Atheists 'Slaves Obey Your Masters' Billboard Raises Tempers In Pennsylvania.
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Original post by Algorithm69
First of all, I'm a history student who specialises in American history. I probably know more about your history and laws than most Americans, and maybe even you, so don't resort to petty insults and assumptions.
Well considering I'm an American History major at College too, not to mention someone who actually LIVES in the US (and was born/raised there for the most part), I'd still state I know a heck of a lot more about the country than you do - as evidenced by your prior post.
Your second paragraph didn't convince me in the slightest. I'm not in the habit of pandering to people because their feelings might get hurt.
Yeah, who gives a crap about elementary school aged children and whether their feelings get hurt and/or unnecessary racial tensions are sprouted up; as long the message is put across, that's all that matters. Last time I checked, it was indeed the five-year-old kids who decide whether their family follows a religious path or not.
Its not pandering (
) if the message is not only lost on kids, but also creates divisions/hurt in an environment where there shouldn't be any. It was just a stupidly executed plan and quite right that it got torn down.(edited 12 years ago)
It's an excellent point, in a country where people believe the Bible to be a flawless source of morality. Pointing out that it endorses one of the worst ethical problems the US has ever faced is obviously going to raise some hackles, but too bad. Your holy book is vile, too bad you believe in it.
Perhaps the picture of the african slave was unecessary, but I don't see why athiests have to be obliged to be more tactful. certianly, it's a little agressive, but not in comparison to "You will burn in hell" and "God hates fags"
Comparatively, those statements are putting people under personal attack, whereas this is simply quoting a book. they publish it, they should grow up.
Comparatively, those statements are putting people under personal attack, whereas this is simply quoting a book. they publish it, they should grow up.
Original post by rocknrollnerd
Perhaps the picture of the african slave was unecessary, but I don't see why athiests have to be obliged to be more tactful. certianly, it's a little agressive, but not in comparison to "You will burn in hell" and "God hates fags"
Comparatively, those statements are putting people under personal attack, whereas this is simply quoting a book. they publish it, they should grow up.
Comparatively, those statements are putting people under personal attack, whereas this is simply quoting a book. they publish it, they should grow up.
It's not really that much of a big deal.
People who are getting offended because it's got a picture of a slave and references slaves are missing the point.
Plus I don't see why atheists shouldn't be allowed to put up such posters.
People who are getting offended because it's got a picture of a slave and references slaves are missing the point.
Plus I don't see why atheists shouldn't be allowed to put up such posters.
Original post by umop apisdn
If I hadn't seen Christian posters in London, and Muslim adverts on buses in Kent, then I would say the billboard in Penn is too far. However, I think it's just a retaliation from the atheists. I know I'm getting fed up with being told how peaceful religion is, but if you look at the wars going on now not much of it is to do with atheism.
I know this post will likely be negged by religious people - I'm not disregarding your religion, but I don't want it to be rubbed in my face. I don't want to be told about it or have it advertised, and I think that billboard in Penn is emphasising it. If, as a Christian, that makes you upset, imagine how irritated an atheist gets at seeing other religious advertisements.
I know this post will likely be negged by religious people - I'm not disregarding your religion, but I don't want it to be rubbed in my face. I don't want to be told about it or have it advertised, and I think that billboard in Penn is emphasising it. If, as a Christian, that makes you upset, imagine how irritated an atheist gets at seeing other religious advertisements.
This position doesn't make sense you do realise this don't you? Of course wars don't occur in the name of atheism because atheism isn't a positive ideology - it's a lack of ideology. People don't kill each other in the name of things they don't believe in but instead on grounds of things which they do believe. If you're someone who opposes religion then it should be noted that millions of people have been killed because people opposed their religion/beliefs.
Original post by NuckingFut
Funnily enough, if a Christian did something like this about atheists, there would be an uproar about bigoted religious nuts. Now that its the atheists its all "free speech!!"
Atheist fundamentalism is seen as some sort of great social movement. It's quite amusing really, especially for someone who looks at things in a structural sense - these factions of atheists with their organisations, military chaplains and so on effectively are religions, just atheistic ones.
i think it's stupid... one of the reasons i avoid calling myself an atheist because you immediately get labelled as one of these intolerant, militant extremists.
It's not really very effective as an advert though is it?
I mean. It will increase tension between christians and atheists and result in the former being more defensive and less likely to become an atheists. And it's also likely to put some atheists off the organisation that put up the billboard.
And it doesn't really matter too much what the story behind the billboard is, and whether or not that was the intention. People will see the billboard and won't respond in a very positive way towards atheism upon seeing it.
I mean. It will increase tension between christians and atheists and result in the former being more defensive and less likely to become an atheists. And it's also likely to put some atheists off the organisation that put up the billboard.
And it doesn't really matter too much what the story behind the billboard is, and whether or not that was the intention. People will see the billboard and won't respond in a very positive way towards atheism upon seeing it.
(edited 12 years ago)
I think it's a great billboard!
If anything it's pointing out the hypicritical nature of America's far-right Christians. Scripture is used to opress parts of society (gays being one), yet is completely ignored when it's deemed too taboo. If they go down the road of only selectively believing the teachings in The Bible, then their arguments become laughable.
