Sign Stolen?

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Amen to that chiknmama, (pun intended) I have actually been pursued down a sidewalk getting harangued very loudly at every step when I replied to a question about my own faith with what was apparently perceived as the “wrong” answer by the religious proselytizer. At that point, respect was impossible for me to maintain, and even courtesy was difficult but I barely managed it.

My signiture about compassion BTW does not mean I follow those words perfectly, but it is a goal.

It is more impressive to me when I see someone following and living their beliefs, than when they are yelling them at me from their soapbox/pulpit (/courthouse lawn?).

Someone who is living - to the best of their ability- their religion or philosophy is a much better representation of said philosophy than the ones who get all the media attention.

When people of various faiths pursue me and insist I listen/believe/live as they do, it usually turns me off immediately to whatever it is they are "selling".

meri

 

[Acre of Blessings]

My sig says it all

 

[menageriemama]

Littleyellowone: I am so happy to live in a place that values ALL people's right to believe ( or disbelieve) as they choose. Hooray for America- this wonderful place that we all live in. And lets all embrace each other as a part of humanity, even though we may disagree on some points.

That sign happens to speak to my own beliefs, and the fact that it is welcomed in public places (along with other representations of belief) makes my heart happy.

I accept and respect other folk's religious convictions, and hope that they will return that openness.

 

[cjeanean]

I disagree with the fact that it says "may reason prevail". Christian organizations can't post the same thing about people who don't believe in God, like "this year may people be intelligent and acknowledge the fact that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the one true God". That wouldn't be permitted. I believe they have a right to speak their belief, but anything that criticizes another belief shouldn't be allowed. Yeah, the sign may offend someone of different belief, but to criticize them is a different story.

If they choose to believe in the earth and consider the earth as their god then their sign should say something along those lines, just as Christian signs should NOT say anything about another religion but instead state something positive about the Christian faith. That sign specifically criticizes any religion that believes in a god. We could not put up a sign on public property criticizing a specific group of people unless it is in protest, therefore the same should apply to everyone. Offending someone, like I said, is someone you encounter everywhere, but criticizing people the way that sign does is not right.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Quote:
Totally agree.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Quote:
See, you accept that other believe differently. That sign is balatanly unaccepting. If a group of Christians put up a sign that said "People who do not believe in god are stupid and their beliefs are wrong." You would be upset.

The meaning of the sign was good, to represent the non-religious where Christians get to be represented, but the way they went about it was all wrong. They could have used more curtousey.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

I wonder if anyone ever put to a vote whether public displays should be allowed (or ordained) to be on courthouse lawns.

I'm sure people would probably ok it, though. They would vote Yes with fervor, sure that their religion/philosophy/idea would be the front runner.

Unfortunately, unless ALL displays are taken down the debate will go on, the fighting, the whining, the nasty comments and actions of every side will prevail. It seems silly to tie up the court system for such things.

I can understand if a court employee wished to put a small display on their own desk, in their own space. It would be about the same as putting pictures of your kids or pets on your desk, or having a plant. But putting a display in public, on govt. property is tantamount (imo) to said Govt. agency promoting that idea/philosophy/religion.


oops

edited because I forgot the L in Public my bad

meri

 

[greyfields]

I'm proud the sign is there. That feeling in your gut when you read it? It's the same an agnostic or atheist gets when he or she passes a nativity scene.

There's room for everyone; and it's nice to see all sides of the issue get some equal airtime.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Actually, personally, the sign doesn't bother me that way - but, I still believe that no displays should be allowed - it just isn't the place for them.

Wouldn't it bypass the entire argument if religious displays were kept in the home or in their respective establishments' lawns. Wouldn't it save the atheist and agnostics from having to view them and want (rightfully so) equal time?

Wouldn't it make more sense for our courts to discuss matters of actual physical harm crimes than to debate and settle lawsuits of one group demanding that their beliefs/display to be equal with another?

If none are allowed, there is no debate. If none are displayed, there is no outcry that the Govt. is playing favorites.

There is a place for everything, but why does that place have to be government property?

eta - Govt. property belongs (in theory) to ALL the people of the United States. I would not put some of those displays on my own property so why should we force them onto "other people's" property. It is not MY courthouse, it is everyone's courthouse.

meri

 

[greyfields]

I would agree with you. But, we're obviously in the minority on this one.

The argument is that if the government is truly "of the people", then our culture should not be excluded from government. What are we without tradition, heritage and customs?

That's how the argument goes, anyway. I wish as well our time weren't spent debating the issue.