Want to start cleaning up the trash (literally and metaphorically)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by kj on June 26, 2009 at 2:31pm

The only problem I see is...

1. Angry Theists tearing them down.

2. If they are public parks (which most are) people will protest giving Atheists any kind of credit for their "good works"

Other than those inevitable, I think it is an excellent idea with unlimited potential to make way for more projects such as this.

Permalink Reply by SBrooks on June 26, 2009 at 2:56pm

Your probably right KJ, especially about #1. My thoughts though are screw em, it just kinda proves the point that most of them dont believe a word they preach.

I doubt I could find enough Atheist here to clean out my car, maybe I need to look harder.

Permalink Reply by It's just Matt on June 28, 2009 at 10:15pm

You are correct with those conclusions, however, both scenarios would be counter-intuitive for those trying to defame an Atheist effort.

If you want something to go away, you ignore it or you do it bigger and better...I doubt there are religious groups that will do either in this area.

Permalink Reply by Gecko, Seth...brother of Richie! on June 26, 2009 at 4:28pm

I think its a great idea, if you can get public officials to go along. You and I are not far apart so I could help you out with the manual labor.

Permalink Reply by Wiley Coyote on June 26, 2009 at 7:06pm

Well first off let me say thanks for doing it.
I don't know if a park will put up a sign, but in most (?) states they have an "adopt a highway" program. If you can get a group together that will pick up along a certain stretch of highway they'll put up a sign stating the group who sponsored it. There might even be "adopt a park" programs out there, if not you could always try and launch one.

Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on June 27, 2009 at 12:11am

Though I'm on the other side of the continental divide, I do like the idea. The immediate concerns and how I would brace for and deal with them:

- Does the city/county/state object to a church group advertising its charity work on the grounds of separation of church and state? If not, then there shouldn't be any legal grounds to object to Freethought Atheists. If there is, that's the first legal battle.

- I'd definitely be prepared for Theists tearing down signs or even trashing the park further. The battle there is a PR one: Make sure the media knows that it's the Atheist group being attacked, not Atheists attacking the Theist group. Is there a mainstream media outlet that would be willing to be that *ahem* fair and balanced in its reporting?

That second one is where I think these battles need to be fought way harder than they are. I don't know if it's not enough people making an issue of it or unfair, unbalanced media, but it needs to be pointed out, with big neon lights, that while we're the ones accused of being criminal, it's the Theists vandalizing our crap, way more so than us vandalizing theirs.

I'm thinking in particular of the yearly American ritual of nativity scenes on courthouse lawns and the growing protest over it. Many local governments have reached the 'compromise' that any religious group can put something up on the lawn, knowing there's about 6 Jews in town and 2 Wiccans, none of whom have the energy to keep replacing their display as the Xians continually tear it down.

Permalink Reply by It's just Matt on June 28, 2009 at 10:12pm

Thank you everyone for all the replies. We have been out of town or I would have furthered this discussion already. Thanks Yvette for finding their number, I will inquire tomorrow and let everyone know of my progress, or lack therof.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Jacobs on June 29, 2009 at 8:31pm

I think this is a great idea. But I also agree with some of the posts that these would be tore down. I live in a moderate size town so there might be enough of us here to start something like that. I guess if we keep putting signs up they can't ignore us!