Wednesday, November 12, 2008

"Just be good!

"...for goodness sake."

So goes a new ad campaign by the American Humanist Association in Washington next week. They're apparently spending about $40,000 on the whole campaign according to CNN.

Of course, it's being touted as another attack against Christmas. Note to those who call themselves Christians: We humanists don't give a rat's behind about your holiday. We don't care if you want to shout "Merry Christmas" to the four winds and greet everyone you see from now 'till January by imploring them to enjoy your holiday. We'd just like a little leeway to say "Happy Holidays" or the like without you folks going on a boulder-throwing, torch and pitchfork frenzy.

Last year it was "Jesus is the reason for the season." This year, apparently the American Family Association has come up with the ever-creative slogan, "It's OK to say Merry Christmas." Ok, so Dobson might not be all that creative, but he nailed it on this one. At least this year, they have a true slogan.

See, with last year's slogan, they got some facts mixed up. I've heard many different dates spouted as Jesus' birthday, from July to April, but pretty much everyone agrees the boy wasn't born on December 25th. So while y'all might be celebrating his birth that day, he wasn't really the original reason for the season. In fact, most of the symbols associated with Christmas nowadays are adapted from old Pagan symbols. The reason for the season is just that...the season. Yule is the 21st, on the solstice, signifying change from winter back towards spring. It's the longest night of the year, and from that point on, light begins to creep back into the world 2 minutes at a time.

But you know what? It IS ok to say Merry Christmas. By all means! In general, we humanists have no real desire to squash your holiday out of existence. If you want to get together and celebrate Jesus' birth, go right ahead. If you want to celebrate Kwanzaa, go ahead. Whatever works for you. However, the more you keep shoving Jesus down our throats, the less remorse we'll feel about putting up signs that say "There is no god, just be good for goodness sake."

-Peace

Monday, November 10, 2008

232 years young



To my brothers and sisters -

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

How petty do things have to get?

Okay, this campaign season has officially stooped to an all-time low:




Words fail. I suppose it's heartening to see the campaign being pushed to those on the same intellectual level as the campaigner...