Controversial Times Square Billboard Urges People to ‘Dump The Myth’ of Jesus
The holiday season is in full swing, and while folks are out decking the halls, secular group American Atheists is back with yet another controversial holiday billboard.
This year, the group funded a two-story Times Square billboard in New York City that urged passersby to “Keep the Merry” of Christmas, but “Dump the Myth” of Jesus Christ.
American Atheists raised $25,000 for the billboard, which will run through the entire Holiday season. And while some wonder why the group has taken a jab at Christianity, while excluding other religions that celebrate around this time of year, a spokesman for American Atheists told Fox News that’s it’s time people to celebrate Christmas without feeling pressured to believe in Christ.
“Most Christians are really atheists who feel trapped in their family’s religion,” David Silverman, American Atheists president, told Fox News. “They need not be Christian to enjoy the holiday season.
The group’s website gives more details:
“The true beauty of the season—family, friends, and love—have nothing to do with the gods of yesteryear. Indeed, the season is far more enjoyable without the religious baggage of guilt and judgmentalism. Dump the myth and have a happy holiday season.”
Predictably, Christians aren’t too keen on the group’s billboard. The Catholic League, one of American Atheists biggest critics, have been outspoken about the billboard.
“This year it’s different,” Bill Donohue, the Catholic League spokesman, said. “This is vile. When you depict Jesus on the cross with a crown of thorns, this is exploitative. We as Christians never harass, intimidate or insult atheists. But they can’t seem to say, ‘We simply disagree with you.’ They have to insult us.”
While American Atheists have the right to share their views, it seems a bit disingenuous that they are critical of those want to incorporate their religious view into their holiday celebrations simply because they don’t.
What do you think of the billboard?
Source: Times Square Atheist Billboard Says ‘Dump The Myth’ With A Picture Of Jesus Christ [Inquisitr]
I honestly feel it is in bad taste to put these kind of billboards up.It is very intolerant of others’ beliefs, as opposed to simply promoting their own. One could argue that they are trying to “force ‘atheism’ down the publics throat”, or shame Christians as Christmas “forces” people to be Christian. Does Hanukkah force people to be jewish? Does Ramadan force people to be Muslim? Does Cinco de Mayo force people to be Mexican?
The bottom line is this: People are people. There are going to be assholes on every side of the spectrum, Religious ones and non-religious ones. =/ Its a bad idea to hide your asshole-ish ways behind your religion or lack there of.
But Christians force their beliefs on society all the time. Look at the debate on same sex marriage.
Two wrongs don’t make a right! Didn’t we learn this when we were 5?
Dont paint everyone with broad strokes. You have gay christians leading their own churchs, You have pro-abortion christians ect. Also, not all atheist are pro-gay marriage.
My point isnt that Christianity is “perfect”. My point is, they are doing the exact same thing that they claim they hate. Pots calling kettles black.
@christina
When did I insinuate that either side was right/wrong? You read too much into my comment and assumed.
Ask first, didn’t we learn that when er were 5?
Please dont paint everyone with broad strokes. While that is true, there are also many pro-gay marriage christians. Dont think that all atheist are pro-gay marriage, or even pro-abortion.
The point of my post was not to say that Christianity is perfect, but the organization that put the billboard up are guilty of doing the exact same thing that they say Christianity does. Pots calling Kettles black.
Intolerance is not okay on either side.
Ok gennatay, so now I’ll ask. what was the point of your comment “but Christians force their beliefs on society all the time.” That comment implies that you’re stating-since Christians do it, Atheists can do it too.
Your ass is showing.
@Gennatay Forgive my ass comment, it was impulse. Christina was right on that one though. Please don’t deny it, you insult our intelligence.
In terms of certain Christians forcing their beliefs on society, the key thing here is that it is a debate. Neither side is right in trying to force hate messages. If your cause is truthful, people will relate and they will flock to it. If it isn’t, well….-shrug-. This billboard is not the way. I feel like I did when those billboards targeted towards black people killing black babies went up. I felt unfairly targeted there just as I do now with this billboard.
All Christians don’t believe that same sex marriage is wrong. Homosexuality as a sin is a piece of the Law Of Abraham that trickled its way in to staying once those laws were done away with when Christ died. Its the difference between the New Testament and the Old. Its the same thing with certain animals/foods being impure. I just really wish we could all love thy neighbor.
