Replying to a message of PETER COGGON to BOB ACKLEY:

 BA>> During the past Christmas season an atheist group was allowed to put
 BA>> up a large sign saying basically that there was no God, that the
 BA>> Christian story of Christmas is a myth and that the celebration was
 BA>> co-opted by Christians from the pagan mid-winter festival (which it
 BA>> was).  The sign was placed next to a manger scene and a Jewish
 BA>> menorah.

 PC>  For some reason Bob ... I think I saw either this one or another and
 PC> at the Christmas Season, and they were switching names to less
 PC> offensive as the "Holiday Season" and others, and I thought how
 PC> ....well I shall omit the words.

 PC> In Rome do as Romans do .... echoed...and I thought..if they whomever
 PC> come here, they will have to accept things they find
 PC> offensive...sorry but in their country, well those coming there have
 PC> to accept it all and thats it...only here it seems, we bend over
 PC> backwards to appease these minorities.

 PC> In one Arab country, to celebrate Christmas, one has to arrange for  a
 PC> most remote place to be secured to enjoy one's religious believe
 PC> which is Christmas.

 BA>> The Christian right wing went absolutely ballistic over the sign -
 BA>> and some good, God-fearing Christian stole it.  -!- FleetStreet
 BA>> 1.19+  ! Origin: Bob's Boneyard, Emerson, Iowa (1:300/3)

 PC> Well I would too, and it isn't religious.   I have no problems with
 PC> any faith celebrating, but please don't imped my believes.

Except that atheism is a belief just as theism - in all its flavors - is.
If memory serves the displays were in a shopping mall, which is *private*
property.  Christianity does have its rules about stealing things, does it not?

 PC> Can not even call it a Christnas tree anymore...but a "Holiday
Tree"
 PC> and it has gone far enough.    I am not going to worry about it being
 PC> found.   If a God-fearing Christian stole it or not...I am glad
 PC> someone did something.   OK illegal..theft..whatever.

Had I been the mall owner or manager those religious displays would have
been gone the same day.  You folks just don't respect *other* people's
beliefs, especially when they are diametrically opposed to your own.

--- FleetStreet 1.19+