The Nativity scene had been displayed for about 50 years in Memorial Square. This year, a self-described atheist asked to put up a winter solstice sign alongside the creche (CRESH’).

Rather than allow multiple displays, the borough council last week banned them all. Now, only flowers and the American flag are permitted.

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Cheers to the PA Nonbelievers for showing us once again that Christians, at least some of them, would rather take their creche and go home than actually share public land with non-Christians.

It comes down to the issue of a monopoly. If Christians have a monopoly on public land, it looks and feels like government endorsement of their mythology over everyone else’s (which, in fact, it is). However, if they are visibly placed on par with everyone else, they’d rather have the neutrality that accompanies the separation of church and state. There are no other excuses, and we see this everywhere — we try to get our own display, and they cancel all displays. I guess we win either way, but I’d rather the Christians take the high road more often.
Here is the audio of their Borough’s Chamber Meeting

First the story:

Now living with her two college-age daughters, Coady turned to relatives and friends. She posted images of the iron on her Facebook account, and asked for input. Did they see what she saw in the residue on the bottom of her iron?

The answer from her relatives – including her daughters – was unanimous:They all saw Jesus Christ, Coady.recalled today. Strengthened by their support, Coady decided to share her story with others, beginning with an article published in today’s edition of the Eagle-Tribune newspaper of Lawrence.

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Those silly Catholics! Jesus on an iron? Toast? An oil slick? IMPOSSIBLE! How do I know Jesus isn’t on any of those things? Because Jesus is in my home, on my fireplace heat reflector! Really! Below is an undoctored snapshot of the t’ing in the back of my fireplace. The black stuff is soot. The face? Obviously Jesus.

This genuine miracle is for sale to the highest bidder. Did Jesus come to my home? Let your wallet be the judge!

CHRISTMAS – Christianity is not the first, nor even the tenth religion to co-opt the Winter Solstice as their own holiday. For example, the Pagan festival of Yule (as in ‘Yuletide’) was a celebrated winter event centuries before Jesus’ alleged birth. Indeed, nearly every tradition currently associated with Christmas has non-Christian roots. As an educational organization, American Atheists urges all Christians to ask their ministers why December 25 was chosen to celebrate Jesus’ birth (enjoy the hemming and hawing).

WINTER SOLSTICE – the celestial event that started it all has been measured and celebrated since man first looked up. The solstice affects all life on earth, and the human traditions surrounding it are rich and plentiful. While Christmas is a Christian holiday, the Solstice is the real ‘reason for the season’, and it belongs to everyone.

A small, well-funded, and vocal minority of Christians are unhappy with the fact that their holiday has not totally eclipsed all others. They want all other celebrations squashed out, in an effort to make the season uniquely Christian, and organize protests and boycotts against any company which promotes an all-encompassing tolerant attitude (“Happy Holidays” vs “Merry Christmas”). American Atheists acknowledges that such views are only shared by an ignorant and bigoted minority of Christians, but at the same time we look to the more tolerant Christians to quell this attitude. As it is with Islam, the health and growth of Christianity depends on those within the church.

Atheists and others who demand strict separation of church and state seek only to prevent government agents from deciding, for anyone, whether or how to celebrate the season. The multitude of seasonal celebrations underscores the importance of the government’s neutrality.

To those who celebrate America’s diversity, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a wonderful season. To those who selfishly try to claim the whole season as their own, we wish a lousy one.

Yes, It’s obligatory to thank people on Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean those thanks aren’t heartfelt. So here we go.

Thanks:
To Mom, for making it happen
To Dad, for showing the way

To Ed, for leading
To Kathy, for supporting (and fighting)
To Edwin, for the other kind of fighting
To Conrad, for making words sing
To Jim, for learning quickly
To Dave, for taking charge
To Jared, for making it work
To KA, for moderating
To Blair, for keeping us current
To Richard, for above and beyond
To Dennis, for hosting

To the Bloggers, for keeping me honest
To the lurkers, for the hit count
To the members and donors, for paying for it

To Bob, for this idea
To Alanis, for playing god
To Pink, for the title
To everyone else, for forgiving the omission

Did the American Family Association win, or does Gap/Old Navy/Banana have more up their sleeve – we’ll find out soon when the new ad airs.

‘According to Bill Chandler, vice-president of Gap corporate communications, Gap’s Old Navy division will launch a new television commercial this weekend which “has a very strong Christmas theme.”‘

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