OLYMPIA, Wash. -- An atheistic sign is included in the state Capitol's holiday display that includes a holiday tree and a Christian nativity scene.Isn't that sweet?
The sign, a new addition this year, is sponsored by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The sign reads, "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
Annie Laurie Gaylor, foundation co-president, said in a prepared statement that the sign is a reminder of the "real reason for the season, the winter solstice." The solstice, on Dec. 21 this year, is the shortest day of the year.
This isn't the same group that did the bus signage in DC. That would be the American Humanist Association. They, at least, made a pretense of saying that they were doing the signs on the buses in order to market to "like minded individuals who feel left out during the holidays." Yes, they did that by taking a swipe at Christians with there "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake" message. However, that strikes me as smarmy rather than mean spirited. This signage, in Olympia, is decidedly mean spirited.
The problem with both instances is the same. Both efforts are pathetic marketing. If you have any desire to be persuasive, in the least, you damage your appeal by actively attacking the competing party.
Of course, I don't believe this is a real attempt at gaining equal time for a message. This is done for the simple reason that they want to be offensive jerks. How do I know that? Well, I'm not a christian because I'm a saint. I'm an offensive jerk and I know an offensive jerk behavior. I know it because I excel at it. I played hockey for 16 years, I have the penalty minutes to prove that I'm an exceptional offensive jerk.
So call this what it is: It's the pathetic, banal response of the pseudo-intellectual narcissist. They are so sure of their intellectual superiority over the masses that they clamor to have the attention and adulation of those they despise. In this desire to stroke their own ego, they lash out like a spoiled child at anything that distracts from their self-anointed elevation from the masses, by the masses. When they see anything that distracts the hated masses from worshiping them they attack it. In this, religion is not an opiate of the masses, as they so quickly call it. It is an inhibitor to the opiate of recognition they seek.
They are foolish, spoiled brats who want to break the things of others because, unlike the members of the competing religions whom are not diminished by the worshiping of other faiths, they are diminished by all who do not worship them. They are driven by pride, because there is no beneficial, philanthropic desire that drives them. They are owned by ego and hubris as they seek to destroy the beliefs of others.
That is why they fail. That is why they are not persuasive. That is why these little cute efforts make them look like the bitter, hateful ones.
I'm sure that someone out there is going to read this and say "See that guy says he's a Christian but that wasn't very loving or accepting. He's a hypocrite." Well, no shit Sherlock. However, check the references. I'm not claiming to be perfect. Christ was. And guess what? He forgives me for the fact that I'm a little pissed. And as for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, I'll add you to my prayer list and I'll send you a Christmas card this year. Mine will look like this:
God ---> The earth ---> Solstice---> Christ
"Sorry, God's still the reason for the season. He made the solstice."
Enjoy.
