Baptist Church sign: "Honk if you're not afraid to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

[Bluebear]

:crazy:



The large bright banner in front of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro and the countless smaller signs that now line nearby streets are all part of a growing national debate over keeping Jesus Christ in Christmas.

The banner that greeted dozens of parishioners and others as they drove past the church Sunday encouraged people to "Honk if You’re Not Ashamed To Say Merry Christmas". The smaller Christmas signs nearby feature "Christ" printed in large red letters.

Pastor Dean Haun said he created the signs because he’s upset over what he says is an intentional desire among some people to completely secularize America.

"I don't mind saying Happy Hanukkah, or any of the other holiday traditions," Haun says. "But when we come to the place in our society when we can't say Merry Christmas without offending someone, I think we've crossed the line."

Haun said he sold 500 hundred signs last Sunday and he is having a hard time keeping up with demand.

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=73449

[Straight Shooter]

1. I'm also not afraid to say "F*ck you" to ignorant preachers.

Grrr. Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they do. Or maybe they do know, but they do it anyway. :silly:

[Maddy McCall]

2. "sold 500 signs"

sounds like he's got quite a little money-making venture going.

What Would Jesus Do? I doubt he'd approve of people like the Reverend Haun profiting off of this controversy in his name (even if the money goes in church coffers)--or even using his name to wage a non-existant battle.

[Bluebear]

3. Exactly. How altruistic. nt

[Bouncy Ball]

4. That reminds me.

The other night, the husband, the child and I went to a nice restaurant. Reservations required, French cuisine, all that jazz, right?

Well this group of people were seated near us and were SO freaking loud and obnoxious. They made a toast to "the Christmas season, NOT the HOLIDAY season, the CHRISTMAS SEASON."

Then one of the women said "and screw Hanukkah." Everyone at their table burst into laughter and a man said "and screw all those who celebrate it." Oh they just found that a gut buster, they did.

We were nearly put off our food from all the hatefulness. A server was giving them water when they said all this and he walked away.

Several minutes later, the chef came out. One table must have known he was the chef, because they broke into polite applause as he walked past them. He went straight to the table near us and told them to leave. When they asked why (they were incredulous) he said he wouldn't tolerate "that kind of hatefulness....screw Hanukkah and all those who celebrate it?" They at least had the sense to look embarrassed, a few of them. But one guy got all het up and demanded "what difference does it make to YOU?" and the chef said "*I* celebrate Hanukkah and I want you to LEAVE my restaurant and never come back."

One woman said "well!" but they slowly made moves to get up. After they were gone, my husband said "Good, the Jew haters are gone. Now we can eat in peace."

Amen.

What nasty people. I figure the server must have told the chef what he overheard.

[marions ghost]

6. what a story...?!

clearly shows the agenda behind the 'take back Christmas' BS --just an excuse to foment hate and division. Good for the chef.

[Bouncy Ball]

7. We wanted to applaud him, but the situation was tense enough.

It was AWESOME. And the food was amazing, btw. LOL.

[Bluebear]

12. Bouncy, awesome story

I would give anything to see the looks on their faces.

[Crunchy Frog]

5. I like how the bastards are turning the phrase "Merry Christmas"

into a synonym for "fuck you, secular bastard". It makes me never want to say the phrase again, and I've always loved Christmas.

[Bouncy Ball]

8. Me, too, isn't that sad?

In my UU church this morning, the minister said "Merry Christmas" to the congregation and a few people responded "Happy Holidays!" and everyone laughed and agreed. Very liberal church.

[Bluebear]

9. I feel the same way.

They have made it very cleaar that only THEIR ilk are entitled to the holiday. I have always loved Christmas too, but evidently 'Merry Christmas' is being forever being claimed as a right wing battle cry. I hope they're happy.

[NYC Liberal]

10. Nobody is "afraid" to say Merry Christmas

I say Merry Christmas to people I know celebrate Christmas, Happy Hanukkah to people who celebrate Hanukkah, and if I'm not sure I just say Happy Holidays.

[LiberalAndProud]

11. Send this to Pastor Dean Haun

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5630399&mesg_id=5630399