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New Billboard in NYC Says ‘Nobody’ Needs ‘Christ During Christmas’
The Blaze ^ | Dec. 6, 2013 | Billy Hallowell

Posted on 12/06/2013 4:50:46 PM PST by xzins

Just as millions of Americans are preparing to commemorate Jesus’ birth, a secular activist group is once again taking aim at the traditional purpose for the holiday season, asking in a new digital billboard: ”Who needs Christ during Christmas?”

American Atheists, an activist group known for posting its controversial messages on billboards across the nation, unveiled its latest anti-Christmas ad this week in New York City’s Times Square — a 40′ by 40′ display that is sure to rile critics concerned over the so-called “War on Christmas.”

After asking “Who needs Christ,” the digital billboard shows a hand crossing out Jesus’ name with a marker and text that answers the curiosity with a one word answer — “Nobody.” The next graphic tells viewers to “Celebrate the true meaning of XMAS.”

This “true meaning,” according to the billboard, includes charity, family, friends and food — all secular elements that are associated with Christmas. It concludes with the more general “Happy Holidays” greeting.

Christmas Is Better Without Christ: Atheists Take Their Anti Christmas Message to NYCs Times Square Credit: American Atheists

A press release announcing the new billboard noted that its purpose is to declare that “Christmas is better without Christ.”

“This season is a great time of year for a hundred reasons — none of them having to do with religion,” American Atheists President David Silverman said in the release. “This year, start a new tradition: Don’t go to church. You hate it, it’s boring; you probably only go because you feel guilty or obligated. Instead, spend more time with your family and friends — or volunteer. There are better uses of your time and money.”

American Atheists’ Public Relations Director Dave Muscato went on to say that he believes most individuals aren’t concerned with religious ties during the holiday season and that fun, family and friends are really what observers care about.

.

The 15-second ad is running three times every hour and will be shown in a separate location near New York City’s Penn Station starting next week.

“We all love this time of year. Christianity has been trying to claim ownership of the season for hundreds of years,” Silverman added. “But the winter solstice came first and so did its traditions. The season belongs to everybody.”


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: americanatheists; antichrist; christmas
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To: xzins

Churches should start a JESUS IS LORD OVER NEW YORK CITY ad campaign.


41 posted on 12/06/2013 5:55:07 PM PST by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)
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To: El Cid

Amen!


42 posted on 12/06/2013 5:56:38 PM PST by Former Fetus (Saved by grace through faith)
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To: dragonblustar
Atheists act like a hate group.

Yes they do. It seems like their only reason for being is to attack other religions. These people are bent on starting a religious war.

43 posted on 12/06/2013 6:01:10 PM PST by virgil
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To: stars & stripes forever
I had such high hopes that the war in Iraq would be an opportunity to spread the gospel to the Muslims of the region, but it appears that the opposite has occurred. Prayers for the persecuted church.

LOL.

Even of New York City!

Liberal minds would blow so many fuses, there'd be an entire east coast blackout!

44 posted on 12/06/2013 6:01:39 PM PST by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: CelesteChristi
Why do non Christians celebrate Christmas? Seriously. Why?

They don't know it but they're looking for God. They want to capture the magic of Christmas with family, parties, and presents but they fail miserably and find themselves as empty as ever.

The warmth and love of the season isn't in the trappings of Christmas, it's in Christ.

45 posted on 12/06/2013 6:02:33 PM PST by Kenny
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To: xzins

I made my choice, x.

Everything I am and everything I know tells me it is the RIGHT choice.

And I’ll never give up.

No matter what. No matter how hard the bastards try to drag me down.


46 posted on 12/06/2013 6:02:53 PM PST by bigheadfred
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To: xzins

With all this sales stuff going on before Thanksgiving Christmas has reverted to a secular “sales” holiday. Like in Japan. They go nuts over Christmas but haven’t the foggiest about it all.


