You better watch out. There is a new combatant in the Christmas wars.
Ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist Association unveiled the provocative $40,000 holiday ad campaign Tuesday.
In lifting lyrics from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," the Washington-based group is wading into what has become a perennial debate over commercialism, religion in the public square and the meaning of Christmas.
"We are trying to reach our audience, and sometimes in order to reach an audience, everybody has to hear you," said Fred Edwords, spokesman for the humanist group. "Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there are an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion."
To that end, the ads and posters will include a link to a Web site that will seek to connect and organize like-minded thinkers in the D.C. area, Edwords said.
Edwords said the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."
The group defines humanism as "a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity."
Last month, the British Humanist Association caused a ruckus announcing a similar campaign on London buses with the message: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
In Washington, the humanists' campaign comes as conservative Christian groups gear up their efforts to keep Christ in Christmas. In the past five years, groups such as the American Family Association and the Catholic League have criticized or threatened boycotts of retailers who use generic "holiday" greetings.
In mid-October, the American Family Association started selling buttons that say "It's OK to say Merry Christmas." The humanists' entry into the marketplace of ideas did not impress AFA president Tim Wildmon.
"It's a stupid ad," he said. "How do we define 'good' if we don't believe in God? God in his word, the Bible, tells us what's good and bad and right and wrong. If we are each ourselves defining what's good, it's going to be a crazy world."
Also on Tuesday, the Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian legal group, launched its sixth annual "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign." Liberty Counsel has intervened in disputes over nativity scenes and government bans on Christmas decorations, among other things.
"It's the ultimate grinch to say there is no God at a time when millions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Christ," said Mathew Staver, the group's chairman and dean of the Liberty University School of Law. "Certainly, they have the right to believe what they want but this is insulting."
Best-selling books by authors such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have fueled interest in "the new atheism" — a more in-your-face argument against God's existence.
Yet few Americans describe themselves as atheist or agnostic; a Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life poll from earlier this year found 92 percent of Americans believe in God.
There was no debate at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority over whether to take the ad. Spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said the agency accepts ads that aren't obscene or pornographic.
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God Exists - November 20, 2008
T.H. (and anyone else) I'm gonna pray for you. You obviously have an interest in the Lord God. Whether you choose to admit it or not, you are searching. If you really want to know if God exists, talk to him and ask him....that's all it takes.
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Thanks for your patience - November 20, 2008
Who's trumpeting? If people feel more comfortable with an imaginary friend, that's cool. Seriously. But do you question the open mindedness of everyone who doesn't agree with you? If anyone has facts supporting the existence of a supreme being, I'm open. But Nostradamus-like interpretations of Bible passages don't really qualify as facts.
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T. H. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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*Sigh* - November 20, 2008
OK, last post for me. My spider sense always goes off when a person trumpets how open minded they are... There's nothing in anything that I posted that relates to what I feel about your beliefs there, bubba. As a matter of fact I've bent over backward a few times to tell you I don't care...and I don't. And I don't recall (I just re-read all my posts) seeing anything that belittles your beliefs, or non-beliefs. Knock yourself out. As for me, I'll continue to try to live a balanced life that acknowedges both science and faith. If it was good enough for Albert Einstein, it's good enough for me. Good luck in your quest for The Facts for every element of your life.
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John Myers - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Turnabout - November 20, 2008
John, I don't believe in a God, so why would you belittle MY beliefs? It goes both ways. And I am very open minded. However, I need facts to persuade me one way or the other. And a belief in a god depends 100% on faith. Facts do not enter into your position at all.
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My True Intent - November 19, 2008
My intent was not to pass those examples off as my own. My intent was to give the reader of this article and comments an accurate view of what the bible talks about way before science discovered it. If you took from it that those are my words than I apologize for not making it clear.
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Kenneth Swanson - Lothian, MD - Karma: Bad
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Never Said It Was My Word - November 19, 2008
I was just throwing in FACTS that are in the bible to prove that it is more than a "story book". I own the book from which it comes from. I believe most facts we get are from books are they not? Besides those facts are not underminded just because they are from a book and not my words. Just like quoting the bible is not my words either yet it does not make what it says any less true.
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Kenneth Swanson - Lothian, MD - Karma: Bad
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Wow, very intriguing but. - November 19, 2008
Kenneth, I found your explanation of the scripture very enlightning and well written. Which raised my suspicion that it was not your own. A quick google search of you text reveals that what you have posted here is taken verbatum from the book 'Scientific Facts in the Bible'. Great information, just a shame that you try to pass it as original.
