The sign was a statement of belief about religions in general, based on past experience and known behaviour.

LOL…I really am trying to find common ground here, Synnen. I do see that, I've acknowledged that, so let me again be more specific. While I have the right and exercise that right to criticize Planned Parenthood, I don't apply to post it on government property out of spite. I may call Harry Reid an idiot but I'm not going to seek to post a display at the Capital. I detest Fred Phelps and call him what he is, but I'm not going to seek permission to put it on a sign at the Kansas governor's office. I might consider atheists fools, but I would never intentionally attack them as they did us. And – as stated early on in this discussion – either they lied or this was not about “a statement of belief about religions in general, based on past experience and known behaviour.” Their stated reason for the display was they just wanted “a place at the table.” So yeah, the attack was indeed just for the hell of it.

Damn Christians!!

SCIENTISTS have warned that Christmas lights are bad for the planet due to huge electricity waste and urged people to get energy efficient festive bulbs.

CSIRO researchers said householders should know that each bulb turned on in the name of Christmas will increase emissions of greenhouse gases.

Scientists warn Christmas lights harm the planet | The Courier-Mail (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24839835-23272,00.html)

I guess it's a good thing I've only put out a small fiber optic tree the last two years then, huh? Just doing my part for the environment (or taking the easy way out).

(I) have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round--apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that--as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.
('A Christmas Carol 'Charles D*ckens)... note administration... you got to work on this automatic editing program . I shouldn't have to alter this authors name

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

In addition, please also accept our best wishes for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make this country great (not to imply that this country is necessarily greater than any other country or area of choice), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual orientation of the wishers.

This wish is limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first. "Holiday" is not intended to, nor shall it be considered, limited to the usual Judeo-Christian celebrations or observances, or to such activities of any organized or ad hoc religious community, group, individual or belief (or lack thereof).

Note: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all. This greeting is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. This greeting implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for the wisher her/himself or others, or responsibility for the consequences which may arise from the implementation or non- implementation of it.

This greeting is void where prohibited by law.
(HT I'm Gina Smith: Non-offensive Christmas greetings. (from the woz list.) (http://ginasmith.typepad.com/gina_on_gina/2008/12/nonoffensive-christmas-greetings-from-the-woz-list.html))

Well tom, that about covers it. I wish everyone that - and world peace. Topic closed.

P.S. I guess you'd have to use his full name, Charles Richardens.

Hello again, tom:

It's not surprising that you missed the thrust of my post...

You poor, poor Christians... I feel very sorry for you. Somebody is making you write the above bunk... But, it's not ME. It's not your GOVERNMENT. It's not the CONSTITUTION. It's simply YOU, and all your Christian brethren feeling persecuted, and want to play the guilt card...

Now, if that ain't funny...

excon

Ex, I don't know who actually wrote that but it could have been anyone, not necessarily a Christian. I'd put that more in the category of satire than feeling persecuted and wanting to play the guilt card. Sometimes you guys act as if we don't have a sense of humor.

It's the Italian in me.

ITALIAN-AMERICANS STILL FAIR GAME FOR CHEAP LAUGHS - New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/12212008/sports/moresports/italian_americans_still_fair_game_for_ch_145263.ht m?page=0)

Hello again, Steve:

I got it. I understand satire. It only works if there is SOME relationship to the truth.

The TRUTH in the letter is that you poor poor Christians can't put your stuff in the public square WITHOUT problems. I guess you think that you should be able to, because you are the dominant religion.

Because you CAN'T do that, you take the guilt route... The above satire is based upon ALL the things you CAN'T do in the public square... But, you make it sound like you are prevented from doing those things in your private life AWAY from the public square...

Of course, nobody is preventing you from your religion and your celebrations... If you think WE are, (and the satire indicates you DO), then you're not going get any sympathy from me... Cause you're making up the whole thing.

excon

Ex, that was a comment on political correctness, not rights. And there is certainly truth in it.

Let me just add a Happy Merry Christmakwanzafestika to all.

On this Christmas Eve, I would like to wish my fellow posters a Merry Christmas. I hope everyone has a Christmas filled with the love of family and friends and safe passage in your travels.

To the Christian posters in particular, I hope you find joy in the celebration of your Lord and Savior's birth.

Merry Christmas

Right back at you, TexasParent, and thanks for standing tall in this discussion.