The Christmas Billboard Controversy & The Comback
About a month ago, I was made aware of the American Atheists' attempt to stifle the true meaning of Christmas. What do I mean by that? Take a look:
This billboard is being displayed in New York City by the Lincoln Tunnel on the New Jersey side! Don't get me started, but I do find that a bit offensive; I realize that the billboard is on New Jersey's side, but just the fact that it's even by the New Jersey entrance to New York is maddening. I LIVE in New York (albeit Upstate), and I can tell you first hand that not everyone agrees with their statement that "it's a myth." And they are basically implying that those of us who believe in Christ's birth (and why He came) are nuts, that we don't use reason: "This Season, Celebrate Reason"! Talk about subtle (or not) indoctrination, not to mention all the people who will be offended by the billboard! (And I am aware that not every atheist agrees with the stance of the American Atheists.) Here's what the New York Times reported:
But, oh how I love the Catholic League's comback:
Kudos to the Catholic League for stepping up to the challenge! Remember, Jesus is the true Reason for the Season!
This billboard is being displayed in New York City by the Lincoln Tunnel on the New Jersey side! Don't get me started, but I do find that a bit offensive; I realize that the billboard is on New Jersey's side, but just the fact that it's even by the New Jersey entrance to New York is maddening. I LIVE in New York (albeit Upstate), and I can tell you first hand that not everyone agrees with their statement that "it's a myth." And they are basically implying that those of us who believe in Christ's birth (and why He came) are nuts, that we don't use reason: "This Season, Celebrate Reason"! Talk about subtle (or not) indoctrination, not to mention all the people who will be offended by the billboard! (And I am aware that not every atheist agrees with the stance of the American Atheists.) Here's what the New York Times reported:
David Silverman, the president of American Atheists and the man behind the billboard, said it would remain in place at least until the winter solstice on Dec. 21 and possibly through Christmas. He said the billboard was partly inspired by one that American Atheists’ founder, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, set up in Dallas in the 1970s proclaiming “Atheism: It’s not what you believe.”
Mr. Silverman said the billboard served two purposes. The first was to get the many people who do not actually believe in God but practice religious rituals to “come out,” in his words.
He said the billboard’s location was especially effective because commuters “drive by this sign very slowly every day for a month, right in the Christmas season.”
“And when they go into New York to go shopping,” he said, “they’re going to see it.”
This was posted on the New York side. The Catholic League reported:
Catholic League president Bill Donohue explains why the Catholic League decided to erect a pro-Christmas billboard in New York City:
On the New Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel, American Atheists has a billboard with an illustration of a nativity scene that reads, "You Know It's a Myth: This Season Celebrate Reason." It was erected over the weekend.
The Catholic League now has a billboard on the New York side of the Lincoln Tunnel with a picture of a nativity scene that reads, "You Know It’s Real: This Season Celebrate Jesus." Our billboard also says, "Merry Christmas from the Catholic League." It is 26' x 24' and is located at Dyer Avenue and 31st Street.
We decided to counterpunch after a donor came forward seeking to challenge the anti-Christmas statement by American Atheists. Our approach is positive, and services the common good. Theirs is negative, and is designed to sow division. It's what they do.
So after Christian motorists have had their sensibilities assaulted as they exit New Jersey, they will experience a sense of joy, and satisfaction, as they enter New York City. It's what we do.
Kudos to the Catholic League for stepping up to the challenge! Remember, Jesus is the true Reason for the Season!
Hat Tip: National Review Online
This is something Christians often assert, but which lacks any historical backing. When looking at the birth of Christ, we, or rather Christians, get their Christmas traditions from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Luke places Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem during a Roman Census which was overseen by the governor Quirinius (Luke 2:2). Rome kept very good records, and this governor performed a census of Judea aat 6 AD, when Rome took control of Judea and added it to their Syrian providence. Matthew mentions that Herod the Great attempted to kill Jesus as a child, and Herod the Great died in 4 BC. The census wouldn't have happened during the reign of Herod the Great because at that time Israel was an independent nation, it didn't lose that status until 6 AD when Rome took over and had a census carried out.
