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Atheists Wage War on Christmas in AnchorageAnti-religion signs on People Mover busesANCHORAGE - Christians like to say that Jesus is “the reason for the season.” But a group of atheists say no time of year should be free from “pagan reverie.” To that end, Anchorage city buses are carrying some very non-traditional Christmas messages. The Freedom From Religion Foundation of Madison, Wisconsin, has spent decades fighting for the secularization of America. The group has turned its attention to Anchorage because a member who lives here wanted to counter the religious theme in December. So 10 People Mover buses are adorned with four different atheist messages. "Our kind member -- and he helped to pay for this -- would feel that he could even lose his job if he came out of the closet as an atheist," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the group, who said she's trying to separate church and state and encourage rational thinking. "If you live your life under a delusion that you're going to have your real life when you're dead, what does that do to you in this life?" "We live in the United States of America,” said Reverend John Carpenter of Baxter Bible Church. “You can believe anything you want to believe. I wouldn't ever go against that. I think, to me, I find it humorous. Almost, you know, as if they were tongue-in-cheek." Carpenter said he's not bothered by the campaign. "I'm not offended when I see those signs. And those signs in particular are not very offensive. They're just, like, it's in your face atheism." But while Carpenter said he's amused and is not offended and said the group has every right to do it, he said it's also a serious matter. The minister said there's proof of God everywhere. "You can say the sky is orange all you want. But it's still blue. And truth is truth. And you can say whatever you want. Truth is truth." One People Mover rider said he wished the city had rejected the ads. “Well, freedom of speech, yeah, but freedom of advertisement, that's a different story," said James Krona. Meanwhile, the controversy rolls through the streets of Anchorage. Four calls were made to various city employees to inquire about the advertising policies for the People Mover buses. None of the calls were returned by airtime. |
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Anonymous said on Monday, Dec 24 at 11:04 PM
Athteists are open minded enough to simply say "prove it". Christians seem to be very closed to any possibility that they may be wrong. That alone tells the whole story. Atheists are NOT waging war- how ridiculous! They are simply asking people to THINK, which many christians seem to not know how to do (without being told what to think).
109965275God said on Monday, Dec 24 at 8:09 PM
Don't be dumb. I'm not real.
109960675Hey Mikey said on Sunday, Dec 23 at 9:29 AM
I am an atheist. It took me a long time to get to this point. I don't really care what you believe in. Just don't push it in my face. There would be no outcry whatsoever with a billboard from the Anchorage Baptist Church on the side of a bus. Though I might shake my head, I wouldn't have a cow over it. The author of this article was looking for sensationalism when he chose the title, and he got it. Way to go Bill. FYI - I have many Christian friends and often read books at their suggestion. I'm currently in "Messiah," by Jerry Thomas and "The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan," by Ellen G. White. I have an open mind and I'm willing to give anyone a chance. But so far, nothing I have read or experienced will change my mind. I also have a copy of the Bible on my Kindle as well as the Quran, The Upanishads, a sacred Hindu text. I have also studied Buddhism, which is more a philosophy than a religion. How many Christians have even bothered to look at anything but the Bible?
109875666Serenity Jackson said on Sunday, Dec 23 at 12:53 AM
One can deny God but no one has power over Him. To suggest that I can control God and drive Him to do anything is absurd. God is in my life on His terms not mine. I simply do what he bids me to do. God is the master and I am His servant. Everything else is irrelevant.
109853825santa said on Thursday, Dec 20 at 6:19 PM
TedTheBear misunderstands atheists entirely. He think "Atheists are firm believers that there is no God. Thus they too have a belief system familiar to all other faiths who do believes in God (or Gods). Absent of religion is by itself, an act of faith. " Atheists don't "believe there is no god"in the same manner xtians believe in god. We simply assert that nobody has shown reasonable evidence for ANY god. That's a critical distinction. We don't assert that there is no god per se. It's a reasonable conclusion given the lack of evidence but if god descended tomorrow and began breaking the laws of physics and started to turn water into wine and we were shown he could create objects out of a vacuum and predict the future...well...then we'd be ready to accept "supernatural" phenomena. There ARE conditions that would lead us to accept the reality of supernatural beings. There is NO condition that could be met to cause a xtian to disbelieve. Except thinking. THAT's a huge difference.
109705346SolaScriptura said on Monday, Dec 17 at 1:34 AM
Atheists: creatures denying their Creator.
