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Humanists Push for Godless Holidays (first nationwide "godless holiday campaign." launched)
Sphere ^ | 11/23/2009 | Dana Chivvis

Posted on 11/23/2009 3:57:34 PM PST by SeekAndFind

As Americans gear up for the holiday season, they're fine-tuning wish lists, digging out unfortunate Christmas sweaters and bracing for the onslaught of holiday advertising campaigns.

This year adds a new contender to the long list of groups vying for attention, and it comes with a twist. The American Humanist Association today launched its first nationwide "godless holiday campaign." Its slogan: "No God? ... No Problem!"

The ads, which show smiling people in Santa hats, will appear first on Washington, D.C., buses and subway trains over Thanksgiving weekend. In early December the campaign will expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago.

Humanism is a philosophy that says people don't need the framework of an organized religion or belief in a supernatural deity to live morally. Humanists believe people should lead their lives in a way that benefits society at large.

Or, as some of the ads put it: "Be Good for Goodness' Sake."

The American Humanist Association, based in Washington, D.C., promotes humanism and advocates for a secular government. Executive Director Roy Speckhardt said one purpose of the ad campaign is to build awareness of the humanist movement among people who don't already belong to a specific religion.

"We want to change the way people think and talk about nontheists, and to pave the way for acceptance of humanism as a valid and positive philosophy of life," he said in a statement.

Similar ads have appeared in the United States before, and not without controversy.

Earlier this month, a Cincinnati billboard sponsored by the United Coalition of Reason was taken down after the billboard company received threats. The ad showed a blue sky with white clouds and the words, "Don't believe in God? You are not alone." It was later put up at a different location.

A similar story played out earlier this year in Iowa when ads sponsored by the Iowa Atheists & Freethinkers were temporarily removed from Des Moines buses after the transit authority got complaints.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority said it based its decision on an agency policy against allowing the word "God" in promotional materials. The ads were later put back up.

Speckhardt said he hopes the godless holiday campaign reaches people who fear prejudice because they do not belong to a traditional faith.

It's a group that's rapidly expanding. In 2008, one in five people in the U.S. did not claim a religious identity, according to a survey conducted by Trinity College.

"The challenge to Christianity in the U.S. does not come from other religions but rather from a rejection of all forms of organized religion," according to the survey's Web site.

Humanists are not out to cause a stir with their ads, Speckhardt said. "Of course, it's obvious that many people are also good with a belief in God. So I hope we can all find common ground."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: god; godless; holiday; humanist
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To: SeekAndFind
"No God? ... No Problem!"

God? No Problem!

21 posted on 11/23/2009 4:19:17 PM PST by IronJack (=)
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To: SeekAndFind

I wonder if they would have the courage to post a “Don’t believe in Allah? You are not alone.” campaign slogan too and I wonder if the ad companies and media would continue to be so positive toward such a campaign.

Methinks no.


22 posted on 11/23/2009 4:19:30 PM PST by Dragonspirit (Always remember President Token won only by defecting on his CFR pledge.)
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To: Crim

You mean a test of faith? I can handle that. It’s the kids, who are trying to find themselves that I worry about.


23 posted on 11/23/2009 4:20:10 PM PST by marstegreg
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To: SeekAndFind
It is a rare atheist who can properly define where their rights end and those of others begin. Personal discipline and self-regulation are hardly universal in the absence of a belief in a higher power whose Commandments define behavioral boundaries proper to human beings, and thus define what is meant by "civilization".

It has been my experience, and I think that of many others, that people who believe in no greater value than their own instant need tend to gravitate toward those inclined to provide it, at others' expense.

The result is that "needs" are commonly conflated with rights, so that mere desires become the subject of legal claim, including the purported "right" not to be exposed publicly to the religious faith of others, which is only one among many such false claims of "offense", from which some people infer it is the State's duty to protect them.

And, as dictatorship is the only extant form of government capable of providing this protection, many who deny God's existence are naturally impelled toward it, in the hope that they may be sheltered from beliefs by which they are personally offended and which cause them no harm, other than perhaps, to their consciences.

24 posted on 11/23/2009 4:30:55 PM PST by andy58-in-nh (America does not need to be organized: it needs to be liberated.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Atheism is a religion, and it is treated as a religion in most, if not all, religious studies programs at universities. It has all the characteristics of a religion, so it is not surprising that it is trying to “evangelize” others. The use of the term “humanist” is not limited to Atheists. There is such a thing as Christian humanists, such as Martin Luther and others of the Reformation. Even Erasmus of Rotterdam is considered a humanist. Even the term, “freethinker,” is odd. There is no such thing as a “freethinker,” if you mean that none of our ideologies or views are without influence. I have never met a “freethinker” that was not dogmatic, nor have I ever met one that was not influenced by another person's views. What humanist and freethinkers really mean is that anyone that does not subscribe to their views are blind and dumb. What an enlightened point of view./sarc
25 posted on 11/23/2009 4:32:07 PM PST by Nosterrex
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To: SeekAndFind
"Be Good for Goodness' Sake"

First, in the original use of this expression, Goodness is used here so as not to take the Lord's name in vain. Second, without God, what is goodness? Goodness is a quality of being good, but without God, who is the arbiter of goodness?

