The video does not include the fact that a Hanukah menorah can also be found in the capitol building. There is a clear difference between the "holiday tree," nativity scene, or menorah and the atheist sign. The religious symbols are meant to celebrate specific religous holidays. The atheist placard serves the sole purpose of offending and demeaning religion. It does not celebrate anything and it is certainly not seasonal in any way. The atheist sign declares, in part: “There are no gods, no devils, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” George Washington would disagree with the sign gracing the halls of the the State of Washington's capitol building. George Washington declared that "reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
But if athiest signs is what it takes to allow for religous holiday symbols, then so be it.
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Thursday, December 4, 2008
Anger Over Washington's Atheism Display In State Capitol Building
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The sign was entirely appopriate for the season. It was making the very valid point that it is Christianity that has taken over what was originally a secular holiday.
ReplyDeleteThe midwinter festival, which predates Christianity by millennia, is a celebration of nature for its own sake. Where do you think the symbol of the tree (now called a Christmas tree) came from?
It's something of a travesty that Christians took it over and made it all about their God.
One can tell if an individual is merely an American by birth or an American by conviction - mere "birthers" will attack any competition to their own beliefs and traditions. So-called "atheists" merely want equal time which is their right and liberty as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. None I have ever spoken to genuinely desire the elimination of Christianity or any other religion. As I like to say, I do not oppose Christianity - or Judaism or Islam - I merely oppose their domination over those who choose to believe differently. It is wrong to suppress peaceful belief and practice, but entirely justified and, indeed, a ethical responsibility to suppress any attempted or factual dictatorship. Have your manger if you wish, but also have respect for my right to speak my beliefs openly and display them publicly even if side by side with your own. It's inconsistent to defend your free speech and religion while suppressing that of another. To do so publicly is rather like displaying your unclean laundry. Perhaps you do not adequately understand what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteBe more than a mere American by birth. Believe and practice those uppermost principles of inalienable individual rights and the liberty to exercise them in return for the respect and liberty to do the same. Be worthy of the name rather than sit comfortably in pretense.