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RSS FeedShould governments permit decorations for religious holidays in public squares?
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| Yes | 85% | 377 votes | Total: 445 votes | |
| No | 15% | 68 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesAbsolutely. There are so many different religions represented in our cities these days, and I don't believe in any of them. But I do believe in peoples individual freedom to choose. Any decorations put up in celebration of any religions special occasion, is not going to appeal to everybody in society. But as long as there is nothing blatantly offensive about any of the images or slogans displayed, what's the harm?
It's good to expose our children to different cultures and different belief systems. Why should every religion be made to keep their times of celebration hidden away, as not to offend those who don't follow that religion? Perhaps we all need to get over ourselves, just a little bit. Is your belief in your religion of choice, so fragile that seeing those of another faith celebrating some grand occasion of theirs would somehow pose a threat to your views? If you don't feel like dancing, then just don't dance. Nobody is going to try and make you. Just keep walking.
The greatest thing our society stands for is freedom. Our freedom is not the shallow freedom granted through like-minded compliance. Our freedom is deeper and truer than that. This is something we should defend and promote, not slowly chip away. I don't want to see the government putting more and more restrictions on us. I'm much happier accepting that not everyone is exactly like me but they are still equal to me.
And if these relious decoration restrictions were to be put in place, wouldn't it have to cover all religions? No more Santa at the mall. No more "Christmas" shopping. No bells or bows or balls of holly. Ridiculous.
If all religions are allowed to celebrate their special occasions with decorations in public places and you happen upon such a place that doesn't apply to you, accept the fact that we're all different. And understand that that is exactly what makes us great. Not to mention such colorfull decorations typically do serve to beautify whatever area they're in.
And if you're feeling left out because those beliefs don't neccessarily apply to you, then go find where and when they're celebrating your religion and if you want to take part, feel free.
Learn more about this author, Ivan-ac.
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No
Like so many modern Americans, I spent years in a spiritual limbo, angst ridden, pondering the big questions. Nothing helped. Until one day I found him: The Great Flying Spaghetti Monster from Outer Space.
Now my search is over and my soul is at peace. Praise The Great Flying Spaghetti Monster. Since I found him, it all makes so much sense. And I know if I spread he word about The Great Flying Spaghetti Monster from Outer Space, soon all my fellow men and women will be as contented and at-peace as I am.
The Great Flying Spaghetti Monster from Out of Space has revealed his plan to me, he has told me how he wants me to reach out to the other masses of people out there. He wants me to build a gigantic model of his likeness out of plaster and chicken wire, and then set it up in the courtyard outside of my local county offices for a week straight, during what He has told me to call the "Festival of Spaghetti Monsterosity." The site of my plaster and chicken wire model of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from Outer Space will sure spread the good word about the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Now I have spoken to some atheist and secular humanist friends about my new religious mission, and being the typical party-pooper atheists and secular humanists that they are, they warned me that my plan to put my plaster and chicken wire model of the Flying Spaghetti Monster on public property just wouldn't be acceptable. They tried to tell me that the government can't allow religious demonstrations of any sort on public property on account of some quaint document known as the United States Constitution which has firm provisions about the separation of Church and State.
Well, I say nonsense to all that. People need to know about the Flying Spaghetti Monster from Out of Space and I need to tell them about Him. So what if our Founding Fathers, representing the greatest ideas of the Enlightenment, thought it was absolutely crucial, for the preservation of Democracy, to separate church and state? The Enlightenment is over! We are in trouble now, people, and we need The Flying Spaghetti Monster from Outer Space to show us the way. I'll be dadgummed if I'm going to let any old Constitution prevent me from carrying out His will.
So that's it. I'm doing it. This year, the week of December 19th through until the 26th, I'm putting up my plaster and chicken wire model of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from Outer Space, right there in front of the County Offices, where everybody can be inspired by its grandeur and get into the true spirit of the Spaghetti Monsterosity Season. No two hundred and something year-old piece of paper written by a bunch of guys in powdered wigs is going to stop me from doing what my religion tells me is the right thing to do.
Learn more about this author, Briggs Seekins.
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