The ad on Washington, D.C., buses saying, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake” (11/12, A-9, “Humanists’ ad campaign rankles Christian groups”) will rankle more than just Christian groups.
As the article points out, a recent poll reported 92 percent of Americans believe in God. Why on earth would a bus company want to take a chance on offending so many people for the sake of (in the words of the American Humanist Association spokesman) “agnostics, atheists and other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion?” If an ad on a bus tore at the very heart of any other groups’ holy celebration, it would be condemned.
Historically and theologically, the purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ so Christians have a right to preserve the true meaning of their holiday. The ad on the bus, however, will not only offend Christians but anyone who believes in God.
Carol Williams
Kansas City
Perhaps the commandment really was: "Thou shalt not lie for thine own benefit or the hurt of others". Translations from a language that was dependent on tone for meaning can be difficult.
Posted by: Engineer | November 16, 2008 at 07:58 PM
"...yet we lie to our chidlren about Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Ghouls and Goblins, etc. Thou shalt not lie, excpet for self justified reasons."
and we lie to our children about god, for which there is just as much evidence as there is for the aforementioned Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, etc.
Posted by: cdrr | November 16, 2008 at 11:01 AM
We are a funny society, we celebrate Pagan holidays and rituals, supposedly are to live under the 10 Commandments yet we lie to our chidlren about Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Ghouls and Goblins, etc. Thou shalt not lie, excpet for self justified reasons.
Posted by: NoMoreMrNiceGuy | November 16, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Why would a person of faith be offended by the suggestion of something other than faith? Seems if you have faith nothing else should matter.
Posted by: solomon | November 16, 2008 at 10:04 AM
whispering -
Who cares. It is now the celebration of Christmas.
Posted by: kcstar_is_one_sided | November 16, 2008 at 09:46 AM
It is true, DEc 25th is not truly the brthdate of Christ. We celebrate Christmas in the traditional American flavor. All about how much you get in gifts and how cheated kids are that do not receive the material aspect of the holiday. Credit cards peopole, credit cards. Crank'em up. Make min. wage? No worries, just crank up the credit then complain about W being the reason you can not pay your bills, then ask for a bail out by the rest of us.
Posted by: NoMoreMrNiceGuy | November 16, 2008 at 09:43 AM
December 25 was originally a pagan winter holiday. It was co-opted by organized religion to facilitate the religious conversion of the heathen masses.
People like Carol and "Dan Beyer" are an affront to the "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" and pirates everywhere.
Posted by: whispering_to_kc | November 16, 2008 at 03:30 AM
Why does the financially failing Star continue to offend larger and larger segments of the paying public?
Who knows?!
Posted by: Dan Beyer | November 16, 2008 at 02:32 AM