109384681Mike C said on Monday, Dec 17 at 12:59 AM
No person of true faith should be offended by something that asks people to think about their beliefs. If your faith is so shallow that it is threatened by anothers beliefs, perhaps you need to look at yourself, not at the other person. And to those who will say that Atheists should not be concerned about religion, look at the militant religions attempting to force their standards on society in general, be it Christian, Muslim or other religion. Faith is personal and individual and does not need government support.
109383876Mike C said on Monday, Dec 17 at 12:51 AM
Atheists are not at war with any religion, as long as that religion does not attempt to take over our lives. Each individual is free to believe or disbelieve as their mind/heart/conscience desires. Those who insist that this is a ....... (fill in the blank) country have lost sight of the meaning of the Constitution. Any and all beliefs are allowed as long as they follow existing laws.
109383726common sense said on Sunday, Dec 16 at 3:10 PM
Christianity is NOT hate- Most Atheists I know are far more familiar with the bible than the average christian. A great many Atheists have read and/or studied the bible, which is WHY they are Atheists. They realize by actually reading the entire book, not just 'cherry picking' scriptures that prove a certain point of view, that the bible is largely the ideas and opinions of a few men. That the 'miracles' are simply stories meant to impress, not fact. That stories like the flood are just that- stories. Meant to incite fear and used to control mindless people. And if you DO insist the story of the flood is literal, then please admit that god feels incest is perfectly fine, else how did Noah's family repopulate the earth?
109360255SolaScriptura said on Sunday, Dec 16 at 5:50 AM
Remember, language presupposes the ontological trinity, and anti-theism presupposes theism. Merry Christmas all!
109331686Christianity is NOT hate said on Saturday, Dec 15 at 7:26 PM
It's unbelievable how some of you atheists here act. You spout off how you know our religion better than we do, yet get it completely wrong. Obviously no one knows the exact date of Jesus Christ's birth, but that doesn't matter, Dec 25 is when we celebrate His birthday, hence it being called CHRISTmas. Also, STOP GENERALIZING US! Just because someone says they are a Christian does not make them so!
109312286Jesus said on Saturday, Dec 15 at 10:02 AM
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’[a]
109285495ColdNAK said on Friday, Dec 14 at 9:45 AM
If you don't believe...then DON'T! Why do all of these groups have to scream "look at me!" Just say you don't believe and let others do so if they choose. Everybody wants drama & chaos these days.
109208376Steve said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 11:59 PM
If you do not beleive in me, beleive in what I say, so say the Prince of Peace, Christ the Lord. Peace to all and Merry Christmas
109094746COOLHEADINALASKA said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:43 PM
Status Quo is God and a comfortable and profitable god for some.
109090225Jim H said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:25 PM
BobD: You write "So A.L. Gaylor says their "kind member" is afraid to come out of the closet for various reasons , including fear of loosing his job ? I guess his faith in his non-faith isn't all that strong." --- The fear of losing his job is most likely because his boss is very religious and would not be happy knowing one his employees is an atheist. It has nothing to do with "faith in non-faith", whatever that means.
109089642haters said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:48 PM
haters never insist on working dec 25 at regular pay rates
109087936Buford Puck said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:35 PM
All gods exist, but only in the minds of their believers.
109087265Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:45 PM
I find it funny that Christians get to be all in-your-face with their religious mantra, and that's completely OK. But when another group does it, it's suddenly seen as controversial and edgy. We don't plaster it as "Christians wage war against Atheism!" when the Christmas decorations are put up everywhere, yet there is a complete double standard when other display their faith (or lack thereof).
109073216cooljulie said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:39 PM
@TheKoozer- Christianity only has one god? Then why so many different ways of worshipping him? Why do some insist Jesus is god, and others that he is god's son? Why do some claim god is a trinity and others say no such thing? All of this simply shows that man makes god in his (man's) image, for if there were truly only one god, then all christians would be in the same church worshipping in the same way. I am not bashing christians, just pointing out the obvious. Atheists are true to one ideal, the scientific method. There are not hundreds of different scientific beliefs, all scientists work in agreement with a common goal of learning. They willingly expose their research for all to examine, and readily admit when they are wrong. Truth is in science and history and the fossil record, not some book of stories and mythology. When christians can prove with facts instead of faith, we'll take them seriously.
109072806Logica_super_Omnes said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:21 PM
The Winter Solstice is the true Reason for the Season. This is finally a reasoned response to the Dark Ages Pope and the Council of Nicea waging War on Yule by coopting someone else's (innocent pagans in Germania and Hibernia) holiday (Yule) for politico-religious purposes (Christmas). Anyone who believes that Jesus, if he even existed, was born in December is deluding themselves and clearly hasn't read that piece of fiction known as the "bible" very well. Happy Holidays!