Putting this billboard in a predominantly black suburb will remind the community how their ancestors were repressed in the past because of religious dogma, which is now seen as abhorrant by modern society. A bit more compassion for other repressed parts of society should be shown, especially by those repressed not that long ago.
If anything it's pointing out the hypicritical nature of America's far-right Christians. Scripture is used to opress parts of society (gays being one), yet is completely ignored when it's deemed too taboo. If they go down the road of only selectively believing the teachings in The Bible, then their arguments become laughable.
Putting this billboard in a predominantly black suburb will remind the community how their ancestors were repressed in the past because of religious dogma, which is now seen as abhorrant by modern society. A bit more compassion for other repressed parts of society should be shown, especially by those repressed not that long ago.
(edited 12 years ago)
if lawmakers in PA can decide that 2012 is the year of the bible, then people who are affected by that have the right to protest.
it's freedom of speech.
if this was unprovoked then i would think it stupid and unecessary, but they have every right to protest something as serious as the unison of religion and politics.
why do some christians think this particular section of the bible is "wrong and offencive".. but are happy to go around protesting against homosexuality and trying to restrict their rights? i hate how religions pick and choose.
it's freedom of speech.
if this was unprovoked then i would think it stupid and unecessary, but they have every right to protest something as serious as the unison of religion and politics.
why do some christians think this particular section of the bible is "wrong and offencive".. but are happy to go around protesting against homosexuality and trying to restrict their rights? i hate how religions pick and choose.
(edited 12 years ago)
I don't see what that advert will do besides offending blacks in Pennsylvania.
To be honest, it offends me and I'm not black. To use historical injustices for your own political gains is distasteful and transparent.
I'm an atheist but I dislike this kind of thing, it will only increase divisions and reinforce the siege mentality seen in communities across America.
To be honest, it offends me and I'm not black. To use historical injustices for your own political gains is distasteful and transparent.
I'm an atheist but I dislike this kind of thing, it will only increase divisions and reinforce the siege mentality seen in communities across America.
Original post by ohirome
Some religious people seem to think its perfectly fine to very publicly condemn, judge and belittle those who think differently from them, yet when its turn on them its suddenly 'too far'.
When did a persons rights to religious beliefs trump everything else in the world?
When did a persons rights to religious beliefs trump everything else in the world?
That's generalising, there will be decent black americans that are christian that will find that image deeply insulting and offensive, and why not, that is the aim is it not? To mock and offend people?
I'm an atheist btw.
Original post by Bonged.
That's generalising, there will be decent black americans that are christian that will find that image deeply insulting and offensive, and why not, that is the aim is it not? To mock and offend people?
I'm an atheist btw.
I'm an atheist btw.
Then it will hopefully make them look at their religious convictions and think critically about whether their faith is a good thing for them or not.
Original post by FrigidSymphony
Then it will hopefully make them look at their religious convictions and think critically about whether their faith is a good thing for them or not.
Maybe. Maybe because of how it is designed to mock them they will fortify themselves deeper in their faith. If it was done respectfully and with more tact, it would do alot more good. That's just my opinion though. Obviously whoever made the billboard has the RIGHT to show it, just it is counter-productive in my view.
Original post by Bonged.
That's generalising, there will be decent black americans that are christian that will find that image deeply insulting and offensive, and why not, that is the aim is it not? To mock and offend people?
I'm an atheist btw.
I'm an atheist btw.
I don't think it mocks them. Offend, maybe.
I think it's pointing out that their religion has been used to opress people with black skin in the past and reminds them not to use it in a manner which will opress others now or in the future.
It's provocative and gets its point across very well.
Original post by Bonged.
That's generalising, there will be decent black americans that are christian that will find that image deeply insulting and offensive, and why not, that is the aim is it not? To mock and offend people?
I'm an atheist btw.
I'm an atheist btw.
No, I agree with that entirely...I should have clarified a little more. I don't think this is exactly the best way to go about getting their point across, but its also ridiculous to start throwing spears at them when a huge portion of the christian community spend so long saying and doing far worse.
Original post by Bonged.
Maybe. Maybe because of how it is designed to mock them they will fortify themselves deeper in their faith. If it was done respectfully and with more tact, it would do alot more good. That's just my opinion though. Obviously whoever made the billboard has the RIGHT to show it, just it is counter-productive in my view.
Assuming they get permission from the person who owns the billboard they do have the right to hire it and put their message on it. Christians or whoever can protests to the billboard owner to take it down.
From the original article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/13/atheist-slavery-billboard-pennsylvania-raises-tempers_n_1342268.html
"We hope people can see just a little bit of discrimination we get," said Perce, who offended local Muslims last year when he dressed as a "Zombie Muhammad" in a Halloween parade.
"Religious" people do spend a lot of their time being offended : and this is exactly the kind of reaction which is being sought by their opponents, so as to make "religious" people look like intolerant, grumpy fools.
"We hope people can see just a little bit of discrimination we get," said Perce, who offended local Muslims last year when he dressed as a "Zombie Muhammad" in a Halloween parade.
"Religious" people do spend a lot of their time being offended : and this is exactly the kind of reaction which is being sought by their opponents, so as to make "religious" people look like intolerant, grumpy fools.
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