What do you think of this?

[sister_in_faith]

U.S. News - Atheist display: Skeleton Santa nailed to a cross

I'm all for free speech, but this seems 'wrong'... I understand people of other/no faiths may feel left out when we decorate for christmas, but it isn't like we are trying to mock their faith when we decorate. This just seems mean spirited and in bad taste.

What do you guys think?

[annewandering]

I think its mean spirited and unkind. Its hard to understand the haters of the world. If they dont want it fine but that is no reason to mock others beliefs.

[RescueMom]

I agree it is in bad taste, but I will defend the guys right to do it, even though it mocks Christianity. Either that or we end up with an official Bureau of Religious Affairs, and I can promise that LDS won't be sanction by that Bureau. at. all.

[annewandering]

I agree it is in bad taste, but I will defend the guys right to do it, even though it mocks Christianity. Either that or we end up with an official Bureau of Religious Affairs, and I can promise that LDS won't be sanction by that Bureau. at. all.

Thats all true and I do agree. It is still mean spirited and pretty sad they feel they must do that.

[UrbanFool]

""The message to me at least," said Jonathan Weintraub, of the group NOVA Atheists, "is that the meaning of Christmas, which is about faith and family, is dead and has been replaced by commercialism.""

Why would an athiest care about Christmas anyway?

[RescueMom]

Thats all true and I do agree. It is still mean spirited and pretty sad they feel they must do that.

I agree, but sadly if a person doesn't have hope of anything better, then why should they care about anything here and now.

[annewandering]

""The message to me at least," said Jonathan Weintraub, of the group NOVA Atheists, "is that the meaning of Christmas, which is about faith and family, is dead and has been replaced by commercialism.""

Why would an athiest care about Christmas anyway?

What they care about are the photo opportunities. It is a chance for them to try to draw people away from Christ. Satan really isnt going to pass up such a lovely chance is he?

[UrbanFool]

I always wonder what it is about people who have to be as shocking as possible.

I'm not sure I'd consider this an opportunity to draw people away from Christ. There's just no logic behind it. And I guess therein lies the answer.

[annewandering]

I always wonder what it is about people who have to be as shocking as possible.

I'm not sure I'd consider this an opportunity to draw people away from Christ. There's just no logic behind it. And I guess therein lies the answer.

oh theres logic enough. How many people are fed up with the commercial Christmas? I know I am. If I werent strong in my testimony it might make me wonder what is good about christianity if it results in this mass marketing scheme.

Ironically, of course, satan had that all well planned to work in synch.

It might not affect you or me but it will affect others.

[UrbanFool]

This display just doesn't scream "commercialism" at me. It screams "I'm a nut."

[Vort]

I expect people to flock to the atheists' organization in droves because of their awesome crucified skeleton Santa display.

[annewandering]

I expect people to flock to the atheists' organization in droves because of their awesome crucified skeleton Santa display.

No doubt but doubt those were Christian to begin with!

[mordorbund]

Would you still object so strongly to this display if it were presented by some strong-minded Christians (instead of atheists). I see a number of facebook posts asking us to put Christ back in Christmas and deploring the "Happy holidays" greetings they receive from companies.

What's the offensive part of this display? Is it the use of a highly Christian symbol by non-Christians? Is it the god-fearing being taken to task by the godless? Would it be better if it depicted a rotund Santa stuffing his pockets with the cash of beggarly parents? Or Soylent Green'ing the arm and leg of a parent to present a sumptuous Christmas feast? Is it offensive because of the morbid aspect of it (if so, would it be better if it were the Easter Bunny on the cross in April)?

[UrbanFool]

I don't think anyone here was offended. And when I first looked at it, I thought KKK --not Jesus. If its pockets were stuffed with cash, it would be a valid protest of the commercialism of Christmas, but as it is... it's just nutty (IMO), no matter who put it up there.

[HEthePrimate]

I'd be delighted if they put that display up in my town. Because it's interesting, something... different.

Though I'm not a fan of the commercialism, I like Christmas. But I support freedom of speech. They went through proper channels--it was one of nine approved displays on the courthouse lawn--and it was wrong for some vigilante to tear it down.

[Backroads]

I can't wrap my mind around it.

From what I get from the article, the people did not intend to be mean--I'll take them at their word the intention of the display.

But really? It IS in poor taste and I can't fathom why no one anticipated this could be taken the wrong way. How did this get approved?

[beefche]

I can't wrap my mind around it.

From what I get from the article, the people did not intend to be mean--I'll take them at their word the intention of the display.

But really? It IS in poor taste and I can't fathom why no one anticipated this could be taken the wrong way. How did this get approved?

What way did you take it?

[Backroads]

What way did you take it?

That's what I'm still trying to decide... I read a lot of the replies before I read the article/saw the photo, so that has me thinking.

However, I do think that if I were walking merrily down the street and saw that, the cross would have a huge impression on me.

Yeah, I believe my initial reaction would have been offense.

Is there no better way to get the point across? I can see how this would leave confusion as to its meaning.

[Bini]

It doesn't rub me the wrong way. If I drove by that display, I might give it a second glance but it wouldn't ruin my day at all. And I highly doubt I'd still be thinking about it throughout the rest of my commute.

[prisonchaplain]

I agree it is in bad taste, but I will defend the guys right to do it, even though it mocks Christianity. Either that or we end up with an official Bureau of Religious Affairs, and I can promise that LDS won't be sanction by that Bureau. at. all.

Most atheists are educated. Why they need to squander free speech rights by either squelching Christmas traditions, or by mocking Christianity is beyond me. I'm just jaundiced enough to think that the attempt here is not religious dialogue, but tweaking the majority culture's dominant faith.

[Blackmarch]

I'm all for the nightmare before christmas thing... but seriously that was less then half an effort.

...Or we could use our free speech rights and stick up posters with <insert culture you are dissatisfied with> under a red circle with a cross through it. Pretty sure that would help unify the community and get people to hold hands and sing Kum-bi-yah.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Blackmarch