Posted on 12/01/2010 1:17:50 PM PST by NYer
Prompted by a billboard calling Christmas a myth, the Catholic League erected a pro-Jesus billboard Tuesday.
MANHATTAN — The Catholic League, upset over an anti-Christmas billboard at the New Jersey entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, threw a "counterpunch" at atheists Tuesday with a billboard of their own on the New York side of the tunnel.
The new 26-by-24-foot billboard at Dyer Avenue and West 31st Street features a depiction of Joseph and Mary looking adoringly at baby Jesus, with the message: "You know it's real. This season, celebrate Jesus. Merry Christmas from the Catholic League," according to the Catholic League's website.
The sign is a direct response to a similar billboard erected last week above the New Jersey entrance to the tunnel by an organization called American Atheists, according to Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League.
Their billboard also features a nativity scene, but with an entirely different message: "You Know It's a Myth," the sign reads. "This season, celebrate reason."
"We decided to counterpunch after a donor came forward seeking to challenge the anti-Christmas statement by American Atheists," Donohue explained on the organization's website.
"Our approach is positive, and services the common good," Donhue continued. "Theirs is negative, and is designed to sow division. It's what they do."
Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, explained their sign on the group's website, stating that many people observe religious rituals that they do not believe in.
"They go along to get along, which simply leads to more prejudice and bigotry," he said in a statement. "Closeted atheists hurt themselves and others like them by remaining silent about what they know to be true."
As an atheist myself, I have to agree. Around this time I'm always ready to say "not this crap again." I think, honestly, who do these billboards help? All this does is needlessly attack a religion, piss people off, and make the authors look petty.
And they even got it wrong! Christmas isn't a myth, it's a real holiday celebrated every year. Now the origins of it, that's a different matter.
Thomas Paine wrote The Age of Reason in 1794. The Cult of Reason then banned the Catholic Mass in France.
I got to tell you that if ANY billboard put up by ANY human being of ANY religious or non-religious persuasion causes anyone to question their OWN faith, then THAT person ain’t got no faith at all.
Happy Chanukah!
I wonder if any billboard company would allow an ad during Ramadan which reads, “You Know Mohammed’s a Myth ...”
That's the name of a pamphlet. It's timing does not frame the 17th Century Age of Reason (a.k.a., Age of Rationalism).
Furthermore, you have a false cause and effect. Paine wrote The Age of Reason after the French Revolution, being worried about its decay into immorality. It was first published AFTER the Reign of Terror was underway. In fact, Paine himself was imprisoned and almost executed during the Reign of Terror, so it is not likely he would write anything supportive of it.
Bookmark.
No kidding. Imagine if the image were Dachau, circa 1944.
I propose a Catholic/atheist truce based on something both groups agree on.
Let them pool their resources to put up billboards saying that Genesis 1-11 is a myth. Problem solved!
And I'll say that if any FBI sting can drive a peaceful "moderate" muslim to boast of wanting to commit a terrorist act against hundreds of women and children in the name of Jihad on another religion's celebration, then that muslim ain't moderate at all.
I mean, just because we think you're irrational, it does not mean we think your opposition is sane.
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