I assume you’re keeping the analogy going with evolution vs. creationism/intelligent design?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t some form of intelligent design what was taught before modern theories on evolution were widely accepted? And since then, some have been trying to re-introduce creation science and things like “flood geology” into the textbooks as alternatives?

So, we somehow went from having a crackpot explanation for things, then progressing to explaining them pretty darn well with evolution and modern geology, and now people that can’t let go of their pseudoscience want to keep their crazy ideas that have no basis alongside proven theories in schools.

Sad, just sad.

If someone were to try and argue with a mathematician that 2+2 equals 3, the mathematician would not get angry.

First they would be amused. Then, as they fail to convince that 2+2=4, frustrated. Then, when a law is passed saying that 2+2=4 is “just a theory” and that public schools should teach “alternatives to arithmetic”, I think anger would start to show, yes.

Excellent point. Sam Harris brings this up a lot. Their extraordinary claims should not go unchallenged.

The very fact that people get so upset over the secularists/atheists wanting to make sure that they have a place next to a nativity scene on public property, is evidence that they are not 100% secure in their beliefs, and do not want them questioned because they would have to question them themselves.

If they were completely secure, I think they would be more likely to just feel sorry for the atheists, rather than to get upset.

If someone were to try and argue with a mathematician that 2+2 equals 3, the mathematician would not get angry. 2+2=4 is not an extraordinary claim, and does not require defence.

The quotes of passers-by reinforces my view that the pro-religionists have gone unchallenged for so long that they have taken for granted their privileged status. The inclusion of non-religious and non-Christian displays alongside sectarian ones points out the absurdity of putting such displays on public property in the first place.

There is no shortage of churches in this country. There is no reason whatsoever that a public entity (city, county, state, Fed, etc.) should sanction religiously-themed holiday displays on public property, especially when the display has a clear sectarian purpose.

Let’s keep our religious beliefs where they belong: in our personal lives. Keep the government out of the discussion entirely. The best solution is to allow NO displays at all.