# Merry Fucking Easter! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 24, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568 "2011-04-24T17:16:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/101 "2011-04-25T00:08:31Z")
> [@Cyningablod](#): > > Someone has watched _The Matrix_ waaaaaaay too many times. Nothing to do with _The Matrix_. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/102 "2011-04-25T00:10:14Z")
All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/103 "2011-04-25T00:11:13Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > So what is wrong with this? You’re their parent, not some omniscient GOD who has all the answers. “I don’t know” is the very beginning of Wisdom. Teach your kid that you don’t know everything, that it is perfectly ok NOT to know everything, and they don’t have to make up a lie everytime they don’t know something or that there is something wrong with them if they don’t know something. Again, I am scientist. The words most sacred to me are “I don’t know” I will certainly tell them “I don’t know” when a chain of explanation breaks down. When telling her about the facts of life (I know she is five but she did ask!) that chain extends for some distance. We eventually stopped at the reason for cellular division and what DNA is. I’ll take that on at a later date. How do planes fly? we make aerofoils and blow across them and discuss pressures and angles and whatnot. Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away. But outside of Terry Pratchett those characters are not a cause for violence and repression. Incidentally, for anyone wanting to get a good grasp of the humanist worldview I would highly recommend Terry’s work. Seriously. He understands more of the human condition than most authors currently writing. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/104 "2011-04-25T00:24:55Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon? Uh, whatever is the civic penalty for that. What are you suggesting I’m suggesting? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/105 "2011-04-25T00:25:10Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon? I have no problem with them. I think various sections of the public _should_ be able to use public spaces and structures occasionally. If we must have permits, those permits should be easy to get. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/106 "2011-04-25T00:32:00Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Someone had an empty Easter basket this morning, huh? Someone bit the ears off his chocolate bunny and pissed in his jellybeans. > [@antonio107](#): > > He is risen!!! Well, once Passover was finished that year, his family could use leavening again. > [@Lobohan](#): > > As for Finn’s point, I don’t think that a billboard is able to claim being the best. You need to use weasel language like, “The choice of a new generation” or “Boozo Vodka, a cut above” or “Boozo, the vodka you deserve”. “Jesus, a cut above the God-delusion the new generation deserves.” ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/107 "2011-04-25T00:36:09Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Uh, whatever is the civic penalty for that. What are you suggesting I’m suggesting? I’m suggesting that you unbunch your panties and let slide that which does not matter. Besides, the more you bitch about unimportant stuff like this, the less likely people are to listen to you when it’s something that really does matter. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/108 "2011-04-25T00:36:36Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > “Jesus, a cut above the God-delusion the new generation deserves.” You keep that level of game up, you’ll wake up Pope one day. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/109 "2011-04-25T00:37:41Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon? Crucify them. But make sure it’s on private property. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/110 "2011-04-25T00:45:37Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Crucify them. But make sure it’s on private property. They’ll just rise again in 3 days. Better throw them into Mt Doom. > [@NB](#): > > Again, I am scientist. The words most sacred to me are “I don’t know” I will certainly tell them “I don’t know” when a chain of explanation breaks down. > > When telling her about the facts of life (I know she is five but she did ask!) that chain extends for some distance. We eventually stopped at the reason for cellular division and what DNA is. I’ll take that on at a later date. > > How do planes fly? we make aerofoils and blow across them and discuss pressures and angles and whatnot. > > Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away. But outside of Terry Pratchett those characters are not a cause for violence and repression. How do you explain Santa Claus? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/111 "2011-04-25T00:55:22Z")
Is it just me, or are some of the resident atheists becoming pissier lately? For fuck’s sake, get over yourselves. The crucifix – tell your kids that the cross is important to some people because they believe in a man named Jesus who died along time ago. That’s it. You don’t even have to tell them necessarily that they believed that he was god, just that they believe he was a “nice man who taught a lot of important lessons, and he was killed by mean people for doing it”. And some people want to honor him for it. That’s all. And yes, this time, I AM saying you should shut up. Or rather, get over yourselves and quit whining. Oh my god, it’s an EASTER BANNER!!! (You guys are really starting to remind me of fundies who bitch about seeing Janet Jackson’s boob) _Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!_ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/112 "2011-04-25T00:56:05Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > All this talk of how to explain religion to your kids is interesting and all, but I think we need to get back to the OP. So what do we do about these terrible Christian lawbreakers who are hanging banners on overpasses with reckless abandon? Crucify them! …or maybe, on second thought, just go to the Pit and grumble about it. