"Friggin atheists ruin everything!"

[Capt. Obvious]

I almost made it through the month of December without a War On Christmas whine at work. Then this morning I was hanging out with two coworkers when one began to rant and rave over "holiday" versus "christmas" and how people aren't allowed to say, "merry christmas" anymore.

The conversation took many turns through the battlefield but mainly centered on this story: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/12/20/christmas-controversy-continues-in-marshfield/
which outraged coworker completely misrepresented to further support his grievance.

He then declared that, "friggin atheists ruin everything," and then concluded that Catholics are the real persecuted people as atheists are trying to wipe them out.

And he didn't disappoint as he wrapped up his rage with some fatwa envy: "It's okay to make fun of Catholics but you can't say anything about the supposed religion of peace (air quotes) where they're cutting off people's heads."

It's hard being the dominant majority in this region.

[trotsky]

1. Yeah, pretty rough not having everyone acknowledge and observe YOUR religion.

Those damn atheists!

[JNelson6563]

2. Cross dragging for baby Jesus!1!!

This behavior always cracks me up.

Julie

[deucemagnet]

3. Translation: "Friggin' atheists call 'bullshit' on our Christian privilege!" n/t

[onager]

4. Minor local skirmishes in the Great War...

Thanks for the report, Capt. Obvious. We may have to promote you to "Commander Grinch..."

I'm in the Deep South for Xmas. Took my Mom out to dinner the other day...and had to walk past a big sign, hanging on the wall behind the front desk of the restaurant: WE SAY "MERRY CHRISTMAS."

Also - the "Daily Special" sheet inserted into the menu had a Bible verse on it. Something uplifting from Isaiah, or one of those croaking gloom-and-doom prophets, IIRC.

At least the food was good - ham with black-eyed peas, fried okra, cole slaw and cornbread. Fortunately, the Bible is silent on abuse of cholesterol. Though I guess I already blew the dietary rules with that ham...*

Weirdly, despite that big sign in front - this restaurant was just about the ONLY place I've been where the cashier didn't say "Merry Xmas." She didn't say anything holiday-related, which was fine with me.

So far, when cashiers say "Merry Xmas," I've responded with a cheery "Happy Holidays." No one has griped about it yet, though I think a few smiles were only given up thru gritted teeth after I said that.

*Weird Dietary Rules Story - I spent some time, a few years ago, running training classes for Egyptian students in Los Angeles. The students pretty quickly found a shortage of restaurants where they could buy food guaranteed halal - i.e., meeting the Muslim dietary rules. So when they wanted to make sure the food met those rules, they bought from a Jewish deli - guaranteed kosher, so virtually the same thing.

[jmowreader]

8. If your story happens again...

Try www.zabihah.com, which is like Yelp for the halal world...but you're right, halal can eat kosher...the other way isn't true, halal can mix meat and milk - halal cheeseburger places exist.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. I have heard about this so-called War on Christmas

for so long now, that I don't even try to be rational with the asswipes that spout this. I just kindly tell them to go to hell. I have engaged them on this issue for years, they have not once listened. They have the exact argument that they had the first time I heard it, as if everything that I have countered with has gone in one ear and out the other (nothing there to stop it). So I am done. They intend to try to demonize atheists, so I might as well give them a good reason for their outrage.

And if you don't like it, you can go to hell too...if there is a hell....which is highly unlikely.....especially since we are all nonbelievers.

[Gelliebeans]

16. !

[onager]

17. Well! With that attitude, we know what YOU'RE getting for Xmas...

[AlbertCat]

6. "It's okay to make fun of Catholics but you can't say anything about.....

Time to repost this.... (There may be time to get him one!)

"The Christmas Crown".....A golden crown of thorns!



Honor the true meaning of Christmas by placing this golden crown on top of or as an ornament on your tree. Crafted from an actual plant grown in the Holy Land using a double-fold process. Includes Christmas poem and certificate of authenticity. 6"Dia.



