I submit the symbols of some religions – Christianity being a clear example – can as easily communicate the very negative messages in their teachings and practices as they can the positive ones. When I personally see a manger, after my admiration of the non-religious significance of the mother-child symbolism, it then reminds me of the dubious support for the event it claims to represent, of the alleged horrible nature of the deity these people claim to worship and of the horrors perpetrated by these believers in the name of their deity and in the name of the “messiah” allegedly lying in the manger. To me, the symbolism of the Christian nativity scene is primarily negative. There are many characteristics true of me that these believers fear, denigrate and attempt to suppress or overshadow on a regular basis and displays of their symbolism only serve to remind me how different my life would be if they did not exist and how very different it would be if they were fully free to impose their views. But having said that, I would not wish the display removed or those who believe such things denied the right to express their beliefs – wrong or right.

Christian posturing around assumptions of monopoly over human culture, American culture, and various dates throughout the solar year only serve to reinforce the message regarding their views of non-christians and their continued arrogance regarding dominion. Their behaviors surrounding the display of an alternate point of view ought to send a clear message to those who wish to be free to believe and practice as they choose that neither Christianity nor its equally aggressive sister religion of Islam nor their parent religion of Judaism are the friends of peace and respect they claim to be.

I do not oppose Christianity as a free choice of others, despite its obvious errors of reason, however, I do and always will oppose Christian domination. I will not allow my voice to be silenced or the voices of others be suppressed solely because it makes you uncomfortable.

Freedom of speech and freedom of religion does not include freedom from skepticism, critique and rebuttal.

I am a suck-up because I refuse to hate those who believe? Living here in Texas, I have had people upset with my being an atheist, but never because I wasn't 'atheist enough'. Like I said, you have issues.

And you have no idea how foul-mouthed I can be, you c*ck-s*cking, m*ther-f*cking, sh*t-eating, festering wound of a d**chebag c*nt.

Of course, not one of those words, or my earlier ones, have been completely spelled out, so if you choose to interpret them as foul, then that is your choice, and a reflection of your thoughts.

Peace be with you. Now p*ss off.

By the way asshole, a real atheist would never say “You hate God” so it's obvious you're a liar.

You have shown your hatred of God, and the concept of God, with your writings. They are not the words of someone who merely disbelieves, but must denigrate those who do, and with hateful language.

You have deep issues you need to resolve about religion, obviously. Did you get f*cked in the ass by a priest when you were young, or did you want to and get rejected?

If you were not either new to this board, or such a complete f*cking idiot, you would know from many, many posts of mine that I am quite completely an atheist, not as you so non-hatefully put it, 'a Jeebus freak' or 'a religious idiot'.

I just don't have the need to hate, denigrate, and lash out at those who do not share my views on the lack of God. I show respect to them.

Unlike to you, as you deserve none, you sh*t-filled piece moronic trash.

OK genius. Please tell me how a person can hate something that doesn't exist?

You need to grow up.

Since when is telling the truth “bad taste”?

What's hateful about that? It's just the truth. Religions are nothing more than a collections of made up stories. Religions cause great harm to people. Any sign that encourages people to throw out their religious insanity can only make the world a better place.

I know it's just a guest voice post, but maybe the voices should have a more reasonably style in the future.

And I do try to not believe without proof, fail in some areas where my bias gets the best of me, but certainly not with religion. But those who have it, if it helps them, then great.

I guess I have always had less of an issue with individual belief and faith as compared to the institutions of belief. It does seem the more members and organizational structure gets involved, the less tolerance exists, and the more political internally and externally, and religion becomes.

I write it off to simple human nature.