Happy Holidays to all our atheist friends

Perhaps you should watch or listen to the news more:
New York Firehouse Refuses to Remove Jesus Sign Amidst Atheist’s Threats
The Chief said "no way, people in the community like it".

I say.........you go for it, Chief.

"Lack of acceptance" is one of the reasons I left So California where it seemed like anything goes. I was never taught to be "open minded" about everything and I'm glad I wasn't taught that.

You're a non-believer, that's up to you. I can tell you don't like the Christian Faith probably as much as the Christian Faith doesn't like what Atheists have to say.
Why can't we all just get along? My answer.......it just ain't gonna happen! Tolerate each other, perhaps.

And, right back to you, "Merry Christmas" (anyhow)!

AZ Jim said:
Lack of acceptance of others is a Christian tradition. Merry Christmas anyhow. i have no idea what you are talking about with the sign changing comment.
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I have atheist friends and also relatives, also agnostic ones, Christian ones and Hindu as well. My Hindu friend always likes a Christmas card and gift from me [the only ones she will get!] Christmas is a bright spot in the middle of Winter that I look forward to, and why not... we should all enjoy it. :biggrin-new:
 
ClassicRockr said:
Was trying to resist in replying to this Thread, but "what the heck"!
Don't have any atheist friends..........why should we, we are both Christians! So, it's a "Merry Christmas" to all our Christian friends.
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ClassicRockr said:
Not "selfish", just not open to any kind of atheism! And, many atheist are selfish as well.........being they try to change signs posted about Christmas!
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Why are you afraid to associate with Atheists, hmm? What are you afraid of exactly? If your faith is strong, it is not threatened by my absence of belief. Whenever I hear a Christian say that, all I think is you have no more faith than I do; I'm just brave enough to admit it. Christians who truly believe never have any problem with me. They do not see me as a threat.

ClassicRockr said:
Perhaps you should watch or listen to the news more:
New York Firehouse Refuses to Remove Jesus Sign Amidst Atheist’s Threats
The Chief said "no way, people in the community like it".

I say.........you go for it, Chief.

"Lack of acceptance" is one of the reasons I left So California where it seemed like anything goes. I was never taught to be "open minded" about everything and I'm glad I wasn't taught that.

You're a non-believer, that's up to you. I can tell you don't like the Christian Faith probably as much as the Christian Faith doesn't like what Atheists have to say.
Why can't we all just get along? My answer.......it just ain't gonna happen! Tolerate each other, perhaps.

And, right back to you, "Merry Christmas" (anyhow)!
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That fire chief is so going to lose. Read our Constitution. That sign is from a government entity and the government has to remain neutral on religion. It cannot put up a sign either endorsing religion (as in this case) or negating it (Jesse Ventura was just as wrong using his public office to say things I agreed with and I was just as angry at him for doing so as I am every Christian Right politician) but must remain neutral. Supreme Court has decided that government cannot favor any religion over another or -- wait for it -- religion over irreligion or vice versa. It must remain neutral. Your precious fire chief is in violation of our very constitution. He is favoring Christianity over everything else and religion over irreligion. He can do that privately but he cannot do so when speaking in his official capacity. This is not a Christian nation; it is a secular nation founded on freedom of religion and, before you say of and not from, that also includes the freedom to disbelieve.
 

Thank you for all your kind thoughts and a Happy Holiday
;;;;;;;;;;;;Merry Christmas to all those spared by the lions!:)




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The Fire Chief is not getting in trouble and the atheist lose this bout! The sign stays.

We aren't afraid of anything. We just prefer not to associate with atheist, smokers, or some other folks. That's IS our choice! You have made your own choices in life and won't let anyone tell you that you are wrong.......right?





raid to associate with Atheists, hmm? What are you afraid of exactly? If your faith is strong, it is not threatened by my absence of belief. Whenever I hear a Christian say that, all I think is you have no more faith than I do; I'm just brave enough to admit it. Christians who truly believe never have any problem with me. They do not see me as a threat.



That fire chief is so going to lose. Read our Constitution. That sign is from a government entity and the government has to remain neutral on religion. It cannot put up a sign either endorsing religion (as in this case) or negating it (Jesse Ventura was just as wrong using his public office to say things I agreed with and I was just as angry at him for doing so as I am every Christian Right politician) but must remain neutral. Supreme Court has decided that government cannot favor any religion over another or -- wait for it -- religion over irreligion or vice versa. It must remain neutral. Your precious fire chief is in violation of our very constitution. He is favoring Christianity over everything else and religion over irreligion. He can do that privately but he cannot do so when speaking in his official capacity. This is not a Christian nation; it is a secular nation founded on freedom of religion and, before you say of and not from, that also includes the freedom to disbelieve.
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ClassicRockr said:
The Fire Chief is not getting in trouble and the atheist lose this bout! The sign stays.

We aren't afraid of anything. We just prefer not to associate with atheist, smokers, or some other folks. That's IS our choice! You have made your own choices in life and won't let anyone tell you that you are wrong.......right?
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ClassicRockr, may I suggest that you are wasting precious moments of this Advent season disputing with people when we are supposed to be focusing on the miracle of "God contracted to a span" in the form of a baby born to lowly parents to be a sign unto the nations.

I have been both an atheist and a Christian and I was the same person throughout both experiences. If people of faith had not unconditionally accepted me as I was I would not have had the opportunity to witness Christian faith as a lived experience.

None of us can be certain of anything by reason alone nor even by scientific observation and experiment, although many atheists think otherwise. Similarly, we people of faith cannot be certain about the nature of the God, nor what the future holds for us individually or for mankind in general. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot know and understand these things fully but we are offered certain gifts that come with faith, namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,[SUP] [/SUP]humility, and self-control.

