A group of humanists announced this week plans to plaster over 200 buses in Washington D.C. with ads bearing its "godless holiday" message.
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Photo: American Humanist Association -
Photo: American Humanist Association
Ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on the outside and inside of DC Metro buses starting next Tuesday and will run throughout December. Newspaper versions of the ads ran in The New York Times and The Washington Post this week.
The advertising campaign is part of an effort by the American Humanist Association to reach out to like-minded individuals around the nation's capitol and elsewhere who might be interested in humanism. The atheistic group espouses the belief that one can live a moral life apart from a belief in a god or the afterlife.
"Humanists have always understood that you don't need a god to be good," said AHA executive director Roy Speckhardt. "So that's the point we're making with this advertising campaign. Morality doesn't come from religion. It's a set of values embraced by individuals and society based on empathy, fairness, and experience."
One version of the ad features a black Santa shrugging under red and green-colored text with snowflakes appearing in the background. Posters of the ad will be mounted on the side of DC Metro buses, between the taillights, and behind the driver's seat.
Fred Edwords, spokesman for the humanist group, said the campaign seeks to connect with "non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion," according to Fox News.
The move by the American humanists comes one month after the British Humanist Association said it will run ads declaring, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life," on London buses in January.
British author Richard Dawkins, an activist for a more outspoken and aggressive brand of atheism, which some refer to as "militant atheism," had pledged to help fund the London ads.
While one U.K. Methodist church thought the "no God" ads would have the opposite intended effect and instead stir an interest in God, Christians in America aren't amused at AHA's "godless holiday campaign."
For many Christian groups, the campaign signifies that the cultural war to divorce Christ from Christmas is intensifying.
“It is the ultimate ‘grinch’ to suggest there is no God during a holiday where millions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is insensitive and mean," remarked Mathew D. Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian legal group that has defended the rights of cities and schools to display nativity scenes and Christmas decorations.
"Christmas is a time of joy and hope, not a time for hate," added Staver. "Why believe in God? – Because Santa is not the only one coming to town."
Tim Wildmon, president of American Family Association, which has encouraged its 3-million member base to boycott businesses that censor Christmas, described the ad as "stupid." He couldn't understand the logic of the ad's message telling people to be good apart from a belief in God.
"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," said Wildmon, according to Fox News.
Roberta Combs, who heads the Christian Coalition of America, said the campaign's attempt to ban God and Christmas from the public square will not sit well with many Americans.
Unlike Britain, where six in ten people admit they have no religious affiliation, according to a report by the United Nations, the United States is a nation that still overwhelmingly professes a belief in God. Earlier this year, a poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 92 percent of Americans believe in God.
"Although a number of humanists and atheists continue to attempt to rid God and Christmas from the public square, the American people are overwhelmingly opposed to such efforts," said Combs.
She also cited a recent poll published by NBC that found 86 percent of Americans in favor of keeping "In God We Trust" as the nation's motto and the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A spokeswoman at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said the agency accepts ads that aren't obscene or pornographic, reported Fox News.
But Combs said her organization plans to mobilize its 2.5 million supporters to contact city officials and Congress to stop the "un-Godly campaign."
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They'll probably attribute the rapture to gaseous emissions or something.
Or as some people believe, we're all just figments of our own imagination, so Christians didn't exist to begin with....
pray wrote: "what will they believe when believers are gone."
That God is real and meant what He said.
I mean at the rapture, when we leave what is the unbeliever going to believe then ... it was a sarcastic statement...next thing you know the atheists will turn into UFO folks or say the christians de evolved or some meta physic thing. I just thought it was funny. what will they believe when believers are gone.
"when we leave and are called up? What are they going to believe then?"
Please clarify. The vs does not give the believer permission to leave. It is the unbeliever who leaves.
1 Corinthians 7:15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
Yeah I really wonder what unbelievers are going to do when we leave and are called up? What are they going to believe then?
to Huron
1 Corinthians 7:15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
to Huron
1 John 4:6
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Daniel Paul,
I think it may be becoming physical, now, too.
"I wonder gentlemen, how you would approach this issue if you lived in Saudi Arabia,or China or Iran and any other part of the world where persecution is so rampant."
How true. I have lived overseas. You could get thrown out of the country I lived in for even trying to convert a Muslim. Still, tolerance ruled our area.
Still, we have persecution of different forms here in the states. It may not be physical but the attempt to ruin peoples reputations is quite popular towards anyone who stands up for doing the right thing.
huron, what caused you to turn your back on Jesus Christ considering the price He paid for you on Calvary?
"Wisdom from the spirit." I never met a mormon, muslim, hindu, protestant, catholic, that didn't use "spiritual" wisdom as a defense for the fact it is just made up.
Yes I have heard of Josh Mcdowells books. I actually have most of them. They are convincing to you just like mormon, muslim, and others apologetics are convincing for them. I believe Robert Price has a book coming out soon that rebuts Mcdowell's arguments.
to Huron,
1 Corinthians 2: 13-16
Wisdom From the Spirit
13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
"I was raised christian but came to realize that the arguments I had for my god were"
Ever read Evidence That Demands a Verdict?
