Santa Monica atheists declare war on Christmas

Santa Monica atheists declare war on Christmas

Atheists have declared Santa Monica a warzone on Christmas after hijacking the seaside city’s traditional nativity displays.

www.telegraph.co.uk...

For more than six decades, religious groups have recreated life-size scenes depicting the birth of Jesus, alongside statues of the Virgin Mary and the three wise men, on the city’s cliff top promenade.
But this year the traditional tableau in Palisades Park was replaced with a battleground on religion.
Instead of Jesus being rocked softy in a manger, passers-by were greeted with images of Satan, Father Christmas and Jesus with the strap line: "37 million Americans know a myth when they see one... What myths do you see?"
Fifteen of the boxes were simply left empty with a security fence surrounding them.
Councillors were forced to pool requests for the spaces in a lottery this year after atheist groups objected to the traditional use of the displays

I guess someone isn't getting any presents for Christmas.

reply to post by isyeye


Never understood Atheism, was an agnostic atheists for a while then a agnostic theists and now sort of a deist as the sheer math of all this is overwhelming... But denying SANTA...??? Especially this time of the year...at least wait till the 26th in case you just got a rock or some coal or nothin to spout such blasphemy!

Next you will be telling me that my pumpkin patch is insincere!

reply to post by isyeye


It's one thing to be against religion in general, or even against a specific religion.. but to go out of your way to brutally attack a religion in public like this, especially on sites people of a specific religion host a religious display.

Well frankly that's disgusting.

Why do atheists put their signs up with other religious messages, I thought atheism wasn't a religion?

reply to post by Rockpuck


I'm just reporting the news.....nothing more. I don't condone the action at all.

These people are giving a bad name to atheists everywhere.
The number one rule of atheism is not to push your belief's upon others.

Wow.....their ignorance is astounding....

X-mas is based off Paganism and The Greek Winter Solstice Celebrations.

ancienthistory.about.com...

Not off Christianity, which is VERY Paganistic as well, about 3/4 of Christian Religion is Paganistic.

Those Atheists are very poorly informed and need to read a lot more to actually know what X-mas is all about...

so sad...

reply to post by isyeye


I have always found atheists argument interesting and somewhat close to a double standard. Aside from major holidays, when we trot out the religion along with Santa Clause, as well as funerals, atheists get the rest of the year for themselves, which is to say everywhere you look you wont find signs of religion being overly obnoxious.

Is it possible for the atheists to give us our holidays? Afterall they get the rest of the year for their non belief.

Religion and beliefs aside, what is SO wrong with having just one day of the year for families, friends and assorted loved ones to be together in the name of peace and festivity?

Sure, there's the whole commercial/materialistic aspect (which I too, am guilty of...sue me) but throughout the year while we all struggle and watch the world bleed, is there really any need to discourage the tradition?

What about all the little kids who so love Christmas, Santa and everything that comes with Christmas? Let the innocent little ones enjoy it, be happy, laugh and smile with their families and little mates!

Religious or not, it is a great time of love, togetherness, reflection and the solidifying of the bond between loved ones.

Atheists..those who have given up on the search for divinity and answers to lifes questions. It's the easy way out IMO

I would think that Pagans would be really upset that Atheists keep attacking one of their holidays. Haven't Pagans gone through enough? First the Christians coup on the holiday and now Atheists wont leave it alone...when is the madness going to stop?

Aren't these the same people who have those "Tolerance" bumperstickers on their cars? Funny how that works out, isn't it?

This is really truly sad.
IF religion exists or not, it's not for anyone to scream 'Yes it does and you're wrong to not believe' OR "No it doesn't and you're wrong for believing'.

It is a personal choice and belief. If something makes someone feel happier and causes them to do well with their lives and care for others, what's the harm? I know athiests, religious folk and even satanists who do well with their lives and care for others. It's a HUMAN choice to do so, but if what you personally believe helps cement those ideals more, bless you for it.

This is just ridiculous to go to such lengths to try and tell another how to believe like 'you' do. ('You' = those who participated in those things in the Opening Post. 'You' = those on websites or on the streets who try to tell others their rightful opinions and beliefs are wrong, no matter what side of the fence you are on). Truly, who is right? Who is wrong? Simultaneously both sides , ALL sides are right and wrong.

Right because it's an opinion. And all opinions are 100% correct because the person who holds said opinion believes it 100%. Who cares how different each opinion is; even right to left, up to down, backward to forward - each person believes their opinion 100%. They feel they are correct. Tell them they are wrong. They'll tell you you are wrong. Arguements start, never end because of it being a War on Opinions. You can't win that. Ever.

