One of our local churches featured this on their front-yard marquee...

[CoffeeCat]

(The church just recently took these words down. I was very glad to see them go).

------------------------------------
Christians: Merry Christmas!
Jewish friends: Happy Hanukkah!
Atheists: Good luck
------------------------------------

Nice and Jesus-like, huh?

:(

[bryant69]

1. I dont' understand that

Isn't that the opposite of the evangelical spirit? Too many churches, it seems to me, are more comfortable condemning others to hell than they would be to try to save others souls.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Fridays Child]

2. But, wait a minute. Don't Jews needs good luck, too?

I mean, they're just as hell-bound as the atheists, aren't they?
/sarcasm

[ClintonTyree]

7. They don't believe in Jebus...................

so I guess that may not get them into heaven, then again, they're god's chosen people. Maybe a permanent state of limbo?

I have a hard time figuring out the rules of this religious quagmire.

Everybody's going to hell in my estimation. According to all the different religions, if you don't believe in THEIR dogma, you're going to hell. So I guess everybody's wrong.

Heaven...........hell........it's just a fantasy anyway.

[latteromden]

3. Well, we can't have the churches saying "happy holidays," now can we!

:eyes:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. So.... the Atheists could put up a sign that said:

Believers in imaginary superior beings: Good luck!

[AWhitneyBrown]

5. As an atheist

I find it pretty funny. It's a decent joke. I don't begrudge the religious folks their superstitions. Besides, we can all use some good luck.

[Dhalgren]

8. Yeah, it is funny.

And I'd rather have the luck than the other stuff...

[ClassWarrior]

6. I'm guessing that the "Good luck" was well-intentioned...

...but someone didn't take into account that "good luck" can also be a cynical expression (as in, "Good luck, buddy!"). A better thought might have been something like, "Atheists: Blessings to you."

NGU.

[paineinthearse]

9. That's the sense I got, too.

Have you asked the church what the intended message was?

[CoffeeCat]

22. I haven't asked...

...the church what the sign meant.

I guess I took "Good Luck" in a negative sense.

My feeling (which could be wrong) was that the "good luck" was coming from people who believe that atheists will someday be in hell. "Good luck" seemed a bit condescending and glib.

If the church really wanted to wish atheists warm wishes during the holidays, I can think of thousands of other unambivalent ways to do so. "Good luck" seemed like the punchline of a joke, in which atheists were fodder for jokes--because they don't believe.

Also, "Good luck" sorta has a "you're on your own" connotation. If this church wanted to extend a hand to atheists, they could have said:

Atheists: We wish you well too, and hope to see you soon!

This is just the way I took it.

[shaolinmonkey]

10. What about the Buddhists?

They're religious but deny the existence of a supreme being? Or Hindus? I can't believe that Ghandi is roasting in eternal damnation.

[GOPBasher]

12. According to most evangelical Christians he is.

Most evangelical Christians believe that all non-Christians go to hell, regardless. We're all sinners, they say, so we all need to be forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, which to them means you have to believe in that dogma. So, according to most evangelicals, Ghandi is roasting in hell.

[ClassWarrior]

13. I doubt that it's according to "most evangelicals." It's according...

...to their theology. But I doubt that many have even thought it through to that point, and I doubt if they'd concur with it if they did think it through.

NGU.

[GOPBasher]

21. That's true. nt

[FlaGranny]

19. Evangelicals I know

explain that no one goes to hell if they do not know Jesus' message. That's why there are evangelicals - to make sure that everyone knows about Jesus. That way, those jungle tribes, if they don't start believing, can be dispatched straight to hell. Would not want them to stay in the dark, and be forgiven because they did not know, and then get to go to heaven with the good believers.

I'm sorry if that sounds cynical. It's more cynical than I usually get on the subject of religion, but the subject "bugs" me.

I have a few evangelicals on both sides of my family. One side proselytizes in Africa, the other side in South America.

Edit: I guess I just don't understand the mindset that one's own beliefs are the only beliefs that matter.

[GOPBasher]

20. Yeah, there are a lot of disagreements of opinion on that issue.

Some think that those who never heard go to hell. Some think that those who never heard are saved, but those who were witnessed for 45 seconds must believe or they go to hell.

I agree with you, though. If they believe that those who never heard automatically go, then why don't they keep their mouths shut and not ruin their free ride? :shrug:

[McCamy Taylor]

11. I read this different, but I wasnt raised a Christian, so to me

Christianity is just another monotheistic desert cult like Judaism or Islam. Of the three greetings, "Good luck" is the one I would appreciate the most.

There are no true atheists, only people fleeing from religions trying their best to rid themselves of their belief in the gods they were taught to believe in. Or the existentialists, who lost their belief in the gods they were taught to believe in and desperately wish they could get their belief back.


Given how much suffering people go through with all this belief and non belief in their gods, it is so much simpler just to say "Hey, whatever" and be a Buddhist.

[AWhitneyBrown]

14. There are true atheists.

I am one. There is nothing out there. Part of being a true atheist, I think, is having no bitterness over this simple fact, and also understanding, at least to some extent, what people mean when they speak of their gods. Mostly they are referring to their own subconscious mind, which of course, created them, (that is, that part of them they know as themselves), can hear them when they pray, gives them strength and courage, and which (at least it so imagines), will live on after them, not being able to concieve of its own non-existence.
Incidentally, this unconscious mind also created the universe, or so it imagines, being unable to distinguish between the act of creating something and the act of becoming aware of something. Like Columbus 'discovering' America, as if it didn't really exist before.]
Most people still worship Zeus (Dios, theos, etc.) the man with the white beard. It's a relic of childhood, as is the magical thinking that accompanies religiosity; (I can control the universe by getting in good with the one who controls it.)Most religion is just infantile thinking. Still, many times I wish I had faith, but you can't make yourself believe something you know is not true. At least I can't.

[WLKjr]

15. Good reason why I do not attend church

I try to live my life everyday by being honest and kind to everyone I meet. But I do not think I have to be around hypocrites to learn what is right and what is wrong. My religion is personal.

[ClassWarrior]

16. Yeah, good thing there are no hypocrites out there...

...in the rest of the world.

<LOL>

I don't think we get anywhere by stereotyping.

NGU.

[WLKjr]

17. hold on a second I apologize

I shouldn't broad brush like that. I just know of a lot of people around where I live that are hate mongers during the week but play angel at the pulpet on sunday. I just refuse to be around people like that.

[ClassWarrior]

18. Accepted.

I know a few who are hate mongers during the week AND at the pulpit on Sunday, too. <LOL> Takes all kinds, I guess.

NGU.