ATHEISTS DESERVE THEIR OWN HOLIDAY—NOTHINGDAY

Catholic League ^ | December 23, 2004 | William Donohue

[NYer]

 

December 23, 2004 

ATHEISTS DESERVE THEIR OWN HOLIDAY—NOTHINGDAY 

Catholic League president William Donohue released the following comments on the Christmas wars today:   

 

“Robert Tiernan, a spokesman for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, is demanding that atheists be represented in next year’s Parade of Lights in Denver.  He wants a ‘winter solstice’ float instead of a Christian one.  He deserves better.

 

“Atheists deserve to have their own holiday—Nothingday—the purpose of which would be to honor what they believe in, which is absolutely nothing.  Nothingday would be held on the day of the winter solstice and would be celebrated by holding nationwide conferences explicitly designed to accomplish nothing. 

 

“For example, there would be seminars and workshops on the virtue of standing for nothing.  Participants would be invited to watch a video on the meaning of Nothingday and would then discover—to their utter delight—that there’s nothing on the tape.  Tables outside conference rooms would be set up, though there would be nothing on them.  Breakout sessions would allow participants to huddle in corners for the express purpose of doing nothing.  When they reassemble, their team leader would be able to report that they have accomplished absolutely nothing.  Naturally, no minutes would be kept. 

 

“They would then repair to the cocktail lounge where they would all be given empty glasses.  Dinner would follow, though nothing would be served.  At the awards ceremony, those who best represent the spirit of nothing would, of course, be given nothing for their efforts.  Best of all, the keynote speaker wouldn’t open his mouth, allowing everyone to just sit there, staring endlessly into space.

 

“Quite frankly, this sounds a heck of a lot better than the conferences I’ve been to.”

 

The Catholic League is the nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization. It defends individual Catholics and the institutional Church from defamation and discrimination.
 

[Manic_Episode]

I don't believe in atheists.

[Squawk 8888]

Exactly. It's no better than the way the DUmmies portray Christians.

[SamAdams76]

I couldn't be bothered. To me, Christmas IS a holiday. But for all the get-a-lifers who want to take Christmas away from the rest of us, I say PUT THEM TO WORK! They have no right taking a holiday they don't believe in.

[L98Fiero]

You know, the TRUE athiests I have met have no problem with Christianity, they just don't belive in God themselves. The ones I have met seemed to be nice, good people, no more likely to be offended by religion than you or I.

However, the other group of so-called athiests (naturally, the loud group) are simply what you say, Christian-haters. I really believe these people have a paranoid delusion. I also think they are small, weak-minded, pseudo-intellectuals who are nothing more than jealous of a Christian's faith, love and fellowship with God.

[Squawk 8888]

This one's better- from Depeche Mode:

Sitting target
Sitting waiting
Anticipating
Nothing
Nothing

Life
Is full of surprises
It advertises
Nothing
Nothing

What am I trying to do
What am I trying to say
I'm not trying to tell you anything
You didn't know
When you woke up today

Sitting target
Sitting praying
God is saying
Nothing
Nothing

Always
Knows the prospects
Learnt to expect
Nothing
Nothing

[doc30]

The Winter Solstice is already a Pagan Holiday so thay can't use that date. For a holiday called NOTHINGDAY, I propose either November 31 or January 31st. Perfectly fitting.

[26lemoncharlie]

Christians must start to stand togther. Our Religious liberties, which we thought were secure under the Contstitution are constantly under attack. We cannot allow this to continue. Be it Politically or otherwise, we must get actively involved to retain our Constitutional Rights and fight against the Persecution that the Socialist Democrats have in store for us.

If you are a Democrat, chnage your Registration, it doesn't have to be Republican. The goals that the Democratic Socialists in the US can be seen in Holland today. If that is not where you want to go, the Change you registration.

We all have tostart thinking AMERICAN and our CONSTITUTION First. The Two main Politcal Parties support many of our goals, for some there are mixed emotions.

[dmz]

I guess that's my question, though. Your personal and private, hell, your public celebration of Christmas at your home and at your church is NOT being taken away by anyone.

The issue really seems (IMHO) to revolve around how the stores represent the season.

How the economic sector handles this time of year has ZERO bearing on anyone's celebration of the birth of Christ (almost by definition).

[lonestar]

I wish them nothing!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1307203/posts

[AmericaUnited]

Atheists have their very own holiday - Judgment Day.

[cosmicassassin]

Thank you. I don't believe in any form of religion. I actually despise organized religion, but I don't go out of my way to bother anyone. I don't mind having a discussion about religion, but nothing heated. I don't believe that makes good conversation or friends.

The idea of nothing day is ludicrous. We don't need holidays for everyone. It's like the plethora of awards shows now, so everyone can win every category. I wish religious people would stop trying to impose their beliefs on me, and I'll try to stop other atheist from doing the same. Because in the end, how do we know what is the one true religion. Is it Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, or (insert your religion here). I figure the above sentence will cause some to send heated replies, but it's meant to be for an enlightened discussion, not to start a flame war where everyone attacks me.

To summarize, nothing day shouldn't exist. For atheist, Christmas day is a national holiday in Canada, you have to take it off, or get paid a shit load more for showing up. So no choice there. Plus, Christmas has lost most of its original meaning and has become a commercialized day which businesses definitely enjoy.

[Marylander]

Very fine carol, but why not both?

[sleepy_hollow]

Perhaps, but all atheists are liars. Let me demonstrate.

If atheists believe in nothing, then their belief in nothing is a belief in something which means they are lying when they say they believe in nothing.

It's like saying there are no absolutes. Of course there are absolutes. The assertion that there are no absolutes is, itself, an assertion of an absolute. It is a nonsensical one, of course, but it is one nonetheless.

So, to all my atheist friends, please stop using logic to gain favor for your position and beliefs since they are wholly illogical. You should also stop relying on science, engineering, and your own senses, including sight and the ability to read what I have written here.

In fact, atheism is willful insanity. I mean this sincerely.

Merry Christmas.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I think that the flaming and such is because of the atheists who are trying to remove all religious symbols of the holiday, and those trying to remove under God from the pledge. There are many, that I have spoken to, who do not care if there is a nativity scene of Christmas Caroling. This is another case of a few outspoken activists causing trouble for the rest. You have the right not to believe just as others have the right to believe in what ever religion they worship.

[cosmicassassin]

In fact, atheism is willful insanity. I mean this sincerely. Please explain, I don't see how not believing in religion, or a God, inherently makes me insane.

[VOA]

"Enjoy The Void" Day
would be my choice.

[HELLRAISER II]

I think you're wrong, I grew up with a Christian Mom & an a Atheist father and even though my father doesn't belive in God he does believe in Christian Values. Such as (most of) the 10 Commandments and he as well as I am upset with all the @$$holes who are destroying one of the most holy holidays for we Americans. My point is I Love Christmas and all that it stands for and I'd gladly stand at your side to defend it against these pricks!

[Sensei Ern]

Much of what he described is already in practice. It's called Public School.

[Raycpa]

Can I become a member of the "nothing" clergy ?