109071686RegularJoe said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:12 PM
Remember the *REAL* Reason for the Season: Obliquity of the Ecliptic!
109070835Joe C. said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:47 PM
Why is it reported in this manner instead of "Christians wage war on atheists"? They are the ones putting up the plastic baby jesus nativity scenes and trees and lights and.. do i need to go on?
109069285Godless Atheist said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:32 PM
*Dennis - The NC license plate was deemed unconstitutional, because the state wouldn't give purchasers the alternative of a pro-choice plate. In this case, if a Christian organization wants to advertise on the same busses, they are free to do so. Way to be misinformed.
109068201ufo42 said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:22 PM
Anyway, kudos to the city for allowing the ads. Way to uphold the spirit of free speech! Truth is Truth as the good reverend pointed out. We can agree on that even if we don't agree on what Truth is. :)
109067375chrise said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:10 PM
Well, the founding fathers wanted to make sure that they kept ANY and ALL religion out of the Constitution. The words 'in god we trust' were put on money in 1954, at the height of the McCarthy witch hunt. And the pledge never said 'under god' until then, too. Too many people are misinformed about the religion they supposedly 'practice', and they have no idea where Christmas actually came from. As a good Alaskan, I believe in the live and let live philosophy. The ads on the buses are just that: they are meant to make people THINK. Like the ads inside the buses about domestic violence, fetal alcohol syndrome,etc. Kind of like a PSM.
109066215catsmeat said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:09 PM
The Rev. says..." proof of God everywhere." He just doesn't happen to have any with him right now...
109066182Thinker said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:06 PM
"they don't have to believe, BUT God still believes in them ... :)" Which one? Thor is my personal favorite!
109065915ufo42 said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:58 PM
"War on Christmas"??? Give me a break. These ads are a simple (IMHO, long overdue) response to the War on The Constitution which religious nutbags have been waging since they failed to get any references to God into the Constitution in the first place. The chief weapon of the religious extremists (aka American Taliban) has been to whine that their God given right to bully the rest of us is being violated. Since Christian fundamentalists don't read history, but prefer to make it up at the behest of their demagogic leaders, they have no clue that the European population which founded the USA in the first place were in large part trying to escape the persecution and violence associated with the religious fundamentalism which was wracking Europe at the time. In the meantime, Europe has cleaned up its act in this regard, while the American Taliban seems intent on repeating the horrors of the European middle ages.
109065245What? said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:58 PM
Christians like to say that Jesus is “the reason for the season.” I have never heard that before lol. Christmas is about family, friends and generosity, not some dude with a beard.
109065205Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:20 PM
TedtheBear, atheism is the lack of belief in god(s). It is a belief system in the same way as not collecting stamps is a hobby. Atheists ask for evidence. Lacking any credible evidence that is not explained by natural processes, they choose not to believe in the supernatural. Ask an atheist what would cause a change of mind, to believing in, say, the Christian God. You will likely get a reasoned set of examples that would cause such a change. As to misunderstanding the establishment clause of the First Amendment, I guess the Supreme Courts over the last 120 years have misunderstood it as well. The Court has ruled consistently that it means that government action cannot favor or disfavor one religion over another, or over non-religion. (See also Article VI of the Constitution, which forbids any religious test for public office.)
109060795Andee Danner said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:20 PM
The peeps are taking the bait to hate & mudslinging & judging away! Pretty ironic for the religious fronts. Atheist means only one thing: do not believe in God(s). I haven't even met such a demi-god on this planet! I don't swear/use vulgarity. My personal REASON is there's no proof. But plenty of current segregating. In my opinion basing certain topics is a waste of precious time & spirit for a popularity preference contest. I am NOT a favoritism for anarchy nor cruelty. This is a very sad list of commentators & too many assumptions exist in this world. Please look up 'Atheist' in the dictionary. Music is my personal church: Pearl Jam.
109060755TedtheBear said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 11:52 AM
Atheists are firm believers that there is no God. Thus they too have a belief system familiar to all other faiths who do believes in God (or Gods). Absent of religion is by itself, an act of faith. Their attacks on religion is no better then religion attack on them. Belief does not always centered around religion. Separation of Church and State have been misunderstood by everyone since 1776. The entire concept means that the state shall NOT make any one church or faith, the official church or faith of the state. It does not take God out of government. Ceremonial deism is why we have the world "God" on our money. Most of our important founding fathers were not Christian per say. But they were all deist in belief.
109045415dug said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:22 AM
I have decided to follow Jesus. Why? Matthew 25:34 - 46.
