The Public Opinion Soapbox

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 400

Chel - I am a Christian, and I think the Budda light is offensive and I think the card is funny.

Did you ever see the Simpsons episode when Apu shows Homer his shrine of Ganesha? Homer walks over the the shrine and says "Hey Ganesha, want a peanut." Apu replies, "Please do not offer my God a peanut."

We are, as a nation, generally wrapped up in our own little worlds with very little understanding or appreciation of what is different. There are millions of Homer Simpsons walking around thinking they are being cute or funny as they mock what other cultures consider holy. I chose to think it's done out of ignorance rather than a deliberate disrespect of others, but there are plenty in my tribe who deliberately mock other religions because they think they have got the answer. It's offensive and disrespectful and contrary to the teachings of Jesus.

Hey - page two! w00t!

koozie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 122

The thing with the Simpsons is that they mock the Christian religion also. I have seen quite a few Simpson episodes that have had derogatory messages in them about God and religion and have found them offensive and am sure others found it funny but that is freedom of expression and I know that they have the right to do so. I did not stop watching the Simpsons because of it because most of the time it is a funny show. Proving the point that people need to get over themselves and move on and not take things so seriously. There are things to be found in every day life that are offensive to some and not to others. We need to learn how to tolerate things and not take life so seriously. Like the line in a song says "Get over it". Life is too short to dwell on the small stuff. That is what causes so much dis-ease in the world, sweating the small stuff.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

Well, I have a new one for all of you...

As you come into Chambersburg on 30 East, just before the split where Dilly's is, there is a new billboard. It reads:

Why do Atheists hate America?

It shows a little girl pledging allegiance to the flag.

Below this is a website:

http://www.ingodwetrustusa.org/

The website reads:

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Chambersburg

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Chambersburg

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

Well, first of all, i should say that I did edit my post a bit, and specifically took out the part where I questioned their allegiance to democracy. I guess I want to get a feel for what people think first.

First of all, i don't think this group is anything like the group of Fred Phelps followers in the Westboro Baptist Church. That's not a Christian organization, it's a group of nuts that consist mainly of Phelps family members. They are universally hated by conservatives and liberals alike.

This organization, InGodWeTrust.org is an off-shoot of the AHEAD organization which I really can't find much information about other than that it is a legitimate, Christian organization. So I just want to make it clear that this organization shouldn't be written off as a bunch of nuts like the Westboro Baptist Church folks who protest funerals.

These likely are the same Jerry Falwell types of people who do believe that Hurricane Katrina was punishment for the "sodomites" of New Orleans and, additionally, truly believe that America is under attack from Atheists despite the absolute fact that at least 90% of Americans believe in God.

In fact, America is most certainly the most religious of any industrialized nation. Perhaps by as much as 5 or 10 times compared to nations like Great Britain, Canada and Australia.

And then there's always Scandinavia. Those countries are the most Atheist in the world yet enjoy the highest standard of living.

So, I guess I just don't like the "false advertising" aspect of this entire thing because Atheists most certainly don't hate America, and even if they did, their puny minority would be meaningless. Maybe some people just believe in the constitution?

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

This really does make me question the legitimacy of this organization though: http://www.ingodwetrustusa.org/survey.html

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Chambersburg

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 400

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

There are a lot of Christians and those of other faiths that keep their religion private. They might go to church but they might choose not to attend a church due to "church" politics & bickering.

Not everyone wants religion in the schools. Not everyone want religion in their government. Say something about it and you get this Coulteresque response on how we hate Christians.

We don't hate Christians - we hate they way they try to push THEIR religion into every aspect of everyone's life.

During the past 16 years, we have seen these religious zealots invade our government. We go to war because the President thinks we are on a mission from God. We ignore global warming because somehow it is an insult to God that puny little an can effect the climate God created. We now have to teach that God created the Earth. and man rode around on dinosaurs.

I heard it said that most strong countries throughout history were Christian based because Christianity allowed for science. Evidently, the evanmgelicals are wanting to push us back to the dark ages.

The rally funny part is that other than fighting abortion in the belief it is murder, everything they do is against the teachings of Christ. They ignore the poor & needy & give the corporations (money changes) power over the citizens, they persecute segments of the population, they advocate war because one man might possibly attack then sometime in the future. Insteasd of fighting for people in need, they were happy to accept a tax cut & shut up - a tax cut -30 pieces of silver.

It will be interesting to see how the Republican Party will cater to these people now that McCain is the nominee.

LocalAtheist · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

The "Imagine No Religion" billboard is now located on US-11 North, about a mile or so south of Johnnies / Nitterhouse. In two months, it will move to Greenvillage, on US-11 North just south of 997 (and Sheetz).

The Freedom From Religion Foundation's original news release is here: ffrf. org/news/2007/pennbillboard.php

The billboard company's rep claims to have been deceived, but they actually came up with a sample ad design -- what did they think "Freedom From Religion Foundation" meant? Rolling Eyes

Sounds to me like she just didn't expect this kind of a response.

It's really nice to have found this thread and discovered that there are some other logical thinkers around.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

Welcome LocalAtheist; no worries, I think you've found a tolerant, open-minded group of locals here. I'm not sure how it happened, but many of the posters here represent something of a minority view for Franklin County.

It seems to me that Keggereis took the money, fielded a couple complaints and then felt compelled to make a statement proclaiming their faith. It's still far less intrusive, to me, than a billboarding asking "Why do Atheists hate America?"

So, as a local atheist, what do you think of that billboard?

LocalAtheist · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

Shhh... I paid for it. Very Happy

(The "Imagine No Religion" one, of course. Wink

)

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

LocalAtheist · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

Just edited my message as you replied. Smile

Didn't mean to scare you.