Atheists offended by teddy bears...

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


Whatever happened to your tolerance, MrFun? I hope it's not just a one-way street.

I haven't changed -- at least not significantly.

I have always tried to respect other people's dignity and freedom of expression -- I still do.


My intolerance is towards those who refuse to respect other people's beliefs, or freedom of personal expression.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by orange
does everyone keep missing the concept of PUBLIC vs. private land?

Let me give a short laundry list of what I see as appropriate expression of religion in public places, and what are not appropriate to help you see the light:


appropriate:

1) wearing religiously-oriented accessories or clothing in public places -- even public schools

2) carrying a Bible, Torah or what have you around with you, in full view of other people -- even in public schools

3) attempting to organize a religious-affiliated organization/club at a public school


not appropriate:

1) faculty/staff displaying Ten Commandments, or any other religious symbol(s) in the halls or rooms of public schools

2) faculty/staff mandating religious prayer in public schools



Note -- the ones I see as being appropriate expressions, are examples of PERSONAL expressions of one's beliefs, that is not part of any government sanctioning of any one religion.

The ones I see as not being appropriate, are examples of staff working in a government-supported institution violating the anti-establishment clause.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Why is it conservatives never get the difference between wanting to be protected from yourself and wanting to be protected from someone else.

As I have made abundently clear, I am afraid of others, who take their eyes off the road and cause accidents. I have a right not to be squished by these people. They don't have a right to squish me. Anything which makes it easier for them to be distracted, and thus run into me, is therefore, bad.

Oh come on, Che. Your argument about the public land has some credibility, but this is just rubbish.

If roadside memorials are distracting, then so are billboards, and buildings, and other cars, and pretty girls, and the sun, and moon, and everything else. This argument is just ridiculous. Is a small wreath and cross more distracting than a giant beer can on a billboard that changes to a McDonalds add every few seconds?

I'm sure more accidents occur from men checking out a woman in the next car, or walking down the street than ever occur because of roadside memorials. In fact I'm sure its a big problem. Lets save lives by making all women wear head to toe clothing. Nothing more than their eyes should be exposed, that would solve all these distracted drivers.

We need to protect people from reckless, distracted drivers after all.

[OzzyKP]

I agree totally MrFun.

[orange]

Originally posted by MrFun
Let me give a short laundry list...

appropriate:

1) wearing religiously-oriented accessories or clothing in public places -- even public schools

2) carrying a Bible, Torah or what have you around with you, in full view of other people -- even in public schools

Your person is not public property

3) attempting to organize a religious-affiliated organization/club at a public school

So long as all independently organized groups are accepted, I agree.

1) faculty/staff displaying Ten Commandments, or any other religious symbol(s) in the halls or rooms of public schools

Note that this is physically ON the property

2) faculty/staff mandating religious prayer in public schools

Obviously...

Note -- the ones I see as being appropriate expressions, are examples of PERSONAL expressions of one's beliefs, that is not part of any government sanctioning of any one religion.

Exactly, personal. That is why those things are on their person

If people can legally put memorials on the roadside, than anything else should be legal, including a burning cross or a statue of Buddha. You can have it all ways or no way, take your pick.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by orange


Exactly, personal. That is why those things are on their person

If people can legally put memorials on the roadside, than anything else should be legal, including a burning cross or a statue of Buddha. You can have it all ways or no way, take your pick.

I don't see any government sanctioning of an official religion when INDIVIDUALS set up PERSONAL memorials along road sides.

[chequita guevara]

If people can put up roadside memorials, then I should be able to put up signs extolling the virtues of communism or promoting my web business or telling jokes or just some cool art. The fact that this is public property doesn't mean that I can't just do what I want with it, anymore than I could put things up in a park, a goernment building, a national forest, on top the Washington Monument, etc.

Just because someone died on that spot doesn't mean you get to break the rules. Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you get to break the rules.

[DinoDoc]

That's a less assanine arguement.

[Theben]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
That's a less assanine arguement.

Maybe he's not trolling (as much)?

btw, I must say I'm offended by St. Leo's handle. I wasn't before, but suddenly I am filled with bile just looking at it.

[orange]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I suppose wierd people tend to group together.

What's that quote from The Battle of Algiers?

"Why is it that the leftists are always for the other guy"

[orange]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
That's a less assanine arguement.

Is that your way of admitting defeat?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by orange
Is that your way of admitting defeat?

It's my way of saying that he is no longer making a really stupid arguement (ie still talking about highway safety).

[orange]

I honestly don't think he was serious about roadside monuments being distractions...I also find that to be an assanine assertion.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
If people can put up roadside memorials, then I should be able to put up signs extolling the virtues of communism or promoting my web business or telling jokes or just some cool art. The fact that this is public property doesn't mean that I can't just do what I want with it, anymore than I could put things up in a park, a goernment building, a national forest, on top the Washington Monument, etc.

Just because someone died on that spot doesn't mean you get to break the rules. Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you get to break the rules.

Hey -- this actually makes half-sense. But I still disagree.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by orange
I honestly don't think he was serious about roadside monuments being distractions...I also find that to be an assanine assertion.

He was serious.