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/113 "2011-04-25T01:00:25Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Again, I am scientist. The words most sacred to me are “I don’t know” I will certainly tell them “I don’t know” when a chain of explanation breaks down. Then it seems that the failure is with you. You are not willing to tell them that very basic “I don’t know”. > [@](#): > > Religion? well it all starts from assuming a god. The chain breaks at the first link. We are in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy territory straight away. "Honey, **I don’t know**. People believe all sorts of different things about the world, about life and death, about what happens to us after we die, about how the universe was created. Some of it makes sense to me, some of it doesn’t. Those people believe that God created the world and gave us a set of rules to live by. Some of those rules, like “don’t steal” make a lot of sense. Some of them don’t make sense to me. But anyway, like I said, people believe all sorts of things. As you get older, you’re going to be exposed to a lot of different ideas and ways of thinking. All I ask of you is that you always think really hard about what you chose to believe and what you get involved with… and always be true to yourself first of all. Despite what people will tell you, you don’t have to believe what they believe in order to be a good person. When they tell you that, what they’re really saying is “If you don’t believe what I believe, I won’t like you”, and that would be wrong." ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/114 "2011-04-25T01:11:08Z")
IOW, give them the [God of the Gaps](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_the_gaps) argument. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/115 "2011-04-25T01:13:34Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Your thinly veiled insults are noted, you’ve managed to read into my posts words that were never there. Good for you. Indeed you are a fine example of what religion can do for the world. > You are fairly poor at reading comprehension though. You will recall reading my exchange with my daughter, you will also recall my problem > “All the while her little face was crinkled in confusion and I couldn’t think of a suitable analogy that didn’t cast religious people as completely hatstand.” > I was striving to cast religious people in a non-judgemental way. I want her to make up her own mind. It isn’t for me to tell her what to think but to help her how to think, to question, to probe, to seek. > > But as a religious adherent, what you must grasp is that your worldview makes no objective sense to those of us who are not adherents. As a man of science I cannot reconcile miracles with the physical world as I know it. I can’t give equal credence to what is known and what is believed. > > And though it may pain you and offend you to hear it. Actually I ascribe exactly the same level probability to the easter bunny and the judeo-christian god. That is not a position I take to insult anyone but it is a logical conclusion from the evidence available for both. > Perhaps you imagine I sit on my daughter’s bed every night reading from Christopher Hitchens? telling her to watch out for the strange folk who worship an invisible dead magical jew? > No, if I have a creed at all it is tolerance and love. live and let live, do as I would be done by. None of that comes from religion nor depends on the supernatural. I would no sooner denigrate a religion or its adherents in front of my daughter than I would spit in her face. > I will teach her to treat others well regardless of race, colour, creed, gender or sexuality. Something sadly lacking in the majority of the world’s religions. > However, were she to ask me outright what I believe and why I believe it I would certainly tell her the truth. Wow. You can’t even fathom WHY someone might believe in God or practice a religion? Well, can’t say I blame you. You can’t find Empathy in a test tube and there’s no element on the periodic table called Imagination. Hopefully your child will be able to learn those things and have them nurtured with her time in school or adults other than yourself. But, by golly, you’ll learn her some simple machines and quadratic equations. Oh boy did she hit the lottery! Speaking of reading words not on the page, I never said I practiced a religion. I don’t. I said I was a theist. I believe there is a Creator God. Period. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/116 "2011-04-25T01:29:36Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > Also, go fuck yourself. 😃 [Moderating] This is a violation of the Pit’s language rules, as detailed [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858). In the future, please avoid such language. No warning issued. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/117 "2011-04-25T01:35:47Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moderating] > This is a violation of the Pit’s language rules, as detailed [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858). In the future, please avoid such language. > > No warning issued. > [/Moderating] Duly noted. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/118 "2011-04-25T01:37:28Z")
I’d just like to add, as someone who neither believes in God, nor spends much time around children: “Well, Jenny, lots of people wonder where the world came from. Some people, like your dad, believe it just happened. Other people think somebody must have made it happen. They call this guy ‘God.’ These people think that God is pretty neat for making this whole world for us, and they spend a lot of time telling him “thank you.” Monks are people who like God so much, that they spend all day thanking him.” Honestly, the theistic viewpoint is not remotely difficult to understand. There’s a few first principles that you have to take… well, on faith, but after that, everything flows pretty logically. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/119 "2011-04-25T01:37:28Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I believe there is a Creator God. Period. So, what, this goddess menstruated all of us? ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568/120 "2011-04-25T01:43:18Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > You keep that level of game up, you’ll wake up Pope one day. Pope Cheshire I. Hmmm… No, I think I’ll pass. The celibacy part doesn’t sound worth it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merry-fucking-easter/579568.md?page=7)