109021935Joe said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:09 AM
Why must I have to put up with " Atheist " Cursing and using Gods name in vain. That becomes the ultimet void and waste of hot air
109020735TheKoozer said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:50 AM
cooljulie, Chritianity only has one God, Hinduism is the one one that has multiple gods. If you're going to bash Christians do it right. That is the reason noone likes atheists, they talk like they know what they are talking about, But they don't know, and you just prooved it.
109000425Rich said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:29 AM
Non-believers are the Reason for the Season.
108999195Rich said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 4:25 AM
I have an extra string or two of Christmas lights, if i only knew where the lived i would decorate their porch for them.
108998705givemeabreak said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 1:05 AM
Puleeeze Cant we all just get along?? Why let Christmas bother you?? Ignore the decorations and carols Go celebrate your nothingness!!
108990525cooljulie said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 11:43 PM
We don't use the word 'faith' Bob. We use fact. FACT is, a person can lose their job over many forms of discrimination. 'Faith in non-faith'. Sounds like typical christian nonsense. Enjoy your belief, but please be smart enough to recognize it for just that- belief. Saying a thing is so doesn't make it so. Asylums are full of people who have imaginary friends but we call them crazy. How are christians any different? Don't be sooo surprised, when you die, that there is nothing else. Or, in case there IS a god, better hope you picked the right one to worship! I understand there's many in christianity alone.
108987412BobD said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 11:09 PM
So A.L. Gaylor says their " kind member " is afraid to come out of the closet for various reasons , including fear of loosing his job ? I guess his faith in his non-faith isn't all that strong..People are welcome to believe whatever they choose. When they're sooo surprised when standing before the Lord , I hope they aren't stupid enough to think they can convince Him they made a mistake..
108985945COOLHEADINALASKA said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 11:02 PM
First they christianized the winter solstice festival, and then they commercialized christianity.There's no going back. Too many entrenched interests. Baby Jesus and Santa are too profitable. Heard any unpatented myths lately? Disney will be interested.
108985725Anonymous said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 10:23 PM
'Imagine No Religion'. What a great world! No more religious wars, no more bible based discrimination, mysogyny, hatred, bigotry, xenophobia, intolerance. People free to think for themselves. How amazing that would be! To the person who thinks the messages in the bible are not outdated, then I guess you'd accept incest, slavery, genocide as normal? Yes, the sky is blue Mr Carpenter. That's a truth we can all see and agree on. But we can't see your imaginary friend in the sky, nobody ever has. You can live in a world of pretend, calling it faith, but the truth is, nobody- including you- knows. Maybe there is a god, but nobody knows. The ironic thing with christmas is- Jesus is like Santa for adults. Be nice, not naughty, and you will get a reward. Bible scholars know christmas has nothing to do with the chronological birth of Jesus (according to the bible timeline. There's no historical record that he ever actually existed on earth). Christmas is a pagan holiday, and THAT is truth.
108983855Ray said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 9:52 PM
You mean Zeus right?
108981895Anonymous said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:53 PM
1, relating faith to a celebration of the earth is, a bit unrelated. 2, The Bible is not out dated. The messages in it, work along side times, thousands of years ago as well as right now. This can be confirmed by reading the bible. 3, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Satan is the Prince of the Earth. By "waging war" against Christians, Atheists are conflicting with the very theory/belief they hold.
108978755Dennis Flynn said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:23 PM
Aren't People Mover buses run by city government? Wouldn't allowing these ads be tantamount to an endorsement of a particular viewpoint? After all, a bunch of Godless athiests sued in North Carolina sued to have a pro-life message removed from license plays with that very argument. It's just not enough to not believe in something anymore, now it's "I don't like what you believe in so I do ever want to see it ever!!!"
108976965sure said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 8:14 PM
Till you find one of them pinned in a car upside down on fire burning to death screaming "god save me" then all of a sudden...............
108976445Andee Danner said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 7:43 PM
I am see no reason to be offended by the placards. The message is kinda like 'Earth Day'... "Make Earth Day EVERYDAY". We don't need specific days/times of the year to count our personal 'blessings'. I have personally & countlessly tried to 'fit' in a typical labelled religion & it doesn't work. In my personal view, NO one has any control of what pigment, country, & gender of what they're born into this world. Also, the Bible(s) are outdated for quite some time with specific gender roles. I was getting annoyed about the candidates (Prez) broadcasting their personal religions & flaunting 'family values'. I miss the 70s & 80s... Where EVERYONE can be different/unique & acceptable.
108974175sylvia russell said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 7:38 PM
they don't have to believe, BUT God still believes in them ... :)
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