I believe that Advent (and Lent) are seasons that provide opportunities for Christians to reflect on our words, thoughts and deeds to see whether we are exercising the gifts of the Spirit in our interactions with people we encounter in our daily lives and that includes our online activities. We need to remember that the baby born in the animal stall was rejected over and over again but continued to reach out with generosity of spirit to everyone he encountered to the very end. This is the example his followers today are called to emulate.

Let us refrain from disputing with one another and try to greet each other in the spirit of "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Mankind" and let us reflect on the last words of Paul's letter to the church in Corinth (1 Cor 13:11-13)

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. [SUP] [/SUP]Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
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Christmas is the perfect time to share this vision of faith, hope and love with all mankind, atheists included. There are no limits to love.

 
Well said, Dame.

Christmas is the perfect time to share this vision of faith, hope and love with all mankind, atheists included. There are no limits to love.

That was my intention in starting this thread. Being a Christian is not a prerequisite to being my friend. I have some dear friends who are not believers. I don't feel any overwhelming compulsion to convert them. We have other things in common.

I know some Christians are extremely judgmental but I am fortunate enough to not be acquainted with them. Thank you, Jesus!!!!!!!!

IMHO, the best way to lead is by example.
 
I don't generally ask someone what their religious leanings are. It makes no difference to me so long as they are kind, interesting, funny and I enjoy their company. I simply cannot imagine telling someone like that.. "Sorry.. I'm not going to be your friend because you do not hold my religious beliefs so leave me alone". Working in healtcare as long as I have, I have had the opportunity to interact with people of all races and beliefs on a personal and professional level. Goodness and caring and morality are not solely Christian traits... they span the entire spectrum of humans. To not take advantage of the opportunity to interact and learn from others' it truely missing out... and is really sad IMO.

In thinking about this... I have decided to make one New Years resolution to reach out to more people of different faiths and cultures. It can only be an enriching experience.
 
I like to practice inclusiveness with people, no matter what their religion or personal philosophy, provided it is positive and life affirming.

In the past I've met people who were members of certain cult-like 'religious' groups, who believed that people who were not members of their group were inferior and not worth associating with. If a group follower disagreed with the leader's philosophy in any way they were subjected to certain punishments (shunning being one of them) to reinstate control, to prevent followers from any outside influences and leaving the group. This kind of negative indoctrination is usually instilled by the group leader to maintain power and usually to get money from the followers. I don't believe this is the way most Christians think at all, but certain sects or groups (Christian or otherwise) may adopt this way of thinking as a self-protective mechanism and could react with anger when challenged or questioned.

My wish is that we all accept each other and our different world views with peace, love and understanding.
 
My wish is that we all accept each other and our different world views with peace, love and understanding.

Amen to that!
 
ClassicRockr said:
The Fire Chief is not getting in trouble and the atheist lose this bout! The sign stays.

We aren't afraid of anything. We just prefer not to associate with atheist, smokers, or some other folks. That's IS our choice! You have made your own choices in life and won't let anyone tell you that you are wrong.......right?
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Your fear is showing, honey. If you're talking about the one in Utica, it hasn't even gone to court yet so stop lying. I believe that's considered a sin. The mayor is baking up the fire chief in breaking the law. That's hardly a win for anybody and certainly not for the freedom of this great nation.

Kitties said:
Not everyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas or holidays in general is an atheist.
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Very good point! One that is all too often ignored.

Dame Warrigal said:
ClassicRockr, may I suggest that you are wasting precious moments of this Advent season disputing with people when we are supposed to be focusing on the miracle of "God contracted to a span" in the form of a baby born to lowly parents to be a sign unto the nations.

I have been both an atheist and a Christian and I was the same person throughout both experiences. If people of faith had not unconditionally accepted me as I was I would not have had the opportunity to witness Christian faith as a lived experience.

None of us can be certain of anything by reason alone nor even by scientific observation and experiment, although many atheists think otherwise. Similarly, we people of faith cannot be certain about the nature of the God, nor what the future holds for us individually or for mankind in general. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot know and understand these things fully but we are offered certain gifts that come with faith, namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,humility, and self-control.

I believe that Advent (and Lent) are seasons that provide opportunities for Christians to reflect on our words, thoughts and deeds to see whether we are exercising the gifts of the Spirit in our interactions with people we encounter in our daily lives and that includes our online activities. We need to remember that the baby born in the animal stall was rejected over and over again but continued to reach out with generosity of spirit to everyone he encountered to the very end. This is the example his followers today are called to emulate.

Let us refrain from disputing with one another and try to greet each other in the spirit of "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Mankind" and let us reflect on the last words of Paul's letter to the church in Corinth (1 Cor 13:11-13)



Christmas is the perfect time to share this vision of faith, hope and love with all mankind, atheists included. There are no limits to love.
Click to expand...

Well said! Very well said. Also, I believe believers are supposed to leave judging to someone else, someone more suitable for the task.
 
QuickSilver said:
I don't generally ask someone what their religious leanings are. It makes no difference to me so long as they are kind, interesting, funny and I enjoy their company. I simply cannot imagine telling someone like that.. "Sorry.. I'm not going to be your friend because you do not hold my religious beliefs so leave me alone". Working in healtcare as long as I have, I have had the opportunity to interact with people of all races and beliefs on a personal and professional level. Goodness and caring and morality are not solely Christian traits... they span the entire spectrum of humans. To not take advantage of the opportunity to interact and learn from others' it truely missing out... and is really sad IMO.



In thinking about this... I have decided to make one New Years resolution to reach out to more people of different faiths and cultures. It can only be an enriching experience.
Click to expand...

Agree with your post. There are some elaborations I'd like to make but I won't try. You said it well enough. :)
 

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