In Orlando, more than one of those things has been making people nauseous lately.
According to a WFTV report, Straub's Seafood restaurant had to call MediaNet, a company that owns a billboard near the restaurant. The problem is in the content. The billboard, pictured in the linked article, shows a cartoonish fairy next to the words “All religions are fairy tales.” Straub's employee John Russel stated that business was down two-thirds on Easter Sunday (the billboard had been on display a week by then) and blames it on the stir that the billboard caused among potential customers.
...there are some valuable lessons for atheists and religious people alike to take away from this story."It's been causing us some problem[s]. I think it's causing a bit of controversy city wide. People have been contacting the media," stated Russel.
MediaNet claims that the billboard must have been put up illegally at night, an assertion that has been met with some skepticism. Regardless whether the content was legitimately paid for by a customer and approved by MediaNet, there are some valuable lessons for atheists and religious people alike to take away from this story.
Religious people: just because someone is an atheist doesn't mean they don't have convictions about their beliefs. Atheists have had to look at billboards touting religious beliefs for years, from the familiar and benign “Don't make me come down there. --God” to fanatical and often offensive anti-abortion billboards. While I think that atheists who are rankled at such signs are being ridiculous, it should surprise no one that sooner or later, atheists would start to put up their own signs.
A person's beliefs about religion are just that: beliefs.Atheists: don't stoop to the lows you often condemn your religious brethren for. Calling every religion a fairy tale is a surefire way to offend people: religious or not. Wars have not been fought over fairy tales, people have not killed themselves in the name of fairy tales, and fairy tales do not have near the cultural significance as religion. The goal of atheism should not be to offend and further widen the divide between the religious and the non-religious.
A person's beliefs about religion are just that: beliefs. There is no way any of us can figure out the Truth, so why argue about it? We've been doing that for thousands of years, and not much good has come of it. I'm willing to bet that if there was a God, and if he did “come down here,” he wouldn't be too pleased with all the useless bickering and fighting we do in His name. And according to several religions, the last time God was upset with the result of His creation, everything got really, really, wet. [WFTV.com] Branden Hart, a TheSequitur.com assistant managing editor, works as an editor in San Antonio.
Good article Branden. Of course you know that I am Christian but it is good for people of all religions to realize that going out of their way to offend or push their beliefs on someone else is wrong in the first place. I agree. All they are going to do is widen the rift between them. I do not agree with abortion but on the same note. Rev. Spits shut up. You are one of the people that is the cause of the problems. Instead of berating people why don't you sit down, speak with them, and try to understand them. Have a good day Branden.
Posted by Andrew, on 04/17/2008 at 05:04
I simply can't understand the anti-abortionists because they seem to spend so much time and money on the 'unborn' but don't contribute a nickel or give any consideration to the future of the child after it is born. And, just why should my uterus be so important? If men were having the babies, trust me the idea would change.
Posted by Shirley, on 04/04/2008 at 10:48
That billboard was Awesome. Whoever did it should be very proud of themselves. I have to drive down the road and read stupid 'Talk To Him, God Listens', signs. Same thing you are preaching to people that might not agree with that. Whoever put up the billboard should set up a donation site, raise money so we can put up more!
Posted by Vicki, on 04/02/2008 at 18:37
A person beliefs are just that: beliefs. And all beliefs, even religious ones, are open for challenge.
It may be true people kill others and themselves over religion, but that doesn't make religion any more 'truer' than fairy tales. Both have no proof. And in this sense, religions are equal to fairy tales.
Rev Spitz, your stance against choice is disgraceful. A woman's uterus belong to the woman, let her decide what to do with her body. A woman's body is not for you to control and none of your business.
Posted by Alex Taylor, on 04/01/2008 at 18:21
please go to ...blacksunjournal.com....or google black sun journal....i cant possibly respond anymore.....steve (straubs seafood)
Posted by steve, on 04/01/2008 at 02:47
Your support for murdering unborn children is disgraceful. You are no differnt than the babykilling abortionists.
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