Atheists Display Anti-Christmas Billboard in Times Square

'Keep the merry, dump the myth'

It's the most wonderful time of the year – and that means it's also time for American Atheists to unveil their annual anti-Christian billboard in downtown NYC.

"Keep the merry, dump the myth!" proclaims the gazillion-foot-high billboard, featuring a jolly Santa over an image of Christ on the cross.

A similar billboard last year, which referred to both Santa and Jesus as "myths," was blasted by a Christian pastor for being "dense and simple-minded."

"Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name...around 2,000 years ago," said the pastor, voicing a criticism that could equally well apply to this year's billboard.

Via the Blaze and the Huffington Post.

Is the billboard offensive?

[jamie91]

I frankly don't get it. So don't believe. Let others believe as they will. I despise pushing beliefs, or lack of, on anyone. Just as distasteful as religious advertising, but not offensive.

[Nat]

So, are you also against religious billboards?

[Tralee]

I agree, why spoil the party you are not attending for those attending it? Atheists are just mean spirited party poopers with money to spend on offensive advertising.

[Tralee]

@Nat Religious billboard promoting a religion are fine, as in Visit St. Michael's Church for a blessed time. Now, if an Atheist group wants to do something like that, do Atheists meet for some sort of meetings?, they can. Sort of Visit Atheist.com for information on the Atheism movement. No problem, but signs denigrating anyone, and religious people are, well, people so this sign is put up with the sole purpose of denigrating their belief. Are YOU okay with that? How about a sign that says practice peace reject the myth of Mohammad or Jesus Died and the myth of Moses lives on? Find them offensive? I do, no difference in them and what this sign says.

[jamie91]

@Nat yes, I am against religious billboards too. I'm atheist. I just don't want to preach any more than I want to be preached to. Mutual respect for other beliefs.

[MBernard]

I don't know why ppl think I'd you don't believe in Christmas, automatically, you're an atheist. The true theists who know the truth reject Christmas also. Only Catholic Church goers believe in that nonesense.

[Antizealot]

Merry Christmyth!

[thejimbo]

Clever, clever.

[UnCommonBoston]

Love it! Christmas has strayed from a religious event to a commercial event. Easter is the most important Christian holiday, not Christmas. The faith part is missing from Christmas. I go to church to celebrate.

[Neo_NtheMatrix]

So this is okay, huh? Somebody please explain.

[Antizealot]

Explain how it's not ok.

[MBernard]

Yeah, me too, I'd like to know why it's not???

[drpeeper]

American atheists are going to take out a billboard in Times Square then they are fair game!!! I don't believe in God, but I have no right telling someone else that they shouldn't either. Whack jobs!

[Antizealot]

@drpeeper Atheists have been fair game since the beginning of time. It's just recently that we can't be burned at the stake. Why should religion get a special pass from ridicule? People certainly have no problem mocking others for their political beliefs and those are actually grounded in some sort of reality.

[Tralee]

@Antizealot @MBernard, it's not okay because it is put there simply to denigrate a religious belief. If they want to put up a billboard advocating Atheism, fine, list all the pros of being an Atheist, but this sign was simply put up to rain on a party they were not going to attend in any case. Sort of mean spirited and childish. "I'm not going to Stinky Ann's party, no one else should go either because I don't believe in Stinky Ann and her celebration" would be about the same.

[DerivePI]

It's not offensive, but a worthwhile argument to have. Too many people stumble around without searching for basic answers regarding their core beliefs. If this sign toggles some discussions in that direction, then its a good thing.

My response sign would be "put a space between A and Theist. Come learn what Christmas is really about."

[CanisCanemEdit]

Of course we never see the "American Atheists" bashing Jews, Muslims, Hindis, Buddhists, Pagans, Wiccans, etc...just Christians.

Perhaps there is room in all that for the ACLU to file a suit of "prejudice assault against people of a certain religious order"...naming the American Atheists and Atheist.org as defendant.

