Another example of Christianity destroying culture.

[dyresand]

Are you seriously intimating that the big old symbol of christianity that the statue was replaced with doesn't hint at the identity of the culprits at all? You're willing to be that obtuse over this?

It appears that they showed this one because the vandal was cleared of any wrong doing. But I'll try to visit this site once in a while.

So, leaving aside that you're factually wrong, I'd say the reason you don't see us coming out against that is because I think it's generally pretty well implied that most people disapprove of vandalism, and there really isn't that many atheist vandals out there that we need to apologize for. You don't often see it because it's not common. Contrast that with the thin skin of the religious side, for whom even a highway sign stating that atheists have adopted a highway gets routinely vandalized with religious messages.

I really don't think you have much of a high horse to be sitting on, on this issue, Lek.

If you pay attention, you'll see that vandalism of churches is quite common. Just go to google and search "church vandalism. I think you're the one without the high horse Esquilax.

You are not because what ever little sign we have on atheism or anything promoting secularism or anything promoting we don't believe in god and freedom from religion it is always forced in our faces daily we are and tired of your praising in front of us and on the internet. We want to be away from that mindset we wont conform so stop it. We have billboard don't believe in god you are not alone then that gets vandalized and a ton of angry belligerent stupid people vandalize it. We just don't bothered with you theists we nothing against we just want you to leave us alone about your beliefs because simple do not care about god or religion.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I agree that it was a dastardly deed, but you might wait to see who did it before you start pointing fingers. Don't forget that there are churches being vandalized regularly. Should I immediately jump up and blame atheists? Why do I never see any condemning or ridiculing comments here when this kind of thing happens?

If someone vandalised a church I'd immediately condemn it.

Indeed, churches in the UK, specifically the historic ones, tend to be extremely beautiful with a rich tapestry of art and historical information imbued within them. People spraying graffiti over them is stupid.

Mosque's are often vandalised here following on from a terrorist attack or an atrocity committed in the name is Islam. I condemn that too, as more often than not it's done by thugs who lack the capability to demolish the religion through discourse and hence resort to petty crime instead.

[Esquilax]

It appears that they showed this one because the vandal was cleared of any wrong doing. But I'll try to visit this site once in a while.

That's true, but if you scroll down through the article you'll see a quoted portion of another one written months earlier, calling the vandalism in question stupid and counterproductive. The fact that the writer opted to repeat that sentiment even when the vandal was legally cleared is significant, I think.

If you pay attention, you'll see that vandalism of churches is quite common. Just go to google and search "church vandalism. I think you're the one without the high horse Esquilax.

Why assume that church vandalism necessarily means church vandalism by atheists? I mean, it's not like this case, where a deliberately religious message was erected in place of the vandalized sculpture; generally speaking there's no indication as to the reason for the vandalism at the scene. I plug that search term into google and all I get is general vandalism, not specifically atheist vandalism, so why should I assume nefarious intent on the part of my side? Wouldn't other religions have equal reason to do this, if you're intent on making this about disagreement with the religious message, rather than just destructive impulses from idiot young people?

[dyresand]

Why assume that church vandalism necessarily means church vandalism by atheists? I mean, it's not like this case, where a deliberately religious message was erected in place of the vandalized sculpture; generally speaking there's no indication as to the reason for the vandalism at the scene. I plug that search term into google and all I get is general vandalism, not specifically atheist vandalism, so why should I assume nefarious intent on the part of my side? Wouldn't other religions have equal reason to do this, if you're intent on making this about disagreement with the religious message, rather than just destructive impulses from idiot young people?

I can think of a few religions that really have a grudge against Christianity most being Abrahamic.

[Thumpalumpacus]

How was Mohammed killed? Probably a hammer. Do muslims build giant hammers and hang hammers round their neck? No. Probably not. Do they?

He was poisoned.

[C4RM5]

Here in Northern Ireland we don't take anything seriously.
By this I mean the police responded by creating a missing persons report.

"A well known six foot tall striking local male with an athletic build. He has shoulder length hair held back with a headband and has a beard. We have concerns for his health in this weather as he is bare chested with only a thin shawl held at the neck with a decorative clasp to keep his top half warm. Evidence at the scene suggests he has injuries to his feet!"

[vorlon13]

Was nailing 95 theses to the door of the church vandalism ??

The guy pulling 95 nails out with his teeth probably thought so . . . .

[Dystopia]

Indeed, churches in the UK, specifically the historic ones, tend to be extremely beautiful with a rich tapestry of art and historical information imbued within them. People spraying graffiti over them is stupid.

I love churches as historical monuments - I think the principle applies to any European country or any country that is (or used to be) traditionally Christian. In the case of the UK I presume it's related to Anglicanism more than Catholicism

Mosque's are often vandalised here following on from a terrorist attack or an atrocity committed in the name is Islam. I condemn that too, as more often than not it's done by thugs who lack the capability to demolish the religion through discourse and hence resort to petty crime instead.

I despise these acts - I think vandalizing mosques is an example of Islamophobia, not as a criticism of Islam, but as a demonstration of hatred for another culture. Destroying mosques is what far right parties like to see happen, the same people who dislike Muslims not because they are Muslims, but because they are arab. I think very few people, specially skeptics, who dislike religion (Islam included) would support vandalizing mosques, just like they wouldn't support vandalizing churches.

[Nope]

When my children were young I did not allow them to turn the conversation by saying, "Yeah, I did wrong but look at what my siblings did." That type of response was always viewed, by me, as a way to deflect getting into trouble and it never worked. My answer was that it didn't matter what their sisters or brothers did wrong because the topic of the discussion was what that individual child was doing wrong.

I see the same thing happening here. It would be appropriate for the Christians on this site to say, "That was a crappy thing to do and I condemn any religious person that did it." To add, "But another group also did it also" comes off as trying to justify the vandalism in some way.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Indeed, churches in the UK, specifically the historic ones, tend to be extremely beautiful with a rich tapestry of art and historical information imbued within them. People spraying graffiti over them is stupid.

I love churches as historical monuments - I think the principle applies to any European country or any country that is (or used to be) traditionally Christian. In the case of the UK I presume it's related to Anglicanism more than Catholicism

Bit of both. The dissolution stripped a lot of the old monasteries of their 'relics' and the new church implemented by Henry frowned upon idols of any sort - Anglican churches tend to be rather drab, however the ones that were appropriated from the monks and the RCC in General have a glorious mixture of pre-and post-Catholic era England which is unique.

Plus the cathedrals. Nobody, theist or atheist, can see a cathedral and think they're boring. Such stunning architecture, and the light streaming through the stained glass. Glorious.

This is the cathedral about 20 minutes down the road from me (warning. Large images

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Stunning.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichfield_Cathedral

Mosque's are often vandalised here following on from a terrorist attack or an atrocity committed in the name is Islam. I condemn that too, as more often than not it's done by thugs who lack the capability to demolish the religion through discourse and hence resort to petty crime instead.

I despise these acts - I think vandalizing mosques is an example of Islamophobia, not as a criticism of Islam, but as a demonstration of hatred for another culture. Destroying mosques is what far right parties like to see happen, the same people who dislike Muslims not because they are Muslims, but because they are arab. I think very few people, specially skeptics, who dislike religion (Islam included) would support vandalizing mosques, just like they wouldn't support vandalizing churches.

Agreed.