# Another Example of Atheists Destroying Christian's Rights **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 30, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555 "2012-05-30T16:52:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/101 "2012-05-30T21:08:36Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > You seem to have taken up the assumption that I am trying to play a “gothcha” game. Please believe that I am not. I understood you were asking for information, and I don’t think you’re trying to play a game or “taking a side.” I’m just trying to keep the facts in perspective here. Even if one of the names of Allah meant “heavenly” and another meant “father,” that is different from the phrase “heavenly father,” which has a specific meaning and a specific history. It is very prominent and unique to Christianity. > [@](#): > > Why does it exclude the Jews? No heaven in Judaism? I don’t want to go out of my depth in making statements about Jewish doctrine, but depending on how you look at it, no. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/102 "2012-05-30T21:12:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I understood you were asking for information, and I don’t think you’re trying to play a game or “taking a side.” I’m just trying to keep the facts in perspective here. Even if one of the names of Allah meant “heavenly” and another meant “father,” that is different from the phrase “heavenly father,” which has a specific meaning and a specific history. It is very prominent and unique to Christianity. > I don’t want to go out of my depth in making statements about Jewish doctrine, but depending on how you look at it, no. Thanks. I’m still having problems figuring out “tone of voice” in textual enviornments. Sorry. I thought I detected frustration in your previous post (#81). ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/103 "2012-05-30T21:13:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > [As disgusting as sending death threats to a high school junior?](http://cranston.patch.com/articles/ahlquist-family-told-to-get-out-of-ri-in-threatening-letter) Holy Crow! People, forget **GEEPERS** ’ wallowing in the self-pity of the persecuted elite. THIS is the real story. Christians making terroristic threats. Imagine that. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/104 "2012-05-30T21:13:31Z")
I recently got into a discussion with an acquaintence who thinks religion should be taught in public schools. I asked him if it was ok if his kid’s teachers were Buddist, or Mormon, or Jehovah Witnesses. He said “Of course not! Only Chrisitanity should be taught!” He fell back on the ole Southern tried and true response of “This is a Christian nation!” He just kind of stammered when I asked him if I have to leave because I’m not Christian. Christians in the Deep South have had it their way for so long it drives them crazy that “them Godless heathens” are actually fighting back. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/105 "2012-05-30T21:15:09Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > Holy Crow! People, forget **GEEPERS** ’ wallowing in the self-pity of the persecuted elite. THIS is the real story. > > Christians making terroristic threats. Imagine that. How do you know the person making the threat is a Christian? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/106 "2012-05-30T21:18:02Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > How do you know the person making the threat is a Christian? How do you know the wind’s name is Mariah? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/107 "2012-05-30T21:18:57Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > How do you know the person making the threat is a Christian? You’ll know they are Christians by their love. :rolleyes: Who else would be pissed off by the removal of the banner? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/108 "2012-05-30T21:22:44Z")
I love it. “Our Heavenly Father”, which totally isn’t a Christian phrase, is removed. This is a direct assault on Christians. And the people who are upset about it? How on Earth would we know that they’re Christians??? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/109 "2012-05-30T21:23:07Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Who else would be pissed off by the removal of the banner? Other atheists who are jealous of all the attention she’s getting. Yeah, that’s the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/110 "2012-05-30T21:23:12Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > How do you know the person making the threat is a Christian? The author referred to him or herself as a crusader. I’m sure you know who _they_ were. This is particularly ironic in Rhode Island, which as the Times noted was founded by an openminded Christian. But like I said earlier, the worst part is that a young person who exercised her right to use the court system to challenge something she thought was unconstitutional (and a court agreed) is being threatened with violence by people who claim she’s “persecuting” them. And you seem to agree that she is persecuting them. Are you sure about that? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/111 "2012-05-30T21:29:28Z")
We are sliding down the slippery slope of atheistic oppression into the bowels of freedom from religion, culminating in an indescribably foul Satanic fart. And I feel fine. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/112 "2012-05-30T21:33:36Z")
GEEPERS, I don’t agree with you at all when it comes to your great debate arguments, but at least you make me laugh. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/113 "2012-05-30T21:37:18Z")
I am a Christian. I go to church every Sunday, and I actively participate in my church’s ministries. And, speaking as a Christian, I think that banner is deeply offensive, and the attitudes behind it represent a great threat to Christianity. God gave us free will, and wants us to use it. It is no credit to a person to be a Christian because that’s mandated by the local government: People have to _choose_ to be Christian. And people can’t meaningfully make that choice unless they can also make the opposite choice. The actions of this young lady place her closer to what a Christian should be, than all of the people who call themselves Christians who are condemning her. I applaud her. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/114 "2012-05-30T21:51:35Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The actions of this young lady place her closer to what a Christian should be, than all of the people who call themselves Christians who are condemning her. I applaud her. If she were my daughter, I’d be prouder than shit. Hell, I’d be so insufferably pleased with myself that the atheists and the Christians would band together to _turn me_ into Purina Lion Chow. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/115 "2012-05-30T22:41:30Z")
The religious symbols at the cemeteries are analogous to person, religious symbols that anyone can wear to school. Put a cross or a Star of David or whatever around your neck, and the government isn’t going to stop you (subject to certain constraints that would equally apply to secular symbols, such as a cross that was 2’ long or something). And **GEEPERS** , you’ve been asked over and over what rights were being destroyed, and you haven’t answered. And you haven’t substantiated your claim that tax dollars are being used to teach that there is no God. This is GD. We need you to defend your thesis and your follow-on remarks. ---
**Author:** ![Rhaegar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Rhaegar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhaegar)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/116 "2012-05-30T22:44:26Z")
I am a Christian, but it is hard to argue with removing the banner from a public tax payer funded school. I find it annoying, but the decision was probably the right one. Of course you have the right to send your children to a private Christian school, which is what I have chosen to do. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/117 "2012-05-30T22:46:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > The religious symbols at the cemeteries are analogous to person, religious symbols that anyone can wear to school. Put a cross or a Star of David or whatever around your neck, and the government isn’t going to stop you (subject to certain constraints that would equally apply to secular symbols, such as a cross that was 2’ long or something). I wonder if the same reasoning would allow a school banner boldly proclaiming that (a) some of the students believe there’s a heavenly father and (b) some don’t. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/118 "2012-05-30T22:56:38Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I wonder if the same reasoning would allow a school banner boldly proclaiming that (a) some of the students believe there’s a heavenly father and (b) some don’t. I doubt it. You might get away with mentioning all deities plus non, but that might piss the religious people off even more. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/119 "2012-05-30T23:04:12Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > Obviously I’m aware that many people. includingjudges, have chosen to interpret the First Amendment as meaning something close to the opposite of what it actually says. Nevertheless, the First Amendment says what it says, regardless of how people interpret it. Why say “X violates the First Amendment” when the actual truth is that it violates some judge’s order? Because “some judge” was lawfully authorized by the Constitution to say what violates the First Amendment and what doesn’t. The Bill of Rights isn’t a divine edict of 10 permanent laws etched in stone and delivered by a prophet; you’re thinking of something else. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555/120 "2012-05-30T23:09:17Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Because “some judge” was lawfully authorized by the Constitution to say what violates the First Amendment and what doesn’t. The Bill of Rights isn’t a divine edict of 10 permanent laws etched in stone and delivered by a prophet; you’re thinking of something else. Yeah, but technically it was “some judge” who decided that the constitution authorized that. It was pretty controversial at the time, even if we accept it now as the way things were meant to be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-example-of-atheists-destroying-christians-rights/623555.md?page=7)