Do you think the Fundies would object if I put my atheism display up at the public school?

Question

I like to celebrate the upcoming solstice and I have a pagan ritual to go along with it.

That should be okay shouldn't it? I don't think the Fundies would mind since they always put their stuff up at public venues...

To It'sjust; It's my atheistic version of "old" paganism. I celebrate the solstice, but worship no gods.

Adelaide; that's another topic. I suggest you pose a question re that topic. You can still answer my question btw...

So Mahal; You're OK with me setting it up at the public school, library, town office, etc?

To elmjunburk; You called them "religious" rituals, not me. Atheists can and do have rituals. They're just not religious.

Answer 1

well, as far as ancient paganism goes, most thinking men, like Epicurus and the Epicureans, as well as Plato and Aristotle, believed that the gods were made of atoms, thus were part of the material universe. This makes them de facto atheists, but the religious spin was done mainly to avoid arousing the wrath of the gods-fearing public. Socrates never expressed belief in the Gods, and this was one of the reason the Athenian democracy found him guilty of corrupting the youth, as he was spreading his brand of godless atheism (So they killed him, naturally).

If I were you, I would spin it as a historical display. Remember, almost all of our Christmas traditions have more in common with ancient sun-god worship than Christianity. Heck, some say that Santa Claus himself is based more wholly on Odin, the German high God, instead of the Christian St. Nickolaus. Christmas trees, mistletoe, hanging stockings, all of these are more rooted in non Christian religions.

That way, you can protect your behind against Christians who cry foul, noting that you are doing this in complete archeological objectivity. Even the most casual research shows that it is implausible that Jesus was born on December 25, and that Christmas was a retcon of an older pagan holiday designed to attract more faithful to the Christian flock.

Answer 2

Actually, if you are a pagan, you worship the old pagan gods, so you are not an atheist. Atheists don't believe in ANY higher powers and pagans do. Atheists have no religious rituals, while pagans do.

And I doubt most people would really care. My view of religion is simple - worship or don't - that's your decision. I am not offended by anyone's religious choices.

Edit -Ok, Dizz, that's your choice, and it should not offend anyone. Feel free to worship, celebrate, or not, as you choose.

Answer 3

I think it is a good idea.

When the muslim holiday of Ramadan comes around next year, the school kids should symbollically fast for the entire 2 weeks in order to show respect for that religion. It would save millions in taxpayer dollars in not having to fund school kitchens for the 2 week holiday as well.

However, I think for my atheist beliefs, there should be a national holiday of Videogamealot, where everybody should spend their day worshipping their PC, X box, Playstation, or Wii.

Answer 4

Many public faculties are coaching "recognition" of the gay way of existence. it somewhat is exciting by using fact in some states the sodomy rules are nonetheless on the books. So, what the general public faculties in those states are doing is coaching scholars to settle for the breaking of the regulation via people who work together in gay habit. it somewhat is debated even if if or no longer some human beings are born sexually involved in contributors of their very own intercourse. even if if it somewhat is actual it would not substitute the undeniable fact that performing on a prefer to work together in gay habit is usually a call. some human beings are "taught" gay habit and this could play a functionality in a guy or woman's "needs" later in existence... yet, if certainty learn, to work together in gay habit remains a call.

Answer 5

Heh. Awesome question. Christians take incredibly for granted the privilege that they have in this country - then pretend like they don't know they're privileged and lamely attempt to deny they're privileged.

To those who say "Your friends don't have to get you presents, then.": Boo hoo. I, as a humanist/atheist, am not so materialistic that this "not getting presents" would bother me. I give gifts to my friends and family year round because I think about them and care about them year-round, not just at Christmastime, when the ignorant masses are in a consumerist rush to give greedy corporations as much of their hard-earned money as possible.

And to those who say banks and other "private" venues don't display huge nativity scenes: I'm in a mid-sized Midwestern town. Our city hospital currently displays a *huge*, life-sized nativity scene, and a local USBank displays a slightly smaller one. When I see these spectacles that obviously normalize and glorify the Christian faith - even when displayed at a place supposedly "private" but actually public in many ways, like a hospital - I just can't help but laugh at all the religious complainers.

Answer 6

I'm one hundred percent non-believer . I have no rituals of any kind . You're the first one I ever heard call himself an Atheist , then admit he's involved in religious rituals . One or the other, fellow , but not both .

Answer 7

If atheists have a specific day of celebration, go for it. It shouldn't be fabricated as an anti-message to another holiday that millions of people celebrate.

Just let it go! Don't enjoy the season or participate if you don't want to.

These tit-for-tat arguments are so childish!

Answer 8

Christians don't care what you celebrate. We have never complained about the displays of others, as far as I know, and we've never taken anyone to court as the ACLU has. We actually believe in freedom of expression.

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Don't you see what's happening? Liberals are so controlling that they expect everyone else to be like them.

Our religion teaches us freedom and tolerance. Controlling the beliefs and actions of others is not what conservatives or religionists do. It is almost exclusively a liberal value.

Answer 9

Since almost all Christmas traditions are based off pagan traditions, they probably would not notice.

Answer 10

ha... i got a little peeved the other day.. I was driving down main street and a bank had a GIANT menorah on their front lawn. I am not against any holiday decorations, but find it hard to believe that if that bank had a giant baby jesus on their front lawn that it wouldn't have everybody on their @ss