Florida Christians protest atheist billboard

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Nah, some you are pretty cool ("There are bound to be good people in a country of 300 million" as my father says) just as there are plenty of jackasses here in Sweden. I just find American society to be undesireable for a multitude of reasons, just as I wouldn't like to live in China, even though I have a few Chinese online friends. Well, Europe's not exactly a paradise either, but it's the best place there is right now.

An atheist billboard in Florida has resulted in community protests and a call for the sign to be banned, but wait until you see what’s on (or as is the case isn’t on) the sign.

Unlike campaigns in Europe which included the slogan “there probably isn’t a god,” the Florida campaign says “Being a good person doesn’t require God. Don’t believe in God, you’re not alone.” According to the Christians in the area, saying that non-believers can be good people discriminates against Christians.

Here’s where it gets even weirder: the residents object because (and I’m not making this up) African-Americans live in the area, and a shop owned by a born again Christian is nearby.

Local media reported that Team of Life community activist Essie “Big Mama” Reed brought her students out to protest it Wednesday afternoon.

“Nothing else matters, but that sign needs to come down. In the name of Jesus,” Big Mama chanted, as she led her students in protest.

She said the sign affects something much deeper than business. “I don’t know the reason for putting this sign up,” said Big Mama. “It says ‘Do not believe in God.’ How are we going to make it? Look at our schools, everyday. Everyday there’s something going on. Kids are out here killing each other, kids are here using drugs. Who else are they going to believe in?”

The atheist group behind the sign rightly pointed out the hypocrisy in the protestors, saying that they would like the community to show them the same tolerance they fought for during the civil rights era. “The women and blacks in this neighborhood, they’ve been discriminated before, in the recent past, as early as 30, 40 years ago,” a spokesman said “and yet, they have no problem discriminating against another group, whether it be gays or atheists.”

Atheists = your new African Americans.

Americans have their own peculiar problems. Getting them to respond to danger is like herding squirrels. It is not easy to do. On the other hand we do not have the accumulated rot of Europe (most characterized by the French, who are a disgusting lot). The European who best understood America was Alexis de Toqueville who wrote a book on the subject. I discovered the best way to deal with my countrymen is not to expect too much from them. That way I am almost never disappointed and I am sometimes pleasantly surprised.

We are a silly nation, but we have enough sense to have saved Europe twice from destruction, brought about by its own corruption and mendacity. Basically, Americans are more honest and less cynical than Europeans.

ruveyn

i just want to be able to be honest, work hard, and enjoy life.

Amen! I prefer virtue to love.

ruveyn

Torquemada had the identical aspiration.

Right. Not like you who salivates over the prospect of nuclear bombing all Moslem nations.

All those mothers sitting at home caring for their children in Hiroshima when the bomb dropped probably would be mystified over your concept of good manners.

All those mothers sitting at home caring for their children in Hiroshima when the bomb dropped probably would be mystified over your concept of good manners.