Atheist billboard in St. Charles County has people talking
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO (KTVI) – A billboard in St. Charles County is sparking controversy and conversation. It depicts a girl writing a letter to Santa, but she isn’t asking for gifts. All she wan…
I find it funny that this article goes on to point out that some Christians find it offensive… never mind that there are TONS of Christian billboards all over the place around here. At least an atheist won't come to my door trying to un-convert me.
h/t: my gal pal Lacey on FB
Pretty much a rule of the world – No matter what someone puts up, SOMEONE will eventually find it "offensive".
Very true.
+Riana Elizabeth Spencer Elbel
I'm not sure about finding offence with the message itself, what I find offensive is pooping on someone else's beliefs (and I don't believe in it myself, I just don't feel the need to shove my non-belief in their face). ¬_¬
…..although you are right about the ultra thinness of peoples skins these days. Which is why, though I don't like the degrading of any aspect of someone's personal life, I personally think that if they want to be rude, by all means, have at it. Getting offended by it just gives them what they were looking for. 😉
+Paul Spoerry
I'll give you that. You won't see someone actively try to un-save someone one-on-one, but the aggressive Atheists will collectively (as in this example) attempt to shame you into doubting your beliefs. Although, the religious do that as well………..
……..can't we just be happy for each other, that the other is happy with what they believe?
+West Kagle Their argument would be they aren't shoving non-belief in your face, they're advertising for their conference (on the sign at the bottom) and that it's an effective marketing strategy that would get they atheists attention.
A hard core atheist would tell you that it's the rational persons job to point out the absurdity of the things taught and that many of them are dangerous to use as a species. I personally believe telling your kid if they're not good the devil comes for them is child abuse.
That said, in general I agree and don't run around pushing my beliefs on someone else. That's kinda full of asshattery in my opinion. If they post something, or comment on mine, fair game and discussion is wide open.
As to this one in particular, I'm not sure I see how this pooping on someone's belief is any different than all the Christian church billboards. Even the simple JESUS ones could be offensive. Isn't that pooping on any Hindi people's beliefs, or Buddhists, or of those who don't have a belief?
+Paul Spoerry
Agreed (with almost all). However any thing promoting their religion isn't dumping on the other religions, like the billboard in question, because the Jesus signs don't actually say 'your religion is not real'. That may be the general baseline in every religion (that it's the only true religion) but most stop short of publicly presenting that doctrine.
I want my kids to decide for themselves what they believe. They know where I stand (non-belief) and where their mother stands (belief), and they can explore the possibilities for themselves, they're smart kids (smarter than their dad). I never gave them the whole 'the devil is gonna get you thing'. I told them if they weren't good, Dick Cheney would get them. 😛
BTW, absolutely! If someone wants to post on my stuff, then it's on, and they'll receive the same level of respect as they give. 😉
BWAHAHAHAHHA to the Cheney comment +West Kagle. A actually laughed out loud.
As to dumping on other religions maybe that's true. At first I was about to say this wasn't specifically Christian related but I suppose that's the whole "keep the CHRIST in Christmas" thing right? But I mean seriously though, who in this country runs around proclaiming their is a war on their religion except for the Christians? Do the Buddhists or Jainists? Not last time I checked. Who goes door to door asking to tell you about the word of god? The Muslims or the Sikhisks? Not last time I checked. The only one that lands in all those categories are the Christians. To be fair, we live in a primarily Christian nation (nearly 80% http://religions.pewforum.org/reports) so it would be safe to assume that they would dominate the door-to-door part of religious pushing.
As for targeted attacks, there are plenty of anti-atheist billboards: http://goo.gl/G6V3rs as well as plenty that are just… wrong/weird/wacky… http://www.salon.com/2014/05/06/10_most_absurd_right_wing_christian_billboards_partner/