[Antizealot]

@CanisCanemEdit You were saying?
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03...

[DerivePI]

@Antizealot - Well you still don't have the Hindis, Buddhists, Pagans, Wiccans, (smile).

[Antizealot]

@DerivePI That's because the Hindis, Buddhists, Pagans and Wiccans aren't trying to enforce their beliefs onto others. You don't shoot the dog playing in the grass minding his own business, you shoot the one trying to rip your throat out.

[DerivePI]

@Antizealot - I was having fun with you, but your response is wrong. Do you really believe those other religions are just minding their own business? Is that belief based on experience?

[drpeeper]

Yet, someone's page got pulled from Facebook for bringing this topic up. Those little liberal techie fascists sure hate debate.

[sevenSecrets]

Computer programmers are liberal facists now. Facepalm

[UnCommonBoston]

Some people use freedom of speech as an excuse for being insulting. It is not about being politically incorrect either. This, and the subway ads, are posted to upset people. I am a Christian, this doesn't bother me at all. But this will upset people and many will find it insulting. Nudity on billboards, like in Europe doesn't bother me either. But since people think it is inappropriate in in this country, it is not permitted.

Respecting other's values is not weak, but a sign of strength. If your belief is rock solid, than opposing views don't matter. You don't like Catholic Church, fine. It has no effect on my beliefs. However, I do not appreciate being belittled and taunted for my choice of church. Slander is upsetting. Seriously, most religous or not religous groups have been persecuted, check your history.

Holiday greens and lights are not religous, but traditional. Santa does not belong in our public buildings. If people want to express their beliefs with a license plate - fine. The bumper stickers on many cars are far more insulting. There is a system in place to propose new plate designs and then to have them made. I have a whale on plate, because I support preserving the Massachusett Bay.

I wonder about people who feel the need to put others down so strongly. It is a trait of bullies, not rational people.

I will admit I laughed at the NYC subway ad that said, "Rick Perry the voice in your head is not God", but I am not sure it is appropriate. The NYC subway is public transportation, not a politcal forum

[MBernard]

Nah, I don't believe in Santa. Jesus, on the other hand, he's a historical figure, and what I mean is history has it that He lived.

[Antizealot]

There is as much if not more historical evidence for Santa Claus as there is for Jesus.

[MBernard]

@Antizealot historical? For Santa Claus? Nah, Santa Claus is a myth. Secular Christmas and the like. Just bc that it seems to have rooted from st Nicholas as book suggested changes nothing to me. It still IS a myth choreographed and spread by mainstream Christianity forsaking the truth.

[Antizealot]

@MBernard Yes, historical. Santa Claus is derived from a real person. There is no doubt about that.

[Fishbone345]

Do you have proof of that? Outside Biblical reference please.

[MBernard]

@Fishbone345 yes I do. There are records outside of the biblical world

[classychazy]

Its not offensive to me, because I am not a Christian yet it I do find it disturbing that you have to put up a huge billboard to ridicule others beliefs. I wonder what would happen if put up a billboard with a pentacle and proclaim my love to my many Gods and mother earth? Telling everyone they will never be reborn if they don't come over to my way of thinking. I find the whole thing quite stupid! We all have different beliefs, but it seems Christianity is the one everyone points at to make fun of or try to debunk. You can't debunk faith!

[Real4WheelDrv]

Exactly, I'm a fence sitter, I want to believe there's a God and an afterlife...I realize you can believe in one and not the other...people who believe in ghosts know that...but I want proof. And proof in religion is based on faith, something that can't be measured or quantified, and something I lost many years ago.

[hwyangel]

I don't find it offensive either. I like that this billboard opens the subject of faith for discussion. I can't be accused of forcing on anyone if I wasn't even the one to bring it up, lol.

[Blessed]

Oops! Someone made a mistake and put those pictures in the wrong place. Christ is the merry and Santa the myth. CHRISTmas is His birthday and I don't need a billboard to remind me.

