American Atheists is again using the power billboards to hammer home its
message, just in time for Christmas. In Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Fort
Smith, Arkansas - areas chosen because of nearness to churches and
schools.
In a post at the American Atheists website it is explained:
“Even children know churches spew absurdity, which is why they
don’t want to attend services. Enjoy the time with your family and friends
instead,” said American Atheists President David Silverman. “Today’s adults have
no obligation to pretend to believe the lies their parents believed. It’s OK to
admit that your parents were wrong about God, and it’s definitely OK to tell
your children the truth.”
Sure it's okay if you feel that way. But don't be surprised if a lot of us
find your arrogance off-putting.
It is also okay to agree with your parents about God and to tell your
children the truth about that.
The real truth is, many great minds - both down through history as well as
today - have differed sharply about the God-hypothesis and are found on either
side of the issue.
Sure, some atheists wish the whole matter could be sidestepped by dissing
the concept as unworthy of consideration. But how convincing is that?
Isn't it time atheists come up with something better than the "believing in
God is like believing in Santa Clause" meme?
It just seems to me that serious subject matter should be treated seriously
and with proper respect. I think some on both sides fail miserably at this. You
can read the comments on the AA post for proof of that.
I must admit, I did think that sign was funny though I don't quite know why. But I wonder who they think it would influence - would a person going to church take notice? It's a bit like christians hoping church signboards will influence passers-by.
ReplyDelete"Dear Santa...I'm too old for fairy tales." Yeah, it's funny alright. And it's probably pretty convincing to the already convinced.
DeleteI don't mind the push back. By the time we make it to Florida I'm ready for a barf bucket because of church signs.
ReplyDelete~ Zoe Claus
barf bucket :P
DeletePush back, fair enough. But is that the best they've got? It seems to me a waste of ad revenue. Not thought provoking at all. (Of course, neither is the average church sign - but hey, they probably aren't intended to be.)
DeleteI couldn't agree more, Doug. For all the "intellect" the atheist organizations profess to possess, it's a downright embarrassment to think the best they could achieve is the equivalent of a "Yo mama ..." zinger ... oy vey :P
DeleteHi Robert. Thanks for the comment. Yeah, it just seems to me that AA would have better put those bucks to use printing literature. I see no margin in those billboards.
DeleteLooks like it was the best they've got. Maybe they need help with their slogans. Volunteer Doug. *grin* ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'll pass! :-) There's something so wrong with equating belief in God to belief in fairy tales. For one thing, most of us DO believe in fairy tales. Not in that they are literally true, but rather that they serve as metaphors of deeper and abiding truths.
DeleteI've been thinking of chiming in on my blog with something that I think would be better. I should probably pass too! Yikes.
DeleteWell, as a former believer you have a unique perspective. By that I mean, you understand how your heart was then - even if now you believe that heart was misguided. Insults usually do little to change minds. I slowly transitioned to a more secular celebration. But I'll confess it to you: Rankin & Bass' stop action special The Little Drummer Boy still brings a tear to my eye (I have it on DVD!) It came out when I was 8 or 9, and I don't know if it still airs (and I don't have cable). I still greatly love the Christmas season - and if that means I'm still a child at heart ... I hope I never grow up.
DeleteAs a former believer who suffered from spiritual abuse . . . that's where my default lies. It's from there that I sort through all of this . . . that was the greatest insult. So I get the push-back idea. However, farther along in the journey, I also know that for me I am the testimony that atheists aren't immoral, unethical, Satan-led minions. So I prefer to think of being a humanist who puts up a billboard that shares my love for being alive even at Christmas.
DeleteZoe, you are my treasured cyber friend and I hesitate to say anything because in no way do I want to add to your pain. Perhaps I am misunderstanding about the "push back" thing. I'm just not a fan of collective guilt.
DeleteHoping my recent blog post explains this?
Delete