Anti-Claus is coming to Allentown

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-humanists-santa-20101203,0,3831022.story ^

[Red in Blue PA]

The Lehigh Valley Humanists — an 18-month-old group of rationalists, agnostics and atheists — is bringing the so-called "anti-Claus" to speak about the sacred and secular meanings of Christmas at the Allentown Brew Works this weekend.

His name is Tom Flynn. Best-known as the author of a book called "The Trouble With Christmas," he has spent nearly two decades lecturing on why the holiday celebration ought to be tamed for the sake of non-Christians who resent the annual full-scale assault of cheer.

"The bloated feast demands the sacrifice of 36 million trees and causes almost 80,000 tons of discarded wrapping paper to be interred in the nation's landfills," Flynn writes at the outset of the book.

[Red in Blue PA]

WTF is wrong with this country?

[Happy Rain]

And the number of the Beast is (H)0 (H)0 (H)0.

[GQuagmire]

"The bloated feast demands the sacrifice of 36 million trees and causes almost 80,000 tons of discarded wrapping paper to be interred in the nation's landfills,"

This guy must be a hit at parties.

This must be his sister

[Incorrigible]

Bah! Humbug!

[La Lydia]

“Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy” — H.L. Mencken

“Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk” — Joaquin de Setanti

[Russ]

"WTF is wrong with this country?"

50+ years of liberal anti-american values education and liberal/left-wing activist judges.

[Linda Frances]

Yesterday I went to Walmart and noticed the Christmas trees were gone and there was no music on. I was told one person complained. So, I complained that if I am going to spend money for Christmas at Walmart, I want the music and Christmas trees. The Supreme Court needs to rule on this kind of thing. One person complaining ruins it for 10,000 others? Does the aclu/atheist/.... have something we can equally ruin for them? What's really sad is their lives are complete only when they can hurt others.

[Logic n' Reason]

Last time anyone checked, Tom Flynn was a natural born citizen of the US. As such, he has the right to author books, speak intelligently in front of groups who volunteer to hear him, and express his own ideas....regardless of what those who disagree with him may "feel" and or "believe".

If you don't like his message...don't pay attention to it. If you don't like hearing what he has to say, don't listen. If you don't like what he publishes, don't read his works.

It's your ultimate form of censorship. Calling him names, using him to fix blame on what's wrong with this country is not only unfair...it's a bit silly.

But...just like Mr. Flynn, you are entitled to your opinion too. Maybe you should write a book??

[AppyPappy]

The problem is that his views are being forced on the rest of us by the government.

[Vaquero]

People should mind their own beliefs and shut the heck up about other peoples.

Anti Claus

[djpg]

The key word is “resent.” Some atheist hate it when Christians find joy in their faith. Those atheist are like people who resent anyone who has more money than they have. It’s a kind of jealousy that develops into hatred. So they have to do what they can to destroy that joy.

[trisham]

What’s unfair or silly about free speech? Is it fine for Flynn to speak and “express his ideas” but not for someone here?

[Logic n' Reason]

The problem is that his views are being forced on the rest of us by the government.

Seriously?? This I'm not aware of. Can you help me understand?
Really...thanks!

[70th Division]

An atheist sued in court because they had no holidays. The judge gave him one. April First.

[Red in Blue PA]

So we should all just shut up and take it, I see.

[AppyPappy]

Have you not heard of all the religious symbolism being removed from schools and public places? Of even the word Christmas disappearing?

Did you just move to this country?

[Dr. Ursus]

You maybe old enough to remember when in this country the
majority ruled and the minority had rights(politically.)
Now,we have one person with an ACLU lawyer to dictate to
the majority and this is what angers people today.

[Logic n' Reason]

Have you not heard of all the religious symbolism being removed from schools and public places? Of even the word Christmas disappearing?

Hmmmmm....I'm not at all sure if one can make the leap from Mr. Flynn to the "facts" you present....but I suppose that's just me.

What legislation is it that the government has passed that prohibits the use of the word "Christmas" under penalty of law?

True enough...and I believe in honor of the 2nd Amendment.... the govt (correctly or incorrectly) has taken it upon itself to try to remove religious symbolism from some public places and public schools. I'm not sure how successful this effort has been given what I see along our roadsides, in our cities and towns, and during certain religious festival seasons.

So...I'm still willing to learn. To what govt. laws are you referring?

Oh...and as to the "did you just move to this country" comment....
There is no need to get pissy!
I'm willing to engage in useful discourse. I'm willing to learn if you are willing to teach.
If causic and nonsense statements will take the place of teaching on your part, I'd rather skip further discussions with you.
No need on your part to respond if that is your direction.

[Vaquero]

as an American, it is my right to disagree, either by gently voicing my difference of opinion, perhaps writing my own tome.....or if I like, vociferously and with passion and perhaps hatred toward the person or persons with whom I disagree with, as long as I do not libel them, or physically prevent them from exercise their rights.

there is no law saying I need to be polite or fawning toward those I disagree with....

[Logic n' Reason]

Now,we have one person with an ACLU lawyer to dictate to the majority and this is what angers people today.

I understand your feeling completely. It does sometimes seem that way, doesn't it?