[jamie91]

Actually one thing Christian scholars do agree on is that Jesus was not born on December 25th. I just love how so called Christians need to be informed of this.

[Romans120]

@jamie91 Exactly! The point is that many Christian laypeople don't have in-depth knowledge of history and many just assume that what they have been told is true.

[Fishbone345]

Christmas is a stolen holiday. Your historical (fact) knowledge needs work.

[AceLuby]

Jesus was born in July...

[AceLuby]

@AceLuby And to add... Christmas was changed to December to compete w/ a Pagan holiday around the same time.

[Russell797]

If it's OK to place religious symbols on public property then why any controversy over this? All religious viewpoints can be displayed and made visible to the public domain without question we are told. If this offends you then to bad, we are told. I would rather no religious symbols be allowed so as not to offend people's deeply held convictions, but that's just me. Religion should be a personal relationship with your deity, not something to force on others.

[Keyjo]

I voted it's offensive and unnecessary. I am not personally offended, but I reaalize it is to many. And I see no necessity to offend Christians. This seems to go out of the way to do just that. Since Atheists generally consider themselves more enlightened, they should see the wisdom in letting sleeping giants lie.

[thejimbo]

Well said.

[stepped_in_it]

To all those who cried "freedom of speech"....there you go! Now, I'm atheist. That's MY belief. You may not be. That's your belief. I promise NOT to waste money on billboards like this if you promise the same! Deal?(I know that won't happen...not in my life time)

[Thunderchicken]

When you've found the spiritual answers for yourself that’s great. But when you think you've found the answers for everyone else, that's a problem.

[Libertyiskey]

Freedom of speech goes both ways. Is it offensive? Yes to some but Athiest could find the "Keep Christ in Christmas" signs offensive to them cause it is not what they believe. The term "bleeding heart liberal" comes to mind and it is normally used by Republicans who think "liberals complain or care to much" and it reminds me of how some Republicans react to this sign crying and moaning. Ignore it and the Athiest won't get the satisfaction of riling people up if it bothers you. Practice you're religion and let them practice they're non-religion which includes letting them try to convince people of their way.

[jpaige1990]

Just like Christians try to convince people of their way.

[Chrysalis]

@jpaige1990 They have to try, except they "try" with the intention of supposedly saving people's souls. I think it's quite absurd to be nasty to someone, anyone, who is friendly with whatever message they carry.

[ctc]

It's America, it's free speech, the billboard is bought and paid for....get over it.
I'd be interested to see a poll on who most people actually pray to or ask of this time of year......the man with the white beard, the man with the dark beard, their fellow man, or an unseen faceless omniscient creator??

[Clbraz78]

As an atheist I don't see the need to put up a display like this. Christians do it too so I can see why they would want to rebuttal. But I just keep it toy self unless someone wants to discuss it and show respect for others beliefs even though I find it rediculous.

[AirwayTitans]

I am offended that they are offended... Enough of this stupid PC sh*t. These people are completely ridiculous. Nobody is forcing anything down their throats, it is absurd and they are behaving like spoiled children. This is what is wrong with this country now... I can respect that they don't believe in God, that is their prerogative. They in turn should respect my decision to believe in what I want.

[David944]

Atheists can only seem to advance their own beliefs by tearing down other peoples beliefs. I would like to see them offend the Muslims in this way. We would probably have fewer atheists around in no time.

[Libertyiskey]

Atheists don't have to do that when the Christian/Republicans are already working on it pretty consistently.

[Libertyiskey]

http://cheapsignals.blogspot.com/2012/03/if-i...
There's a billboard offensive to Muslims.

[David944]

@Libertyiskey What you say is ridiculous. If so why is that the only method they employ? Show me some examples of atheism trying to stand on its own merits without condemning another belief system.