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Circling back - November 19, 2008
Certainly no one is going to change your mind, T.H., just as you will change no minds here. The point I just don't get in the story is that if the goal of the ad was to encourage people to 'be good', why belittle those who believe in God to do so? It certainly casts doubt in my mind on their/your openmindedness. Like I've said before.... if they/you/whoever don't choose to believe, knock them/your/whoever' self out. What extra do you get from belittling others' beliefs?
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John Myers - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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More - November 18, 2008
The Bible and the Water Cycle The Scriptures inform us, "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again" (Ecclesiastes 1:7). This statement alone may not seem profound. But, when considered with other biblical passages, it becomes all the more remarkable. For example, the Mississippi River dumps approximately 518 billion gallons of water every 24 hours into the Gulf of Mexico. Where does all that water go? And that's just one of thousands of rivers. The answer lies in the hydrologic cycle, so well brought out in the Bible. Ecclesiastes 11:3 states that "if the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth." Look at the Bible's concise words in Amos 9:6: "He . . . calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth." The idea of a complete water cycle was not fully understood by science until the seventeenth century. However, more than two thousand years prior to the discoveries of Pierre Perrault, Edme Mariotte, Edmund Halley, and others, the Scriptures clearly spoke of a water cycle. The Bible and the Science of Oceanography Matthew Maury (1806-1873) is considered the father of oceanography. He noticed the expression "paths of the sea" in Psalm 8:8 (written 2,800 years ago) and said, "If God said there are paths in the sea, I am going to find them." Maury then took God at His word and went looking for these paths, and we are indebted to his discovery of the warm and cold continental currents. His book on oceanography remains a basic text on the subject and is still used in universities.
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Kenneth Swanson - Lothian, MD - Karma: Bad
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Story Book? - November 18, 2008
The bible is not a story book. There are tons of things in there that was talked about way before people discovered it. Here are just a few: At a time when it was believed that the earth sat on a large animal or a giant (1500 B.C.), the Bible spoke of the earth's free float in space: "He . . . hangs the earth upon nothing" (Job 26:7). Science didn't discover that the earth hangs upon nothing until 1650. The Scriptures tell us that the earth is round: "It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22). The word translated "circle" here is the Hebrew word chuwg, which is also translated "circuit" or "compass" (depending on the context). That is, it indicates something spherical, rounded, or arched -- not something that is flat or square. The book of Isaiah was written sometime between 740 and 680 B.C. This is at least 300 years before Aristotle suggested, in his book On the Heavens, that the earth might be a sphere. It was another 2,000 years later (at a time when science believed that the earth was flat) that the Scriptures inspired Christopher Columbus to sail around the world.
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Kenneth Swanson - Lothian, MD - Karma: Bad
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Thanks, but... - November 18, 2008
Thank you for the thought, but how do you know that the words are inspired by God? Again, it's a circular argument: the Bible is true because it is inspired by God, and we know that it is inspired by God because the Bible says so. The Bible is interesting in and of itself, but it essentially just a storybook. If you can wade through it and find a moral code, that's great. It's just not for everyone.
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T. H. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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God Spoke These Things - November 18, 2008
The Bible is the Word of God. That is to say, as a result of God's direct inspiration the words of Scripture, though put to pen by people, are in fact the words of God Himself. Another important thing to take into account is that if I am wrong like you think I am then I lose absolutely nothing when I die...However, if I am right when you die you will spend eternal life in Hell, separated from God. As a sinner myself saved by God?s Grace, I do not want to see anyone go to Hell. That is why I felt the need to share the true Gospel in this comment section. God is absolutely real and ready to forgive you for your sins as long as you repent and put your trust in Him.
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K. Swanson - Lothian, MD - Karma: Bad
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Silly Superstitions - November 18, 2008
God said none of that. A bunch of guys writing stories said that. Who's to say that the Bible is inspired by God? That seems pretty self-serving. David Koresh also claimed to be speaking for God. Having faith in a higher power, whether a volcano spirit or an invisible man in the clouds, is prevalent in every human culture. I would think that human reason might have moved us beyond these superstitions at this point.
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T. H. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Are You A Good Person???? - November 18, 2008
Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever taken God's name in vain? Have you ever murdered in your heart by hating another person or by being angry without cause? Then, according to God's perfect and holy standard, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart. The Bible says, "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31)-the God who spoke the Universe into existence. If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8). But there is good news! God has provided a way for you to be rescued. God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later He forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. To receive the free gift of eternal life, Jesus said you must be born again (John 3:3, 7). If God causes you to be born again, you will recognize that you cannot save yourself. You will repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life. Your life is but a vapor. You have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Will you even awake in the morning? Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ while you still have time. Read the Bible every day and obey what it says. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is a gift of God, NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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Tis the season... - November 18, 2008
Call it whatever and worship King Kong for all I care, just give me the gifts.