I believe that reaching out to or including people of other faiths (or those who lack faith) is a wonderful (and even ideally Christian) thing to do. However... I don't see how Christmas in particular can be even be considered a holiday without GOD. It represents the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and for me has always served as a reminder of his birth, life, and sacrifice. Around Christmas I am reminded of my duty to glorify God and Jesus through my service to community and, in essence, through "being good". Christmas is a Christian Holiday. You can't have a 'Godless' Christmas holiday.
Imagine no God in your life, just as much you need food to survive, one needs spiritual food for your soul, to remain sane one needs spirituality and time for yourself in meditating the will of God. Why is it that the UN and other organisations have recognised spirituality to heal various ailments and sicknesses in this modern world with all its creations and inventions. A world / a home without God will make you empty inside and will end up with fire and misery all around you driving one to sucide as we have seen all around us over the years.
2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
It's just a sign of the times. And I'm glad for it. Time is short, and it's time for people to quit sitting on the fence. If they want to choose God, let them do it with all their heart. If they want to choose death, let them do it with all their heart.
The only thing more damaging than a hardcore atheist, is a wishy-washy Christian.
shooter, a large majority of Christians in America don't witness now and you're right probably some of those who do wouldn't if there was serious persecution for those who did. But what I find very interesting is that in those countries where persecution of God's Church is rampant, His Church is growing tremendously. I guess when non-believers see believers sharing their faith regardless of the consequences they realize this faith they have is real and genuine and they are open to both listen and accept the truths that these believers share with them.
The Freedom from Religion billboards and advertisements will backfire on them. It already has with their campaign of "Imagine There Is No Religion." Most Americans ponder that and shiver. We live "In God We Trust" USA!
I wonder gentlemen, how you would approach this issue if you lived in Saudi Arabia,or China or Iran and any other part of the world where persecution is so rampant. It is easy to share the gospel in a country that for now accepts this open sharing. However I think you might be a somewhat more careful who you witnessed to if it might cost your life.
"I submit that if the Holy Spirit has not gone before to prepare the heart you might as well talk to a wall."
Although this is true not all sharing of the word is 'sowing seed'. The Bible says some sow, some water and some reap. I submit there is also soil prep, too. There is a process of preparing the soil where the Holy Spirit uses beleivers to prepare others for the seed. This can be done in many ways all of which involve the Word of God. Also, seed can be dormant if not watered. Just because a sower didn't reap doesn't mean it was in vain.
Besides, we will NEVER run out of seed now will we? :-)
artm, although I agree we're most effectively used of God when our hearts are right with Him and we witness out of both love for God and the person(s) we're sharing with, but there are times as with Jonah that God can use us in spite of our own attitudes toward those we are witnessing to.
Believer, and Shooter are both right. The only thing I would add here is, " We don't always know, or recognize where the Holy Spirit is working, so we must sow seed, then leave it up to the Holy Spirit to bring forth fruit.
We must tell them, even when they reject the Word, they must be told.
My concern is, Are they told in Love.? If we don't tell them because we love them with the Love of Christ, then we are as bad as they are.
If we tell them out of anger, Or because we want to hit them where it hurts, Then we have sinned also.
if we can't tell them in Love, then it might be better not to say anything until we can, or leave the telling to those who can.
shooter, apparently the sower in the parable Christ used to teach His disciples how some people will respond to the Gospel, but once again I'm agreeing with you that unless a person is ready and willing to hear the Gospel our witness may fall on deaf ears, but it is our responsibility to plant the seed and the Holy Spirit is responsible for preparing the soil to receive the seed.
Believer
What farmer plants seeds before he has plowed and fertilized? I didn't say this was not an opportunity to share the gospel all I said was look for where the Holy Spirit may already be at work.
shooter, I hear what you're saying, but our responsibility is to plant seed and this ad campaign might provide an awesome opportunity for the Christian community to do just that and pray that God will reap a great harvest from it.
The scripture also says to Not throw your pearls before swine. I submit that if the Holy Spirit has not gone before to prepare the heart you might as well talk to a wall. It is God who adds to the Church not man.
shooter38, Daniel Paul is right.
There are a lot of people who claim to be atheists, and the majority of them will live out their lives, with "good" and/or "bad" intentions, but will finally be lost for all eternity, contrary to all the evidence stacked against our faith. But a small percentage will contemplate something that maybe one Christian has said, and will be saved and live in Heaven for eternity.
How can we tell which ones? We can't. All we can do is pray earnestly and sincerely for each one we meet. We can swallow our pride, our sarcasms (at least do our best ;^) and wish them well, so that we project no hostility towards them.
Plant a hundred seeds, one is bound to take root and grow. Do it for God's glory. Every soul is worth saving.
Paul, through the Holy Spirit told us, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." - 1Tim:2
There's a better example of scripture I was looking for, but this fits fine :^)
God bless.
