B.C. atheists deny taking umbrage with public menorah

[TyrianQuill]

A B.C. atheist group says it welcomes a public menorah lighting in Kelowna, if only because it balances out the city's yearly nativity scene.

The Centre for Inquiry Okanagan drew controversy this week after a member was quoted in a local paper taking umbrage with Kelowna's decision to allow the Jewish symbol in a public park.
But Lauren Price, who founded the Centre, insists his group does not officially oppose the lighting.
"We welcome it because it shows a bit of diversity as opposed to just having a nativity scene. It's more representative of a secular society," Price told ctvbc.ca.
"I think you either say no to everyone or you open it up to everyone," he said, adding that local atheists will likely apply to have a secular-humanist symbol erected in the park next year.
Atheist Guy King, who was interviewed by the newspaper, says he made it clear that he was not speaking as a representative of the Centre.
"I was just expressing a few personal reservations about how many religious displays we should be putting up, and whether we should be putting up any," King said.
"At least with the menorah they're paying for, I'm sure, whereas the nativity scene the citizens of Kelowna pay for."
If the city chose not to allow any public religious symbols, churches and synagogues could easily host their displays on public property, King added.
Rabbi Shmuly Hecht, co-director of the Chabad-Lubavitch of the Okanagan, organized the menorah lighting and says he received a "beautiful letter" from local atheists apologizing for the hullabaloo.
"They said it was taken out of context," Hecht said.
Public menorah lightings are held in more than 75 countries, he added, and symbolize "the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, peace and growing every day."

Source: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loca ... lumbiaHome

[cliffy1]

Yes, I would like to see the Sikhs, Muslims, Pagans and Hindus all put up symbols of their faith as they all have holidays about this time.

[5VP]

Is there a specific law denying atheists from erecting their own homage to nothingness??

Other faiths regularly announce celebrations open to all and I've been to a few celebrations so what exactly is their point????


Ex Nihilo...

[TyrianQuill]

Is there a specific law denying atheists from erecting their own homage to nothingness??

Other faiths regularly announce celebrations open to all and I've been to a few celebrations so what exactly is their point????


Ex Nihilo...

 
The answer to that, a lawer specilzing in internet publishing would be better able to give you a good answer, but in my opinion, no I do not think there is a law within Canada regarding that issues for a homepage. CRTC would also be able to give a informed answer that also.

[grammafreddy]

Is there a specific law denying atheists from erecting their own homage to nothingness??

Other faiths regularly announce celebrations open to all and I've been to a few celebrations so what exactly is their point????


Ex Nihilo...

 
The answer to that, a lawer specilzing in internet publishing would be better able to give you a good answer, but in my opinion, no I do not think there is a law within Canada regarding that issues for a homepage. CRTC would also be able to give a informed answer that also.

I'm confused. I thought this thread was about public celebration/holiday displays not websites on the Internet.

[TyrianQuill]

I'm confused. I thought this thread was about public celebration/holiday displays not websites on the Internet.

 
Good point "grammafreddy", thank you.

[steven lloyd]

I'm confused. I thought this thread was about public celebration/holiday displays not websites on the Internet.

Good point "grammafreddy", thank you.

But if we were talking about websites then I think atheists should be allowed to have them too.
After all, porn stars have websites and they’re just as Godless.

[Queen K]

At this point it is important to remember that B.C. Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier. If Canada is for everyone, and everyone includes those with religion, then stalemate.

[grammafreddy]

At this point it is important to remember that B.C. Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier. If Canada is for everyone, and everyone includes those with religion, then stalemate.

I see ... and if "everyone" includes religious folks as well as atheists, then everyone should take that long walk off the short pier, right?

Kinda like ... how stupid can we all get, eh?

I don't have any problem whatsoever with anyone who wants any kind of public display for their holiday times or their events - at any time of year. That includes the pagans who might want to celebrate every solstice. It really doesn't matter who or what to me. As part of "the public" realm, it should all equalize. If it's not something I support personally, then I have the option to not attend or to look the other way. If there's a cost attached to it (policing, clean-up, etc) then it should not be public funds that pay for that.

[steven lloyd]

At this point it is important to remember that B.C. Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier. If Canada is for everyone, and everyone includes those with religion, then stalemate.

I see ... and if "everyone" includes religious folks as well as atheists, then everyone should take that long walk off the short pier, right?

Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier.

It's complicated.

[Nebula]

After all, porn stars have websites and they’re just as Godless.

Apparently you never saw the one where Buffy Periwinkle yelled out, "Jesus! Jesus! Oh god! Oh god!"

[steven lloyd]

I stand corrected ( although "God" should be capitalized ).

[grammafreddy]

At this point it is important to remember that B.C. Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier. If Canada is for everyone, and everyone includes those with religion, then stalemate.

I see ... and if "everyone" includes religious folks as well as atheists, then everyone should take that long walk off the short pier, right?

Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier.

It's complicated.

hahahaha .... thanks, SL ... I completely missed that switch from the usual wording. That'll teach me, eh?

[cliffy1]

OMG! Atheists are organizing. Everybody run for the hills! Next thing you know they will be requesting tax free status and worshiping holes in the wall (how else to you symbolize the great void?). Seriously folks, I think it is funny.

If the religious stopped laying their guilt trips on everybody else, atheists wouldn't feel a need to organize to protect themselves. Faith should be a personal matter between a person and their creator. If the religious want a public display they should foot the bill themselves a stop asking for politicians to finance them.

[Queen K]

At this point it is important to remember that B.C. Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier. If Canada is for everyone, and everyone includes those with religion, then stalemate.

I see ... and if "everyone" includes religious folks as well as atheists, then everyone should take that long walk off the short pier, right?

Atheists really do deserve to take a short hike on a long pier.

It's complicated.

hahahaha .... thanks, SL ... I completely missed that switch from the usual wording. That'll teach me, eh?

Ha ha, it only teaches that really we only see what we know, or read what we know is right regardless of the circumstances. Which is exactly how religious and atheist discussions go.

Good catch SL.