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Don Williams - Davidsonville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Jesus, reason 4 season - November 18, 2008
I don't care what any one says...My family celebrates the Birth of Jesus Christ.
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Debbie F. - Arnold, MD - Karma: Bad
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yeah, ok Toilet Paper - November 15, 2008
TP, obviously you have missed the point of my comment. The campaign here would be the same as putting out one detailing a disbelief that the Jewish belief of the covenant between God and Abraham never existed, and in fact, neither existed in their own right. How long do you think that add would be allowed to run? Its apparent that this add was intended to be antagonistic towards Christianity in general which is why most of them get a free pass.
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the bigger point- Be Good - November 15, 2008
What's wrong with just being good for goodness sake. I'm good, I don't have to live in constant fear of a lightening strike or some fire pit at the end of my life... why? because I live by the golden rule. I've seen WAY too many self professed Christians live in an entirely different way... believing that their faith and their attendance (cash) on Sunday can absolve them of everything. Nobody "knows" whats in store for us after we die... we all just have our beliefs/faith. I don't believe there is a god but I still manage to live a good and honest life. And I celebrate Christmas just like the majority of America does, god free. (regardless of their stated religious beliefs) So come on... Be good... and start buying stuff!
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Bruce K. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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Then why differentiate? - November 14, 2008
On your statements about the end goals of humanism and theism I think there's broad agreement, m.jones. If that's your emphasis, fine. The article indicates a campaign whose message is that somehow believing in God stands in the way of those goals. That is the issue. If you don't believe in God, fine. But whaddya care of those who do? That's the question.
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John Myers - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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just be good - November 14, 2008
I don't see a problem with this. It's not just Christmas, its Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and other celebrations too. Best thing to remember is to be kind, be good to one another, and be friendly. Don't yell at the cashier who made a mistake or the person in the car in front of you who made an error driving. Believe in what you want, say what you want but the most important thing to remember is to be good to one another. We are all on this planet together. Happy Holidays no matter who or what you believe in. Peace to everyone.
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uh huh... - November 14, 2008
"Yeah, by that statement alone, you obviously have not watched a single news channel for the past couple of years." -- Riiggghhhttt, poor put upon believers are sooooo picked on and outnumbered by the big bad atheists. LOL, give me a break!
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Denying rights - November 13, 2008
You've got a broad standard for having your 'rights violated', Regan. How, specifically, are those rights being violated?
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John M. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Time for a Joke .... - November 13, 2008
Q: What is the definition of a dead Atheist? A: Someone who is all dressed up with nowhere to go.
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who are you kidding Regan - November 13, 2008
-Why is it ok to insult those who do not believe in God but it's not ok to insult those who believe?- Yeah, by that statement alone, you obviously have not watched a single news channel for the past couple of years. Its pretty obvious to a reasonably cognizant individual that its the other way around. Hence why it is 'happy holidays' instead of 'merry Christmas' and such. If you really wish to make a statement, during the Christmas holiday when most employees celebrate their 'Christian belief' and take off the federal/state holiday, do not accept the holiday leave and continue to work. You should petition your management for an alternative day for you to accept a day off.
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Good point - November 13, 2008
Reagan, your point is well taken. May God bless you and may you have a very Merry Christmas!
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Robin S. - Churchton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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True beginnings - November 12, 2008
And winter festivals and rites never occured before the formation of the Christian churches? You must remember that lots of these "holidays" began as celebration of the natural world around us before "the one true GOD" was ever involved. And because of the power and influence of the church have been long over shadowed. I don't deny your right to celebrate your religion. Don't deny me my right to celebrate mine or someone else's right NOT to celebrate it. Christmas had long evolved away from strictly a "religious" holiday. And I don't see a fundamental difference between "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" other than the later being more inclusive to those who may have a different faith than your own. It's true that majority rules. It just shouldn't be snarky to those who happen to have a different view.
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Regan Lovelace - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Bad
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CHRISTmas - November 12, 2008
This is just ridiculous-too many people have clearly forgotten the TRUE meaning of Christmas-if you don't believe in GOD, then please don't feel the need to participate in a Christian based religion. No one is asking you to change your beliefs, but please don't throw your beliefs down my throat at Christmas.
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samantha brown - Brooklyn Park, MD - Karma: Bad
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Curiosity - November 12, 2008
Why is it okay to insult those who do not believe in God but it's not okay to insult those who believe?
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Regan Lovelace - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Bad
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