Posted on 12/18/2014 7:35:31 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, one of the largest secular groups in America, announced it is erecting 11 different billboards across Chicago this week with various messages. Some of the ads ask people to "think for (themselves)," while others argue that kindness "comes from altruism" and not from "seeking divine reward."
"Research shows that atheists and other nonbelievers remain at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to social acceptance. One reason for that is that even though at least 20% of the population today is nonreligious in the United States, many Americans have never knowingly met an atheist," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. "We're trying to change that."
The ads feature several atheist writers, bloggers, speakers and activists from FFRF and its chapter, FFRF Metropolitan Chicago.
The billboard presenting "Friendly Atheist" blogger Hemant Mehta says, "I'd rather put my faith in me," while another one with social justice activist Kimberly Veal reads, "We are here to challenge you to think for yourself."
An ad with Tom Cara, an atheist volunteer and FFRF chapter director from Niles, argues: "Kindness comes from altruism, not from seeking divine reward."
The 11 different billboards and their messages are featured on the FFRF website. The organization, which describes itself as a "state-church watchdog," says that it has more than 21,500 members nationwide, including 800 members in Illinois.
There have been a number of secular billboard campaigns that have been launched in December throughout the nation. American Atheists launched its holiday ads this year across several Bible Belt states, with a message to "skip church" this Christmas.
AA President David Silverman told The Christian Post that the group's billboards are aimed at atheists who are under pressure to participate in religious activities.
"We are using these billboards to spur intra-family communication because we believe the communication is desperately needed," Silverman said.
A separate FFRF holiday ad featuring an anti-nativity scene display at a city park in Arlington Heights, Illinois, was vandalized earlier in December.
The group issued a $2,000 reward last week for information on who vandalized the display, which featured a solstice sign and a large "A" for atheism light display. A metal sign depicting a "nativity" Bill of Rights scene in celebration of the freethought point of view was also damaged.
"It seems there is no peace, good will to all in Arlington Heights," said FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. "This is not just a heckler's veto, it's an attack on free speech in a public forum that is supposed to be open to all. This vandalism says the park belongs only to Christians — everyone else is an outsider."
The guy’s an idiot.Kindness is the manifestation of the Spirit within a Christian.
Absolutely wrong. Kindness comes from a sense of not expecting anything in return. Solely for the sake of helping - nothing else.
This is an ATTACK on Christianity and the spiritual beliefs of others.
His point is to what, replace all other religions with his religion?
What a complete ass.
Where does altruism come from?
“If any civilization is to survive, it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject.”
—Ayn Rand
Pitiful and kind of funny.
Oh well, we can await their signs on climate change and opening our doors to all immigrants (that is, the doors of the country, most certainly not the doors to their houses).
Ok, where does altruism come from then?
It is pitiful.All these people scurrying around,trying to cling onto anything but the truth.
Atheists will claim that their sense of right and wrong comes from themselves, and that they don’t need any outside influence. They’re intellectually dishonest, however, if they say they don’t have bad as well as good impulses, because I know I do. I’m a potential monster, but it’s my belief in a higher power that keeps me from being one. True, I am conditioned by society, but I believe that conditioning originates from religious values. That’s probably the point which atheists disagree with.
Nothing new.
Isaiah 14
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Psalm 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
They might want to keep the “crazy eyes” off their billboards... just sayin’
Altruism and kindness are essentially the same thing. So they are saying kindness comes from kindness. We call this begging the question.
Define “good”
Hard to define “good”...
because what I consider good is considered evil by others, and vice versa.
I guess it comes down to who can force everyone else to accept his definition of “good”, now doesn’t it?
Somebody thinks that these idiots know what “altruism” is?
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