23rd December 2010
“I spent many years teaching my children to love and respect other people and to love the fact that they were children of God and I don't feel that they should be influenced in any other way especially not at a Christmas parade. If you have younger children they weren't going to understand but I have older children, a teenager, 8-year-old and they were curious and they asked questions and it was hard for them to believe and understand that there are actually people out there that don't believe in God.”
Tina Corgey
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:32
Tina: Reality. Welcome to it.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:32
It’s tragic how a teen-ager can’t understand about people believing or disbelieving, though an 8-yr old might still believe such things. Of course children living in a Red State surrounded by fundamentalist adults, will certainly remain citizens immersed in their culture, perhaps for the rest of their lives. At least those children mentioned, did ask questions. That leaves it up to them individually whether to question further, or not.
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:05
I can’t discuss this quote sensibly, because – like Tina – I share the peculiar notion that an opinion I disagree with is one I should never have to see or acknowledge. When I venture out into an environment I cannot control, I become angry and upset at the violation of what I view to be my entitlement – my RIGHT – not to have to hear and see things I disagree with, and I feel persecuted and oppressed at the idea that other people are thinking things I don’t want them to.
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:18
SMM,
Really?? What a narrow set of experiences you leave yourself open to then.
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:26
Yeah, it’s a real drag. Just the other day I walked over a cliff that had no business being there, and the rocks at the bottom oppressed me quite severely.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:34
Tina’a quote is practically an admission of child abuse.
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:54
i actually go to a christian private school, when I finally (after 10 years) told the i was an atheist, they didn’t believe it was even possible to be converted.
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:21
You have my sympathies vltr – I spent years at school kneeling and praying, singing and being preached at, when in reality I had moved on. I was post-Christian. But did anyone care what I thought or not?
December 23rd, 2010 at 12:33
“I spent many years teaching my children to love and respect other people…”
“it was hard for them [her children] to believe and understand that there are actually people out there that don’t believe in God.”
More preaching than teaching I think.
December 23rd, 2010 at 14:29
In America’s hyper-religious climate today, can anyone imagine a conversation, over afternooon tea, between Thomas Jefferson and Sarah Palin ?
December 23rd, 2010 at 15:39
Maybe she should look up the definition of respect before she attempts to teach it.
December 23rd, 2010 at 16:36
The quote sounded like an immursion in brainwashing to me (is that redundant?). What ever happened to giving someone your world (spiritual) view and letting them come to their own conclusions?
December 23rd, 2010 at 18:04
I’m not sure I understand this quotation but I’m assuming that the Lady is complaining about the presence of Atheists at a Christmas parade. If I’m correct here I don’t think I can condone Atheists turning up at an event for Christians.
Merry Christmas everyone.
December 23rd, 2010 at 18:16
Well said Simon. Merry Christmas to you and yours too. Simon I think that the believer has more to look forward to than the non-believer.They can’t see the forest for the trees. God bless you all ,may you all experience the joy of the season. I just love this time of the year.
December 23rd, 2010 at 19:08
“I just love this time of year”
Is it ripe for trolling, Tech?
And why can’t you condone a group of people being in a public parade with no religious context?
December 23rd, 2010 at 19:11
Thank’s Tech.
I don’t personally believe in God, however, I will still go to church on Christmas day because it’s a family thing and also I enjoy the carol service. My family (who are catholics) know I’m an atheist but they are not offended by my presence. They would be offended if I turned up with a bunch of Atheists and sniggered and sneered throughout the service.
December 23rd, 2010 at 19:14
Simon,
Hold on, you don’t condone an atheist going to a Christmas parade, but you (an atheist) go to church (albeit only once a year). That sounds rather inconsistent, don’t you think?
December 23rd, 2010 at 19:27
But Simon, I feel that maybe you haven’t heard the whole story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIwbxEjH5U0
I think that (minus the commentary) is a great representation of what went down.
December 23rd, 2010 at 20:37
boo hoo, she can’t suppress others and control them, I’m so sorry she can’t afford to move to an old time theocracy.
The horn band is an example of Atheists taking back the season from the Christians who’ve stolen and monopolized it too long. I’d love to see more, and winter solstice festival parades given their rightful name. Alternatively Christians could pay for the rental of the streets and police stand by health and clean up services used.
December 23rd, 2010 at 20:51
Christmas in the UK is all about tolerance, admittedly more about alcohol tolerance than about religious tolerance.
I’m off to the pub watching a really great band called Radio Edit (google them).
Have a good christmas everyone.
December 23rd, 2010 at 20:57
to be honest as much as i am as militant an atheist as they come this really doesn’t bother me. freedom of speech is one of those convenient things that we are all for when it is our speech, but i would be just as apt to be critical of the KKK exercising their right to march in a parade for any reason. and though i disagree if you are to believe the christian doctrine the rhetoric espoused by atheists is worse then that from the KKK. by the way, that doesn’t stop me from espousing my rhetoric every chance i get.
December 23rd, 2010 at 21:01
spell check error espouse to expose
December 28th, 2010 at 0:56
I couldn’t care less about all the religous crap having to do with Christmas. I really enjoy the spirit of giving. The feeling of helping your fellow man, and giving back to your community.
The spirit of Christmas has been taken over by the retail market through media outlets. But even though they force you to buy there crap, they still promote happiness.
I wish everyone would stop trying to define how they will feel about the holiday and just enjoy everything it has to offer: Time off work, spectacular lighting, parades, sales, helping people in need, giving kids something to look forward to.