Posted on 04/25/2008 5:06:24 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Atheists push 'humanist' holidays
By Karen Goldberg Goff April 25, 2008
Now that Earth Day is over, let the planning begin for the summer solstice and World Humanist Day in June.
The Institute for Humanist Studies, an Albany, N.Y.-based nonprofit, is calling attention to its calendar of atheist holidays on its Web site, www.secularseasons.org. The group wants nonbelievers (or at least noncelebrators) to have a handy reference guide of the calendar of holidays honoring free thinkers, banned books and nature, among other themes.
Matt Cherry, executive director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, says his group is trying to expand options and alternatives for secular holidays. He hopes even those affiliated with a particular religion will pay attention to the options.
"Some religious holidays are about culture and tradition, not theology," he says. "Even people who go to church only on Christmas or to synagogue on the High Holidays do so out of cultural heritage, not because they believe the religious doctrines associated with it."
Some of the highlights of the Secular Seasons calendar include Thomas Paine Day (Jan. 29), April Fool's Day (as always, April 1), and Ingersoll Day (Aug. 11). The latter celebrates the birthday of 19th-century thinker Robert Green Ingersoll, who was known as "the Great Agnostic." Secular Seasons recommends visiting his birthplace in Dresden, N.Y., for a holiday celebration. (Hey you only live once.)
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
There should be a law that denies non-religious hoildays to atheists. That’ll fix them.
So, are you proclaiming that you are an atheist?
Just go to any of the e-card greeting sites and you can find many an event (or at least non-event) to celebrate. Personally, I like the ones that relate to the Christian calendar and the anniversaries of significant historical events in the United States of America. I guess if the democrats can ever sink Hillary, I would consider the anniversary of the drowning of the wicked witch of the west as worthy of consideration, and whenever Ozymandaius, King of Kongs, tanks, that would be a good one, too. As we used to say in the Old Corps, every day’s a holiday and every meals a feast.
Why does a political documentary talk about atheism?
Their upcoming “National Day of Reason” this year coincides with May 1st, a/k/a May Day. Hmmm...
Nah, I am an agnostic.
Though most people don’t understand the term. Although it can look like I am an atheist as TO ME, their arguments are more logical regarding the theistic beliefs of the major religions. However, to claim that we are able to “solve” a question such as this is absurd and very narcissistic.
In that regard, I feel as if we can’t know, and will never be able to know the answer to these questions of spirituality.
Flame suit on.
Wait till the next big disaster, Katrina, whatever...then the praying starts.
There are no atheists in foxholes.
“There are no atheists in foxholes.”
Ever read “Good-Bye to All That” by Robert Graves? It’s the memoir of a British solider during WWI.
Do some reading on WWI you will find that there were in fact atheists fearing for their life during war.
Take off the flame suit. I would rather share my fighting position with an agnostic than with an atheist. At least Agnostics say they can’t know.
I am a Christian, and a proud one, but I can discuss my beliefs with those with none.
Regards,
AR
Sure, that's all they had to lose.
“Sure, that’s all they had to lose.”
Haha, very true. I guess what I meant is there were plenty of soldiers who LOST their religion during a crisis.
“there were in fact atheists fearing for their life during war.”
Well, if it’s absolutely all you’ve got...
The flame suit isn’t going away just yet, I am after all an infidel on Free Republic...that usually doesn’t go over too well here :)
As long as religion (or lack thereof) isn’t shoved in my face I am content with the idea of live and let live.
The one thing I will say in defense of people who are non-believers is that most that came to this point of view are not horrible, hedonistic, selfish people. Are there bad atheists, agnostics? Of course, but there are bad Christians, Muslims, etc. as well...being a bad/immoral person is not a characteristic of a belief set, but of being humans.
I came to my own beliefs after many years of studying, thinking, discussing and reflecting upon religion. Not because I am hedonistic.
Thanks again for the civil discussion.
This is from The Onion, right?
Uh. No.
A small handful.
Most were Bible believing Christians; "Fundies" as you would derisively call them.
That's the way I believe it to be. But all this other stuff is a bunch of crap. I have no problems coexisting with Catholics, Christians and Jews. The First Amendment, as it pertains to religion, is about the government not being able to force citizens to be members of a particular religion. Too bad liberals can't get that through their big, fat skulls.
About once a year someone posts a remarkably ignorant comment about "all the deist founders" and this year it seems to be you. Thanks for trying, though, and please come back after you've acquired a little knowledge to go with the pomposity.
The Fool says in his heart, there is no God
So we should give them their April Fools’ Day holiday each year.
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