"Why not wait for the Holy Spirit to prepare a heart and then join him in the endeavor"
We are commanded to preach in season and out of season.
Rather than try to prove God to someone who wants concrete evidence of his existence. Why not wait for the Holy Spirit to prepare a heart and then join him in the endeavor
Although I agree the timing is kind of a cheap shot at Christianity, I too believe God can use this as a great witnessing opportunity for His people if we will join Him in taking advantage of it.
I agree with mugglborn. I totally agree. If humanist want to pose a question then let them. We as believers should be very equipped to answer the question. We ask and pray for opportunities to share the wordl of God with those who are lost. Let's do it!!!! Answer the question.
Christian brother and sisters. Look at this as an opportunity. God can use this intention to His advantage and to the advantage of all who see these ads who might be saved.
No doubt that this will stir some dialog. So use it as an opportunity to witness for our Lord and Savior, and explain to those that don't know about salvation that it is not about doing more good than bad, but it is about grace and a gift that God gave us through His son, Jesus Christ.
How appropriate it is to talk about gifts during the "Holiday Season" :^)
Take the chance to spread the good news. Don't be upset if someone doesn't seem to respond positively; you've planted a seed, and don't forget to wish people a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. And pray that God will touch people's hearts.
God Bless us, everyone.
Good grief. The whining of Staver, Wildmon, et al, is really disheartening. How fragile is our faith if we're worried that it will crumble anytime someone who doesn't share it asks a philosophical question?
These are exactly the kind of reactions the humanists are hoping to provoke with their campaign--exactly because such reactions make Christians look foolish and ignorant. I'm tired of being represented in the media by angry culture warriors.
The first thing that came to my mind when I heard this was
Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart there is no God. I couldn't agree more with Forgivensinner: Forget Religion the pharisees were religious and Jesus rebuked them repeatedly.
mburrell,
I hear you. Try not to get caught up in religion, religion is set up by fallible man rather dwell in His Word and be apart of like-minded people that will both build you up and yes, challenge you. Religion is about man, Christianity is about Christ. (That may have been more for me than a response to you) Thanks, mburrell for voicing this.
i'm beginning to wonder, despite all the good that religions do, if religions themselves do not create permanent stumbling blocks to world peaace. each religion has its walls built up and those "others" are "just not really one of us" so by this standard they are deficient and do not deserve our full respect or attention. some of my christian friends are the worse about this. muslims may be THE worst.
"The mistake we Christians need to correct is this humanistic concept that we are the problem, rather than the solution."
Nice gmac and AMEN!
"Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt becomes tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing more, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world........Let your light shine in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
ok that atheist story was funny, wonder if the bear had hot sauce
I think a more appropriate song to think of here would be John Lennon's "Imagine". I got out of church and away from the Christian walk for a while in my life. I can tell you that the problem is, most people like to imagine that we would all live in peace and harmony without fighting over God if we had no religion. The flaw in this line of reasoning is that the atheistic societies of our world have faired no better, if not worse.
On the other hand, just imagine for a minute that there is no God and therefore, no real standard for "good" or "evil". At this point, anything really goes because right and wrong are all up to ME to decide. In this world, you can't tell me anything from rape to oppression to mass murder is wrong. That line of reasoning, unfortunately, creates a world that is like the one we have today.
The mistake we Christians need to correct is this humanistic concept that we are the problem, rather than the solution.
Every tongue will confess, and every knee will bow...in this lifetime or the next, you make the decision
DP, we get Moody station WJSO here in Pikeville, KY, believer
Just FYI, Billy Grahams radio station in NC is looking for people to give positive (not mean) answers to the question "Why Believe in God?" I understand they are going to mail the answers to the humanist organization that paid for the ad.... :D
Here's the link:
http://www.wmit.org/programming/matt_in_the_morning.html
Steve ... you mudblood ;^) You're messin' with the joke, man.
But thanks for the info ... *sigh* So used to associating Paul McCartney with the Beatles :^)
How about GnR?
I guess I got a thumbs down because some one thinks the Beatles did do that song...you have to feel sorry for them.
Hi muggleborn
the song "live and let die" is not by the Beatles but by Wings which is the group Macca formed after the Beatles split up(unless you know of a scripture to show me wrong?), it is also the theme song to the Bond movie of the same name. Don't be such a mud blood.
:-p
Steve
P.s phil777, next thing is you'll tell me the tortoise and the rabbit is true...
An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that the evolution had created. "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!", he said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing.
He ran even faster, so scared that tears were coming to his eyes. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.
At that instant the Atheist cried out "Oh my God!...."
Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
Even the river stopped moving.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don't exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice.
The light went out.
The river ran again.
And the sounds of the forest resumed.
And then the bear dropped his right paw ..... brought both paws together...bowed his head and spoke:
"Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful...AMEN!"
â
mburrell,
So what you're saying, like the Beatles song is, "live and let die"? BTW, that's spiritual death being referred to here.
Romans 1;28 declares, " Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge."
Another translation says, " People did not think it was Important to have a true knowledge of God."