reading of the billboard's language a bit wrong.

I read the article in the OP. Can someone point out where all the outrage is? I'm just not finding it. The only thing in the article that is close is someone saying, "...can be insulting to those who are religious and do celebrate it for Christianity and religion in general." That is hardly a statement of rage and offense. Not seeing a link about droves of Christians shutting down an interstate or something.

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

Who cares? They paid their money for the billboard, so thanks for contributing to the economy. Otherwise... I'm kind of befuddled as to why any atheist believes the majority of Christians give a damn whether others attend church or not. Your soul, your decision, your fate, not my circus, not my monkeys. The problems only arise when the atheists start trying to enact changes on traditions outside their own houses.

I'll tell you this, however. I still wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I had someone take exception to it the other day, "correcting" me with "happy holidays." My response was this "No, I meant Merry Christmas because I'm celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Feel free to wish me happy whatever it is you observe, but I'm wishing you a blessed day on the Christian holiday I observe. If you have a problem with that, then feel free to ignore my advice and have yourself a *SNIPPY* day instead."

originally posted by: Baldryck
I read the article in the OP. Can someone point out where all the outrage is? I'm just not finding it. The only thing in the article that is close is someone saying, "...can be insulting to those who are religious and do celebrate it for Christianity and religion in general." That is hardly a statement of rage and offense. Not seeing a link about droves of Christians shutting down an interstate or something.

Shhhh, you're spoiling their narrative-ity scene