47 posted on 12/06/2013 6:17:35 PM PST by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: xzins

Ignore them - like a toddler pitching a fit, they will stop. Always glad to see leftists throw their money away on useless stuff anyway - they are not changing any hearts or minds with this because there is no anti-Holy Spirit out there to convict people that God is not real. All Satan can do is whisper, he can’t really convict anyone.


48 posted on 12/06/2013 6:33:42 PM PST by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite it's unfashionability)
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To: xzins

“...at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow...” These people are in for a bitter surprise.


49 posted on 12/06/2013 6:43:35 PM PST by beethovenfan (If Islam is the solution, the "problem" must be freedom.)
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To: El Cid
Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I'd love to be the first one to take a knee.

50 posted on 12/06/2013 6:45:38 PM PST by gitmo (If your theology doesn't become your biography, it's useless. huh?)
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To: xzins

A better sign would be who needs American Atheists’


51 posted on 12/06/2013 6:49:55 PM PST by bikerman (Obama! if his lips are moving he's lying.)
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To: Kenny

Why do non Christians celebrate Christmas? Seriously. Why?

~~~~~~

They don’t know it but they’re looking for God. They want to capture the magic of Christmas with family, parties, and presents but they fail miserably and find themselves as empty as ever.

The warmth and love of the season isn’t in the trappings of Christmas, it’s in Christ.

~~~~~~

Thank you. Your explanation makes perfect sense.


52 posted on 12/06/2013 6:56:25 PM PST by CelesteChristi
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To: Kip Russell

Why do non Christians celebrate Christmas? Seriously. Why?

~~~~~~~

Well, speaking as an atheist who celebrates the secular aspects of Christmas, I do so because it’s fun. I enjoy giving and getting presents, putting up a tree, watching Rankin-Bass specials, and having Christmas dinner with friends and family.

That having been said, I find the efforts of this group absurd. I couldn’t care less whether someone celebrates Christmas with or without religious aspects...or, for that matter, whether they even celebrate it in the first place.

~~~~~~~

Thank you. I can understand celebrating as an observer. Christmas is a beautiful celebration in all its traditions, and the energy the Holiday brings is joyous.


53 posted on 12/06/2013 7:04:41 PM PST by CelesteChristi
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To: xzins; SkyDancer
Without Christ there will be not Christmas. Certainly not in the religious sense.

What other kind of sense is there?

More to the point what would these people have to celebrate that was worth celebrating and if they think celebrating is trashing denigrating maybe they should celebrate the nihilism of their annhiliation

ok i'll shut up now....then again...

54 posted on 12/06/2013 7:11:07 PM PST by bigheadfred
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To: xzins

Maybe all the ‘Happy Holidays’ people should have their very own celebration - say on January 15th or something - and leave the rest of us alone.

Of course their ‘Holiday’ will be as boring as they are... but it would give us a nice break from them.


55 posted on 12/06/2013 7:19:55 PM PST by GOPJ ("Remember who the real enemy is... ")
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To: xzins
Of course every one of these atheists will be volunteering to work on Christmas Day just as they would on any other day.
56 posted on 12/06/2013 7:23:22 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (Osama Obama Care: A Religion That Will Have You On Your Knees!)
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To: GOPJ

I find something refreshing J. Christmas is back.


57 posted on 12/06/2013 7:23:43 PM PST by eyedigress ((zOld storm chaser from the west)/ ?s)
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To: eyedigress

I find that too... thanks for reminding me.

:)


58 posted on 12/06/2013 7:41:38 PM PST by GOPJ ("Remember who the real enemy is... ")
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To: xzins

15 seconds is a long time.Many people will get mad and go to church:)


59 posted on 12/06/2013 7:44:21 PM PST by fatima (Free Hugs Today :))
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To: eyedigress

I stopped by the Wal*Mart supermarket on the way home tonight to pick up some groceries. I saw my first Salvation Army bell ringer of the season. It brought a warmth to my soul and a lump to my throat

I try to always donate to the SA. Those folks are awesome.


60 posted on 12/06/2013 7:48:19 PM PST by gitmo (If your theology doesn't become your biography, it's useless. huh?)
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