Freedom from Religion in Santa Monica

[rug]

November 26, 2012
By roberthunt

A victory has been won in Santa Barbara by those seeking freedom from religion in public. (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-denies-bid-park-nativity-displays-17762364#.ULIajIX5gnY.)

While it is perfectly understandable that some (Christian and atheist) may prefer the considerable beauty of the Palisades Park to be unmarred by any type of display, this may by a pyrrhic victory for atheism.

For about 60 years different Christian groups have mounted life-size nativity scenes on public land in the Palisades Park. Beginning in 2009 atheists asked for spaces for displays, so the city council held a lottery for parcels of land. Damon Vix got one such display space. The AP report tell us that “His first display quoted Thomas Jefferson: ‘Religions are all alike — founded on fables and mythologies.”

The AP reports that “In 2011, Vix recruited 10 others to inundate the city with applications for tongue-in-cheek displays such as an homage to the “Pastafarian religion,” which would include an artistic representation of the great Flying Spaghetti Monster. . . .The atheists used half the spaces they won, displaying signs such as one that showed pictures of Poseidon, Jesus, Santa Claus and the devil and said: ’37 million Americans know myths when they see them. What myths do you see?’”

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/roberthunt/2012/11/freedom-from-religion-in-santa-monica/

[Goblinmonger]

1. LOVE this guy's pontification from a position of privilege.

Understanding, whether it is understanding of conventional religion or of atheism, simply isn’t served by driving religion from public spaces. Both Christians and atheists need to learn that you only have freedom for religious discourse and indeed anti-religious discourse when religion has a place in the public space.

Too bad he doesn't realize it.

At least he found a way to criticize atheists. Hope it made him feel better.

[rug]

2. I wouldn't say that's privilege since he's saying the public space is open to all.

[humblebum]

3. Quite an apt and logical response to

"'...displaying signs such as one that showed pictures of Poseidon, Jesus, Santa Claus and the devil and said: ’37 million Americans know myths when they see them. What myths do you see?’” might be to put such a display next an anti-Semitic parody poster from 1930s Germany, and a racist anti-Black parody from the 1920s and captioned, " Is there really any difference?"

[Goblinmonger]

4. Jesus fucking christ

on a pogo stick.

[humblebum]

6. But, oh so honest and telling. nt

[cleanhippie]

5. Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

[humblebum]

7. Definitely one to bookmark. nt

[cleanhippie]

9. Indeed! Thanks for the laugh. It's exactly what I was needing.

[cbayer]

8. While I generally support how this was resolved, I find Mr. Vix's whining

about people being made at him and how misunderstood he is pretty sad. What did he expect?

As the article states,

“For his part, Vix said he was pleased with Monday’s ruling, but was also saddened by the anger being directed against atheists since he hung his first anti-God sign in 2009.
“So many people don’t understand atheists,” he said. “If you read the signs we put up, one said, ‘Love is all around you.’ That’s really a better understanding of who most atheists are.”"
One assumes a better understanding of atheism than his own heckling of religion in the displays he both put up and encouraged.
In any case Vix and his allies now have no opportunity to freely display their beliefs and correct any misconceptions about atheism raised over the last few years.