@ Deemyselfandi, really, are you sure about that??? Something that directly goes against creation mmmmmmm
@christina
Its stating a fact. Christians do force their beliefs on others, it is so widely based that we have to vote on people basic civil rights because of the belief of others.
I am not saying one side is right or wrong for how they get their message out. What I took from the article and what my post was based on was: “We as Christians never harass, intimidate or insult” and mimi’s comment of: “One could argue that they are trying to “force ‘atheism’ down the publics throat” those two arguments really don’t have a leg to stand on.
Also, can we please ever have a healthy debate on this site without the insults?
I don’t agree with the ad but will defend their right to have it up. I also had no problem with “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb” anti abortion ad either.
k
Christians are the only religious group allowed to be disrespected in a public space. Trust and believe if this was an anti muslim or anti jewish ad, all hell would break loose.
Pretty much!
I say that all the time. Actor Ricky Gervais, an atheist, posed on a magazine cover as Jesus promoting atheism, dogging Christians, yet still hosted The Academy Awards. Had he referred to Muslims, Jews, or Athiest he wouldnt have a career.
Not true. There have been anti-Muslim ads on the public transit systems in New York City and Washington, D.C.. And all hell didn’t break loose.
nation.time.com/…/controversy-escalates-over-anti-islam-metro-ads/
politix.topix.com/homepage/3715-9-11-anti-islam-ads-hit-nyc-subway
They did not say Islam or Muslim or Muhammad, they said “savages” in that ad if I am remembering correctly.
Sorry Val, but that ad did not defame Muslims. It vilifies jihadists. For the people who associate Jihadists with Muslims they are in the wrong.
@ B “Christians are the only religious group allowed to be disrespected in a public space. Trust and believe if this was an anti muslim or anti jewish ad, all hell would break loose”
Exactly! Let Allah be up on a billboard like that and best believe Times Square would be going up in flames and heads would be on a platter.
As a Christian, I believe we’re disrespected outright because we’re divided among ourselves. Some of us believe this and some over here believe that. Preachers can’t be real because they’re too afraid of offending people. Resulting in “watered down” Bible stories that do nothing to explain salvation and what the requirements are to obtain it. There is no power in division and disorder. I truly respect Muslims because they are adamant about their beliefs and organized in what they do.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ plain and simple. Chosing to celebrate without Christ is azz backwards. Like going to someone else’s birthday party and telling them to leave (their own party) …so you can eat up their food, drink their liquor and celebrate. FOOLISHNESS!
Christmas is about Christ and no billboard will EVER convince me otherwise.
I believe that this is a little of the “it’s ok to make fun of white people but not Black people” meme. Christians are the majority in this country and are also the ‘religion of power’, particularly politically, if not financially. You risk no physically aggressive attack for being Christian in America, nor any disenfranchisement. US presidents are Christians and are generally expected to be. I think folks just don’t feel the same need to protect Christians from attack. I’m not saying it’s right, but the most probable reason.
@B:
It’s called “Karma”… But wait, as a Christian, you don’t believe in that, do you?
Christians have been disrespecting other beliefs as well as other believers for centuries. Last I checked, don’t Christians believe that anyone that is not a Christian is “going to hell?
If so, then the disrespect is built into the very fabric of the beliefs.
But, if you’re someone who doesn’t believe in the concept of “hell” then why would it matter? I’d think it’d be a moot point. I don’t believe in unicorns, so if someone told me that I’d be killed by a unicorn if I didn’t adhere to their religious beliefs I wouldn’t care in the least.
@JaeBee:
I don’t think you are following that path of logic thru to completion.
It was that same mindset that sparked the Inquisition & The Crusades & Slavery & numerous other heinous acts.
If you are in a position to oppress others, especially those whom you view as “hell-bound heathens”, there is no reason whatsoever to treat them humanely.
Both the Bible & the Qur’an blatantly state to kill non-believers.
Last I checked, people who believe in unicorns don’t feel that way about people who don’t. :-\
@gennatay
Don’t paint everyone in broad strokes,
there are many pro-gay marriage christians. The point of my post was this: intolerance is never okay. The org. who posted the billboard are just like Christians who try to belittle and demoralize others who don’t share their beliefs.
I am not painting everyone in broad strokes. I know there are several pro gay Christians. Although I am not a Catholic Christian I am very spiritual and believe whole heartily in gay marriage. My comment was based on the context of the article which focuses on atheist and Christians.