Wow.... an actual plant! And the "double-fold process"... or more commonly known as twisting one thing around the other.

It's "authentic"!

Put it on the tree????? Forget it! Wear it proudly to school, the city council meeting, or the court house.... anywhere Christianity has been banned!

Can't ya just feel the persecution????

[jmowreader]

11. Isn't that more appropriate for Easter?

Probably doesn't matter anyway, if they could read their Bibles Christmas and Easter would be a week apart.

[AlbertCat]

13. Isn't that more appropriate for Easter?

As a fashion statement, yes.

But it's always acceptable when there's persecution in the air for Christians.... which is anytime!

Just not with white shoes after Labor Day.

[Fumesucker]

7. It's like none of them have ever read Matthew 5:10

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Here we are giving them a free pass to Heaven by persecuting them but do they appreciate our efforts? Noooooo....

[jmowreader]

9. They've read it

Problem is, they actively try to get persecuted.

It's like the red heifer thing. One of the requirements for Jesus to return is the appearance of a red calf without even one non-red hair on it, so there are people attempting to breed one...which doesn't sound like it counts. Weird thing: if Jesus were to return and take all those worthy of heaven with him, very few of his most fervent fans would be among the chosen.

[Fumesucker]

12. I have my own rather umm.. unorthodox view on who is likely to wind up in Heaven and why..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x315038

[Capt. Obvious]

10. Uh oh, my coworker means business now

[AlbertCat]

14. "Friggin atheists ruin everything!"

Hey....wait a minute....


They don't ruin science!

[Warpy]

15. Now that was a perfect time to smile

and wish him a Happy Hannukah.

I would have.

War on Xmas fuckers are so stupid they need their noses rubbed in the fact that theirs isn't the only holiday this time of year.

[Capt. Obvious]

19. Weird you should mention that

angry coworker said during his rant, "If someone wished me a Happy Hannukah, I'd say thank you, I wouldn't be offended!"

Which I know to be a lie - he'd assuredly inform them he wasn't Jewish.

[An Atheist]

18. Today some people at work were upset re: Christmas Tree

I work for an incredibly secular company that has no religious ties whatsoever.

I have been away for a few days on the remaining PTO for this year, and apparently there was a mighty big row over Christmas-theme vs generic holiday themed things. My workplace, while secular in nature, is full of religious nutter-butters and so the company said that generic holiday/winter things could go up (snowflakes, snowmen, etc), but nothing that was specifically christmasy (tree, santa, jesus).

When I walked in this morning there was a HUGE, and I mean HUGE Christmas tree in the lobby, decked out crosses and Jesus and a huge Jesus as the topper. "Jesus is the reason for the season" read a sash that was draped across the front of the tree.

Pretty sure that the manager suffered multiple strokes, complete organ failure, and a massive heart attack when he came in and saw it. Not only is it gaudy. Not only does it go against the clearly laid-out rules sent by corporate last week, but, more importantly, it the size of a frickin truck and takes up half the lobby area.

No one admitted to putting it up. One of the more pious of the bunch said "Perhaps this is a sign from Jesus to remind us the "reason for the season" isn't Santa, or bells, or snowflakes, but the love that God sent upon earth so that we can be cleansed of our sins and be perfect in His eyes."

Yes, she said that in one breath and with a straight face.

So the manager says "Well, I'll just go look at the security tapes to find out who did this, since no one is owning up to it."

He saw the culprit on the tapes. They were having a closed-door discussion with the manager when I left this afternoon. I have a feeling their future with the company is on shaky ground considering the clearly worded email that went out last week about what is and isn't appropriate for decorations. We have many customers who are Christian. We also have many Muslim, Jewish, and Jehovah's Witness customers, and many who have never let their faith be publicly known.

This is an effort to make everyone comfortable when they come to our place of business. A tree covered in Jesuses (Jesi?) and Crosses and Crowns is more appropriate for a church or religious org, not a private secular business.

That was our war on Christmas. I can't wait to read the emails tomorrow!