So, folks, we just respect each other FOR holding to our beliefs and opinions 100% and holding true to them. It's really the last freedom a man has. His beliefs and opinions. Why mock them? Why cut them down? It's the same as arguing like this:

Child A: "I have an oatmeal cookie. It's the BEST."

Child B: "I have a chocolate chip cookie. IT'S the best."

A: "No it's not. Oatmeal is the best. Yours is disgusting."

B: "Wrong! Chocolate Chip is SO good. Oatmeal is gross and they should be banned."

A: "What? You're insane. Oatmeal is amazing. Everyone knows Chocolate Chip is just bland and boring and yuck."

B: "I tried Oatmeal before. I nearly got sick. Even my other friends tried and didn't like it. You're just weird."


See how it is? See? Both sides are correct because they like what they like and love what they love and will defend their love.

Same goes for .... anything in the world we all fight over. Religion, politics, money, etc.
If we all finally would just learn this most simple of morals: Respect the next man's opinions and beliefs, even if... no.. ESPECIALLY IF they differ from your own, because you bring more peace via respect than trying to be the 'man on top'. Besides. If you stop to listen to other sides, opinions and beliefs, you learn SO many amazing things. No one forces you, you, you or even you to believe anything you don't want to (okay, a few small amounts DO but... they also do it based on an opinion; think Jehovah's.) because you have your choice to listen politely or just...walk away. But kindly. Walk away kindly.

I may love snakes and rats and think skunk spray doesn't smell all that bad - but I still deserve to be loved and appreciated for my likes and beliefs just as you do for your own. An example again, but still.

Just love the differences in everyone. It's what makes us so unique and awesome.

reply to post by isyeye


I do not see this as an attack on Christmas at all. Santa Monica opened a public forum when they allowed a religious group to put up a religious scene on Government property. Freedom of Religion does not mean just Christianity. If the Atheists want to put up a display, they have that right. If Wiccan want to erect a big lighted Pentagram with the words "Happy Yule," or "Praise the Goddess" then they have a right to do so. This is what Religious rights and Freedom or Religion means, people. Christianity does not run America.

Evangelising atheism.
Lets not kid ourselves atheism is a religion, why do they try to deny it.

Originally posted by autowrench
reply to post by isyeye

 

I do not see this as an attack on Christmas at all. Santa Monica opened a public forum when they allowed a religious group to put up a religious scene on Government property. Freedom of Religion does not mean just Christianity. If the Atheists want to put up a display, they have that right. If Wiccan want to erect a big lighted Pentagram with the words "Happy Yule," or "Praise the Goddess" then they have a right to do so. This is what Religious rights and Freedom or Religion means, people. Christianity does not run America.

Christianity FOUNDED America.
Read our delcaration of independence, POA, or constitution.
No god would have meant no America.

Funny, how christians fought and died for those Athiest's rights to disrespect the peopel and nation that allows them to show disrespect to their own country.

Those are the people that will get joy out of teling a child Santa isn't real and gleefully watching them cry.

selfish.

Hope that 13 year old from the other thread doesn't see this and finds out Santa is fake!

Anyway, I used to be atheist and now I have developed spiritual believes. While I still don't mind atheists at all, I think this is just a dumb waste of money. People can believe whatever they want, religious advertisements from either christians or atheists annoy me.

Originally posted by Ferris.Bueller.II
Aren't these the same people who have those "Tolerance" bumperstickers on their cars? Funny how that works out, isn't it?

bout says it all

Originally posted by BadNinja68
Christianity FOUNDED America.
Read our delcaration of independence, POA, or constitution.
No god would have meant no America.

Funny, how christians fought and died for those Athiest's rights to disrespect the peopel and nation that allows them to show disrespect to their own country.

Those are the people that will get joy out of teling a child Santa isn't real and gleefully watching them cry.

selfish.

"Funny, how christians fought and died for those Athiest's rights to disrespect the peopel and nation that allows them to show disrespect to their own country."

While I agree the ad is dumb, I respect their right to post it.

Originally posted by Ferris.Bueller.II
Aren't these the same people who have those "Tolerance" bumperstickers on their cars? Funny how that works out, isn't it?

Hey, not everyone who has those stickers are atheists, I know a family with one and they are not.

I am personally a fan of those stickers and I am not an atheist nor do I like this ad.

This would have been a good thread if OP would have added some more text. OP if you provide some text in your opener, describing how you feel about the issue in your thread ? It gives others a base for discussion and hopefully you end up with a better thread.

I have to say this much tho. This is one issue I would gladly take up sides with the atheists on.

Can you imagine ? Mr. XYZ and Randyvs tag teaming old St. Nick. The only thing that might be a lil sketchy about this is Santa Monica ? Yeeeaah IDK !