[Antizealot]

@David944
Please explain how to do that that without a comparative analysis.

[David944]

@Libertyiskey Softball, let’s see something offensive like depiction of Mohamed. There is not even a mention of what the myth is. The article even says the billboard is directed to possible atheist in the community.

[Sharpshooter]

It's NOT offensive because they want it to be offensive. This is a clear indication that American Atheists has become a RELIGION and should be treated as such.

[Antizealot]

Great, when can I file for tax exemption?

[Sharpshooter]

@Antizealot American Atheists is already a 501c3 not for profit, soliciting and collecting donations; just like the Catholic Church

[Antizealot]

@Sharpshooter So how are they not already treated as a religion? That was your point, right?

[Dan_Tien]

@Sharpshooter There is a big difference between a non-profit organization and a religion.

[Antizealot]

@Dan_Tien I'm waiting on him to explain how he wants them treated the same after he then says that they are treated just like the Catholic Church. The resulting head explosion from cognitive dissonance should be impressive.

[RobertJHarsh]

Atheist Republican here. I agree with that billboard.

[hwyangel]

I like that billboard even though I don't agree. So now since the subject has been broached.....
Everyone knows deep down that they deserve something. And so many people go through life never knowing what that something is. It's a something that says that you are deserving, you are valuable, and you do have a purpose regardless of you station in life. Even if we may not be equal in a dissolutioned world we are still equal in Gods image.

[Thegrif]

Who the hell cares what Atheists do? They don't believe in anything anyway, which does make one wonder, it seems illigical to waste money on a billboard to speak out against something you don't even believe exist in the first place. It's like me wasting money on a sign to tell people the world is really flat.
I mean who does that? If You don't believe in it, then why do you care, or why would you be offended by it?
If everyone believed Romald McDonald was our savior I would first laugh about it, then I would think their crazy, but in the end I wouldn't care.
Personally, I think deep down inside, in places they don't talk about in their social circles, they know the truth and it is eating them alive.
The Bible says that God, having tried to reach the people, yet watching them give theirselves over to debased minds. That God will give them evidence that they should believe the lies of the world.
(Paraphrased)

[Antizealot]

Christians put up billboards like that all the time, mocking evolution and science, so by your logic, deep down inside they know it's the truth and it's eating them alive.

[Thegrif]

@Antizealot no, Christians believe in something and we know some things evolved, just that humans did not evolve from a fish, then a monkey then human for example. There is no ancestral cell to human, if there was, then the missing link has been discovered and scientist would not now be abandoning the notion of we evolved from something else, which is starting to happen, slightly. We are defending that, or are witnessing. Atheists believe in nothing. Real Atheists don't believe in God, or a satan, or anything
So you don't think it is funny that if I did not believe in the Easter Bunny that I would spend money to put up a sign to say, "hey yall, there is no Easter Bunny"?
Seems really funny to me that anyone would bother to comment on what they supposedly know is not.
And that was my point.

[Antizealot]

@Thegrif You do know that there really is no "missing link" right? "Missing link" is a nomenclature used by people who don't understand evolution. Scientists are NOT abandoning common descent through evolution. That's ridiculous.
Furthermore, atheists don't believe in "nothing". We just don't accept your "something". Do you believe in "nothing" because you don't believe in Zeus. Think about what you're saying.

[woodtick57]

@Thegrif There are, in fact, many 'missing links' in the fossil record. A clear progression from more ape-like creatures to more human like creatures and then several different species of hominids.

Science is fun!

[Thegrif]

@Thegrif Also funny that people who dont believe is Santa or Jesus Christ are the ones who put up the larger than life images of both of them, and put them together to boot.
Thanks for that by the way. Only about 20% of the people will actually read the sign, around 80% will just see the images.
So if Atheist put up a image of Jesus in a public place, there is no problem? If a Christian group did it, it would be all over the TV and radio in protest.
Maybe we should get some Atheists on the payroll then.