As for names of atheist holidays, how about:


26 posted on 11/23/2009 4:33:07 PM PST by kosciusko51
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To: Dragonspirit

I wish someone with money and time would have those signs you mentioned posted on billboards, busses, etc. “Don’t believe in Allah? You’re not alone.” Great!!


27 posted on 11/23/2009 4:44:29 PM PST by charlie72
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To: SeekAndFind

Sick Sick, sick people.


28 posted on 11/23/2009 4:50:08 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: SeekAndFind
The ads, which show smiling people in Santa hats, will appear first on Washington, D.C., buses and subway trains over Thanksgiving weekend. In early December the campaign will expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago.

What's the point, if you can't get rid of the stupid Santa crap? In San Francisco, it's been Christmas since Nov 1st. All the stores went into full Christmas-mode the day after Halloween. Putting up trees, displays, lights, ornaments... And I saw yesterday that someone in a private residence has already put their tree up, BEFORE Thanksgiving. It's a painfully long season for those of us who hate SECULAR Christmas. And there's still over a month to go. Can't wait for the bell-ringers! (Not!)

What I'd like is a Santa-free Christmas. No red and green, no reindeer, no bell ringers, no jingles!!! (Some stores and radio stations are already playing Xmas songs.) If a store is playing jingles, I will walk out. (As I did the other night when I walked into a Baby Gap.) It's not even Christmas, it's not even Thanksgiving, it's just a calculating ploy to get us to buy. Macy's was no better, with red garlands and red trees. And that was last week.

29 posted on 11/23/2009 5:00:57 PM PST by my_pointy_head_is_sharp
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To: Julia H.

They say that humanism is a valid philosophy and way of life—too bad they don’t give the same respect to believers. They want to be validated while tearing down religion every chance they get.


30 posted on 11/23/2009 5:04:00 PM PST by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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To: SeekAndFind
Humanism is a philosophy that says people don't need the framework of an organized religion or belief in a supernatural deity to live morally. Humanists believe people should lead their lives in a way that benefits society at large.

Then why did I see an article that cited 'humanist chaplins'?

Atheist Student Groups Flower on College Campuses [No Hope & No Change Voters?]:

In another sign of growing acceptance, at least three universities, including Harvard, now have humanist chaplains meeting the needs of the not-so-spiritual.

31 posted on 11/23/2009 5:08:12 PM PST by ApplegateRanch (Build more nuke plants now: Proven technology, proven safety, proven Lib-maddening power!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Perhaps they can worship on Obama’s birthday.


32 posted on 11/23/2009 5:08:40 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (The Second Amendment. Don't MAKE me use it.)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtZR3lJobjw.
33 posted on 11/23/2009 5:09:39 PM PST by Poe White Trash (Wake up!)
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy
“Humanists believe people should lead their lives in a way that benefits society at large.”

Who determines what is beneficial to society at large?

34 posted on 11/23/2009 5:11:56 PM PST by stayathomemom (Beware of cat attacks while typing!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Why don’t they just not celebrate holidays they don’t like?


35 posted on 11/23/2009 5:15:55 PM PST by Trillian
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To: stayathomemom

Can’t fool you. I spotted that angle right away as well. Liberals always insist they know what is the best for all of us, as long as it doesn’t involve individuality, creativity, liberty and other such things liberals shun.


36 posted on 11/23/2009 6:08:59 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: SeekAndFind

There’s already a national holiday for atheists. April 1.


37 posted on 11/23/2009 6:40:21 PM PST by zeugma (Raise the IQ of the planet: Nuke mecca during haj.)
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To: SeekAndFind

It’s very very sad, they have no idea what they’re doing. Faith is a gift! and a responsibility.


38 posted on 11/23/2009 6:51:23 PM PST by Gapplega (j)
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To: gidget7

Why, how Christ like of you to propose putting your brother Christian out of business or out of his job, just because the city where they happen to live and work has a stupid policy.

Not at all the same as not patronizing a business that promotes this.


39 posted on 11/23/2009 10:04:28 PM PST by ApplegateRanch (Build more nuke plants now: Proven technology, proven safety, proven Lib-maddening power!)
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