Atheists dub Jesus a 'myth' on Times Square billboard
Video at Fox News.... an atheist group has a message for the masses teeming into Times Square: Jesus is a myth.
With a picture of Santa Claus above another image of Jesus Christ, the sign, sponsored by New Jersey-based American Atheists, urges passersby to "Keep the Merry!" and "Dump the Myth!" Attacks on Christianity from the group have become routine, and in the bustling heart of America's busiest city, most folks don't even waste a shrug on the sign. But some took notice, and did not approve.
“It’s a damn shame. It’s an insult,” said Anthony White, 41, a of Jersey City, N.J. said. “Why did they have to put that up?”
David Silverman, president of American Atheists, had an answer, though not one likely to please the faithful...
Atheism won't win hearts and minds this way. We need to go the Alain de Botton route, and build a movement that offers a compelling alternative to religion. We need to offer a positive alternative community, not merely shoot down religious beliefs.
File under: keep the merry, dump the advertising strategy.
Can you think of anything more ironic than "Brights" implying that Santa and his reindeer are not mythological, while Jesus of Nazareth being crucified, which is as historically verifiable as anything from that era, is labelled mythological?
ReplyDeleteIt's sad, really. Good thing it was only 25 thousand dollars wasted.
They are different myths, with obviously different consequences. But the point of discussion is the myth that atheists can win hearts and minds by offending Christians. That indeed is not a "Bright" strategy.
ReplyDelete