Aug 16 2008
County Fair give atheists discount
Atheists and other non-Christians can get a discount at Sunday’s God & Country Day at the Wilson County Fair, thanks to the efforts of local atheists.
Until this week, fair officials were offering a church bulletin discount only to Christian groups attending during the annual God & Country Day. But after local atheists complained, fair officials extended the discount to believers of all faiths and nonbelievers alike.
Blair Scott, national alliance outreach director for American Atheists, plans on attending God & Country Day. Several Alabama atheist groups plan to join Nashville atheists at the fair.
Scott is pleased that atheists will get the same discount as churchgoers, but he thinks the fair’s mix of patriotism and faith is misguided.
“We think they should get rid of the God & Country name — it lends credence to the perception of discrimination,” Scott said. “Whether they are trying to discriminate or not, perception is everything.”
Read about it here.
[From me]
I have no problem with the atheists getting a discount. I want to know why the church goers are not observing the Sabbath? Shouldn’t they be resting? 
What do you think?
12 responses so far
I think the discount should be open for everyone. Why should Christians be the only ones receiving it? Either open it for all or simply do away with the “special” day.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Don’t Forget Your Turn Signal
Let me add…fair organizers should be pleased with the increase of attendance now that they’ve opened it up to the atheists to receive the discount…more than likely that’ll mean an increase of 3!
The man who said it gets confusing when God and country are mixed in special recognition services…I do have a question for him–how many atheist groups are celebrating and honoring the men and women who have/are serving our country? I don;t think I’ve ever heard of a special service held by atheists…but hundreds, if not thousands by Christians and other religious groups.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Don’t Forget Your Turn Signal
Steve,
Yea. Yea! And how many atheists PRAY for our troops?? Not a single one! When atheists start praying for our troops, THEN whey will have earned the right to say what’s confusing about God and Country slogans.
:))
Come to think of it: how many atheist men and women are serving our country?
I think it’s fine for Christians to celebrate the “God & country” deal, but not in worship services. When we assemble to praise and worship God, I WILL not pledge allegiance to any other than the triune God. So this year I simply didn’t go to our church’s big G&C celebration.
It’s the same sort of “groupthink”, generating the need for such worship services, that makes people see their primary responsibility as a part of the Body, to simply show up on Sunday. IMHO, at least.
And Kevin … we can still celebrate rest on the SABBATH, get a good night’s sleep, and then go to church, and the fair, on SUNDAY.
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..Enmity. Bondage. Forgiveness. Freedom. Joy.
Two thoughts from me:
The story says: “Schwartz says he and other atheists will wear T-shirts and pass out fliers but won’t be waving protest signs on Sunday.”
Does this mean he’s canceling the protest, or that they’re still protesting?
I think this story is an example of the “protest mentality” in our country. Even though they got what some might consider a “win,” they’re still going to express their dissatisfaction.
Ok, it’s their right, but what concerns me more is this:
“Whether they are trying to discriminate or not, perception is everything.”
This is a huge issue - either we have some solid parameters for what constitutes discrimination, or we lose any real sense of what discrimination and fairness are.
Perception is not, and should not be everything. I would think that most critical thinkers (especially atheists) would agree that it’s not all about perceptions, reality is an important factor.
Matt Knight’s last blog post..More Thoughts on the Lotto Tithe
Hmph. Us Agnostics don’t get no kind of break. We’re like the bisexuals of the spiritual war. Neither side really wants to talk about us. Much less give us a discount! (grin)
jimmy paravane’s last blog post..slouching towards Bethlehem
Us Agnostics don’t get no kind of break. We’re like the bisexuals of the spiritual war.
That was funny Jimmy!
Kevin,
You dont really mean Christians should observe the Sabbath do you?
davidbmc’s last blog post..Bob Barr Sues Rick Warren/Saddleback Church
David,
No, I was joking.I was pointing out the hypocrisy of Christians being up in arms over this, but attending events on the Sunday. It is strange to me that people will get all up in arms about cutting grass on Sunday but they go out to eat & let others work.
Kevin…good observation.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Don’t Forget Your Turn Signal
Oh good. I guess my joke-o-meter is broken this week. All seriousness over at my blog.
Sorry for not getting it!
davidbmc’s last blog post..Bob Barr Sues Rick Warren/Saddleback Church
A3,
Sorry I just now saw your comment was in the spam. Even the anti-spam is against atheists!
Kevin,
:))