MA’RUF Amin, of Indonesia’s Ulema Council – the country’s highest Islamic authority – warned this week that opulent Christmas decorations at shopping malls could incite anger among non-Christians.
Talking baubles: Ma'ruf Amin
According to this report, although 90 percent of the country’s population of 240 million are Muslim, Jakarta’s glitzy malls have been decorated with Christmas lights and bunting – including faux snow, Santas and nativity scenes.
Amin is not happy:
Christmas describes a certain religion, and if the religion advertises it too overtly – even though they have only a small number of followers – it will cause jealousy and anger from other groups.
He added:
You can attract buyers without using religious symbols. Even the majority (Muslims) celebrate their big days modestly. How come a few followers who have plenty of money celebrate it the other way?
But retailers have correctly pointed out that the giant Christmas trees, paper mache reindeers and carols serve no religious purpose and are there to attract more shoppers during the holiday seasons.
He’s not the only one!
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/12/uk-muslim-group-launches-christmas-is-evil-poster-campaign.html
The main tenet of most religions seems to be that anything that is remotely enjoyable must of necessity be sinful!!
And this is from 2008:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3699565/Muslim-lawyer-Anjem-Choudary-brands-Christmas-evil.html
Merry Christmas everybody!
BTW: Thanks for the “Christmas is just two fucking deer” pic Barry – everyone agrees that it’s the funniest Christmas card that they’ve ever seen. Hohoho!!!
http://freethinker.co.uk/2010/12/12/secular-xmas-cards-are-a-sign-that-%e2%80%98christ-is-being-airbrushed-out-of-christmas%e2%80%99/
Wow!!! The first three comments are all Bjohn. I guess he likes to hear himself talk.
Warnings across the Muslim world this season have suggested that Christians keep their celebrations private. How better describe the influence of religion on war and premature death? It’s not this year, it’s throughout human history.
To atheists, I have one word, “pendulum”. When one discovers that religion is bullshit, one could understandably assume the opposit is reality. You have had an awakening. But your assumption is erroneous. To really discover reality, you must admit there are things that at our threshold of understanding as scientists, are still unknown. To believe anything unproven is religion, as guilty as any fundie.
Most of you hate me for saying that. Okay. But, what you believe shapes what you do, and your belief is fracturing the freethinker movement. Out there in the world are agnostics and humanists ripe to help us rid the world of superstition and organized religion. But, as a culture, you are too bull headed and single minded to let it happen. You are your own worst enemy.
NeoWolfe
@neowolfe
What the fuck are you talking about?
Methinks NeoWolfe has been at the sherry again!
Happy Festivus everybody!
I’m about to perform some feats of strength – including carrying beer back from the shop – and the wife will no doubt air her grievances!
Cheers all!
Wow!!! The first three comments are all Bjohn. I guess he likes to hear himself talk.
Barriejohn: Eleven lines.
NeoWolfe: Eighteen lines.
PMSL!!!
Neowolfe: You started the last paragraph by saying ‘Most of you hate me for saying that.’
I have disagreed with probably every person on this site at some point. I don’t hate any of them. We are on the same side. I would be surprised if any of them hated you.
The folks on this site relish a good solid argument, and whilst some will disagree, vehemently, with your ‘interpretation’ of atheism, a lot of the time people may agree. Never be angry if someone shoots you down on this site, just prepare a better argument next time.
Anyhow, I’m getting quietly pissed, so whilst I still have the power to type
A merry xmas to you all.
Many of those “non-Christians” seem to be in a state of continuous anger against non-Moslems.
Speaking of definitions, a devout Catholic I was discussing religion with decided that I must be an ‘agnostic’ because I wasn’t obnoxious enough to be an atheist.
Once again the religion of peace threatens violence…..well merry christmas to ma’ruf amin.
And happy winterval, festivus, solstice, saturnalia, christmas, whatever to all of you guys.
Neowolfe: don’t hate you at all. are you a scientist? I believe it was Voltaire who said “the only thing that prevents me from being an atheist is my skepticism”.
Hang on there, NeoWolfe …
The flaw in your argument is that not every unprovable assertion is equally ludicrous. If someone chooses to believe that alien life or string theory is feasible, that does not compare with the impossible blitherings of the religious. Feasible beliefs, even if completely unprovable, do not require you to summon up the mind cancer of faith to reinforce them.
It’s a universal human failing to equate deep conviction with obnoxiousness, especially if the conviction is one you disagree with. Rest assured, most atheists understand that they, agnostics and the moderately religious share a common enemy. That doesn’t mean it’s necessary to mince words. Moderate people of goodwill are tough enough to handle their cherished beliefs being doubted. Only zealots are delicate.
Merry xmas to you
MrGronk said:
“The flaw in your argument is that not every unprovable assertion is equally ludicrous”
I am sure that is true. The problem begins when we start building our lives around the ludicrous. Merry solstice to you too.
NeoWolfe
Ma’ruf Amin looks as if someone forgot the brandy sauce for his plum pud. Aaaah, shame.
What the hell have trees, Santas and faux snow got to do with Christianity? The only thing related to a ‘certain religion’ that this whackjob has described is the nativity scene….. I mean, St Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer? Come ooon.
Wow this cleric really needs to lighten up and have some fun, oh wait it’s against god to have fun oh well fuck him it’s his loss.
me and my cousin nipped out to the shop on christmas day which was run by muslims and the guy behind the counter gave us 2 liters of irn bru for only a quid which was cheaper than the asking price and he wished us both a merry christmas, he was muslim btw.
well I hope all my freethinking buddies had a great day yesterday I know I did and watching my wee neice and all her nonsense made it all the more awesome
These religious nuts are just like most dogs; mark your territory by pissing all over it.
How about teaching Indonesian clerics about the true, pre-Christian origins of just about everything in the solstice celebrations? They could then have a ball giving pronouncements that they’re fine with all these non-Christian celebrations that include everyone.
That would only work in a world where Muslim clerics give inclusive pronouncements, of course.