ReplyDeleteMatthew is saying that Jesus was born on or before 4 BC, and Luke is saying on or after 6 AD. Sure there are Christian responses to this contradiction, but there are atheist rebuttals. If you dig enough into it, I'm sure any logical person can see that this contradiction cannot be solved without ignoring the history of that time. Speaking of the Catholic Church, it might be interesting to note that their stance on this issue was that Luke was mistaken in chapter 2 verse 2 with his remarks on the census. The bottom line here is that there are a lot of questions surrounding this story, its far from a historical truth, I don't care what your pastor or priest says.
The Gospels cannot even agree on when Jesus was born, December 25th was a pagan holiday that Christians hijacked and used as the birthday of their savior, and millions of Americans couldn't be any wiser of these facts. Of course you can celebrate whatever you want whenever you want, but it is odd that these facts are kept from most people. You don't hear about it from your local church... Seems deceptive to me.
Isn't it funny though how the American Atheists actually did Christ an unintentional favor? "Celebrate Reason!" Strikes me funny, cuz if anyone will really celebrate REASON, they will not just ACCEPT that "it's a myth" but INVESTIGATE! And boy, there's an awful lot of evidence that "it" really did happen!
ReplyDeleteSo though the Atheists are subtlely calling Christians dummies, they are also "accidentally" proclaiming the name of Christ. Maybe this is what Paul talks about in Philippians 1, how though some hope to afflict Christians, they unwittingly preach Christ! Strikes me a little funny, though I wouldn't support the American Atheists for any reason.
Folks also gotta think about how odd it is indeed, that even though this Jesus "never existed" people everywhere in every culture directly or indirectly celebrate His birth on a specific day!
You are so right, Alice! I think about that Philippians Scripture often when non-believers attack Christianity. I would also add that if Jesus "never existed," why are we attacking Him? Why do people put so much effort into disproving His existence if He never existed -- according to them -- in the first place? They say it's because so many atheists are "coming out of the closet," but it seems that the billboard is telling them "what" to think, as opposed to encouraging them to proclaim their atheism. I really do hope and pray that this will indeed cause people to investigate the evidence for Christ!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting; your thoughts are always appreciated!
I just started following your blog. I appreciate your great posts.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading more!
God is as real as it gets. And everything in the Four Gospels of the New Testament is pure truth. It's all true. I have had several powerful moments with God to know this. Everything we know about Jesus Christ is fact. 110,000% true. Not everyone gets the 'big moment with God', that's why faith in God is called just that - faith.
ReplyDelete-----But those of us who have had that big moment with God, we know for sure. Pauls big moment with God was on Damascus Road, and Jesus let him know who was boss. An educated Roman citizen was on his way to kill Christians, and God Almighty stopped him in his tracks, and he instantly became a believer in Jesus. He went on to preach all over the world, and had a powerful faith in Jesus as the saviour, and wrote half of the New Testament.
Keep in mind, Paul already know God, he was a Jewish believer, and highly educated. Jesus called him to become one of His followers.
-----The athiest want us to come into their world of deception. A Godless life built on humanism. Believe in yourself. And nothing in this world will make the devil happier.
-----We as Christians need to be vigilant, because it seems to me the athiest are on the march. They are writing books, starting websites, going on talk shows, and actually paying out large amounts of money to further thier cause. I was in advertising for marketing for some time, with a big firm. I bought T.V., radio, print, and billboards. It's very expensive. But I know the whole game overall. And I think the athiests came to play. They will lose in the end as you know, and they are in a losing position now. But the Good News is always there for them. And know this, many atheists have come to know God, and His son Jesus Christ, and know are powerful witnesses for he Gospel. Let's pray that will happen.