Vaguely disturbing day...

[PCIntern]

So I have a couple teabaggers in the practice...one-on-one not bad sorts as you would expect, but my god, what effluvia emanates from their mouths...it's like someone put in the cassette tape and hit 'Play'...

Anyway, one of them arrived today, breathless, with a story (I'll paraphrase): Teabagger goes to the bank and has a sit-down with one of the personnel, an African-American(!) no less, and at the end of the transaction, the teabagger says to the bank employee, "Merry Christmas." At which point the bank employee says, "Thank you. You wouldn't believe what happened to me earlier today. I said "Merry Christmas" to a customer and he started shouting at me that he was an atheist and how dare I impose my religion on him and..." I'll leave out the rest - I'm sure you've heard it.

So I smiled and did my work - I don't comment much on this stuff either way anymore, there's no percentage in it...on the way out the teabagger repeated the story VERBATIM no fewer than three times to each staff member who was unfortunate enough to get in the way.

I told them that I didn't believe a word of it, and that it was probably the assignment for the day from GlennBeckCentral or similar "authority".

[hlthe2b]

1. I certainly hope the story is BS...

I find this whole ridiculous controversy on religious versus secular observance of December Holidays to be one big irritation. I think you are probably right about it being a RW "war on Christmas" meme. That said, I've certainly seen that level of militancy among a minority of atheists on DU. While I am agnostic myself, I find it hard not to enter into the fray to defend whichever side is being demonized. Live and let live.... :shrug:

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Live and let live

but damn it the war on christmas is fun, and I have yet to bag that Rudolph, sneaky reindeer... he is TOO FAST.

:-)

I particularly don't care about it.

It is part of the damn culture wars thing.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. too late, somebody beat you to it:

[hlthe2b]

5. re:

Will Todd's head be up there next year? :eyes:

[pinboy3niner]

13. Probably. It can join his balls.

:evilgrin:

[left coaster]

3. hmm.. I have personally only ever encountered in your face

"Christians", and I use that term loosely.. rabid, confrontational atheists? Not so much.

[theoldman]

6. I am very open about my liberal religious beliefs.

I have met some Agnostics but not any Atheists. Perhaps the Teabaggers don't even know an
Atheist from an Agnostic.

[Edweird]

15. Hi. I'm an atheist. Good meet you.

[Codeine]

17. You've met plenty of atheists.

We generally don't make a big deal out of, unlike our oft-strident religious brethren.

[Laelth]

7. I don't believe the story either.

It's possible, of course, just not likely.

-Laelth

[PCIntern]

8. It rang as false as the used-car dealer's story...

"Yesterday I had a customer just like you! And she bought a...."

[frogmarch]

9. The "atheist" in the story

must have been a Christian trying to make atheists look bad.

I'm an atheist and am not offended when someone wishes me a merry Christmas. When someone does, I wish the person the same.

[Myrina]

10. ... same here!

:wtf:

[Edweird]

16. I do too. I LIKE christmas - the secular aspect of it anyway.

[Raine]

11. Sounds like bull shit to me ...

Christains are the ones who fight the "Christmas War" never encountered an atheist that was as obnoxious as a fundie.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Overseas]

14. I think you are right and I'm glad you said it.

There are talking point assignments and emails circulated, formally and informally.

Right wing PR is quite extensive and sophisticated in using various fora to push their "Hate Government More!" agenda.

[Codeine]

18. I'm an atheist who happily says "Merry Christmas",

exchanged gifts, and has a tree in his living room. Teabaggers lie instinctively.