You think it's a dick move. Others would disagree, and might even think "it's about time." Christians slap atheists in the face all the time. A perfect example is that on a daily basis you can read insults about non-believers on thousands of church boards throughout the nation. That's a pretty dick move, too. However, non-believers aren't lining up to whine about it because most of them support freedom of religion, and the freedom of religious folks to believe what they wish.
The problem is that the people who wanted to see the manger are likely not the christians doing that, so it's really just a different belief targeting innocent people who have likewise done nothing to them. For instance, none of the Catholic churches in my area post anything about belief and hell, you have to enter the premises to hear anything. Most of the churches I've found that do that kind of thing are non-denominational or smaller independents and they usually don't put up mangers anyway. Besides, Athiests have their own snide little insults and I've heard them plenty. Nothing like a pseudo-intellectual jackass telling me I'm stupid for believing in a "fairy tale" with nothing more than theory to back it up. Not all athiests are dicks, don't know how many times I can state that here, but the ones who choose to be trolls make the rest look bad since they happen to be the loud boorish types. I've been the first one to speak out about the faithful shoving it in other's faces.
I took it to mean you are against public display. I've seen that from people like Michael Newdow(sp?) who seek to disbar people from the exercise of religion, which is why I say you are free to believe as you will, but are not allowed to strip other's of their right to expression.
Again I must remind you, Christmas is not their holiday. *sigh*
Hate to break it to you but Christmas is a Christian holiday, Christ/Christian/Christmas. No one is saying you have to attend church or pray on your time off while you enjoy the holiday, but there is a basis for it. Saying Christmas isn't our holiday is like saying Chanukah is for everyone while it is certainly a Jewish holiday. Likewise it would be like me being upset that the muslim population claims Ramadan. Again, if you want to celebrate with us you are more than welcome, but it is ours.
Ill-timed? It's a holiday display.
"Your belief is a fairy tale" During Christmas? You don't think there may be a slight timing problem? It's not as classless as trashing the dead at their funeral, but it's definitely on the list.
What they did was express their lack of belief in what they consider to be mythology.
So if I put up a sign that said "you guys are really reaching on the whole theory thing" directed at Athiests you wouldn't have a problem with it? Or better yet how about "good luck on the whole God Particle thing"?
They probably think it's rude and condescending to be told throughout the year that they are godless heathens who will burn in hell. At least atheists can't be hauled before congressional committees and blacklisted anymore.
Well, you don't get a lot of sympathy by pissing off people who haven't personally done anything to you. If anything it further sets the acceptance issue back.
But they can, however, be fired, shunned, and insulted on a daily basis. Forgive my lack of empathy as you castigate "sub-human garbage" who don't believe the same things you believe, and have the audacity to legally say so.
I do hope the specific people who did this suffer in life greatly. It isn't about what they think, it's about what they did.
No, I'm explaining it and condoning their legal right to express their lack of belief just as I condon the religious community's right to do the same.
Okay, so maybe I'll condone the next time an Athiest is told they are going to hell, it is after all within the rights of the religious since we are dismissing rude behavior.
My response would be that those who call others "sub-human garbage" need a few lessons in manners themselves.
Fine, but I'll say this, manners are a two way street, and typically when someone calls your beliefs stupid for no other reason than to act superior they get what they give. Again, the people who did this weren't slighted by anyone they targeted. So may they(specifically) rot in hell.
