Atheist group trying to enhance profile by hosting float in Ellsworth’s Christmas parade

[rug]

Members of the atheist group Downeast Humanists and Freethinkers, decorate a float for this year's Christmas parade in Ellsworth. The group hopes to draw attention to the Christmas tree's pre-Christian roots.

By Nell Gluckman, BDN Staff
Posted Dec. 06, 2013, at 2:42 p.m.
Last modified Dec. 06, 2013, at 6:55 p.m.

ELLSWORTH, Maine — This year’s Christmas parade in Ellsworth will include one float that is decidedly not about Christmas. The float created by an atheist discussion group, the

Downeast Humanists and Freethinkers, will feature an evergreen tree, in keeping with the parade’s theme “Rock Around the Christmas Tree,” but will emphasize the tree’s pagan roots.

“We thought it would be a good way to acknowledge that the tradition pre-dates organized religion,” said Doug Bunker, who hosted the float-decorating party at his home in Franklin on Thursday.

The group has been meeting for almost nine years in Ellsworth on the first Saturday of every month and, until recently, has kept a low profile. Typically 20 to 25 members discuss issues such as physician-assisted suicide, evolution and crime and punishment at a cafe in Ellsworth. In the last few years, they’ve made small steps to increase their exposure by setting up informational booths at the Common Ground fair in Unity and the HOPE Festival in Orono.

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/12/06/living/atheist-group-trying-to-enhance-profile-by-hosting-float-in-ellsworths-christmas-parade/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Downeast-Humanists-and-Freethinkers/269733129738778

[giftedgirl77]

1. I like the Happy Winter Season sign.

I was going to do a nightmare before Xmas theme this year but wasn't sure if my house would get burned down.

[rug]

2. Be careful.

[madrchsod]

5. dam! why did`t i think of that...

my family is the odd one in the neighborhood and the nightmare would have great. i`m pretty sure no one would give it a second look. maybe next year!

[giftedgirl77]

6. We're the odd ones out most of the time.

It seems like an awesome idea & would put a new spin on things.

[xfundy]

3. Good for them.

The fact that many, many traditions were co-opted by organized for-prophet religions is inescapable, and it's way past time to recognize that fact. Some, who find power in organized religion, go out of their way to silence the truth, even violating their supposed beliefs to do so.

[longship]

4. I am all for atheist outreach.

Keep the message positive. Of course, some -- too many -- will see any secular message as negative. So at least try to keep it positive.

But the more outreach, the better. IMHO.

[cbayer]

7. I agree. It's not a war with winners and losers.

It's a matter of education, exposure and the sharing of traditions. They seem to be very sensitive to making this a positive, and not a confrontational, experience.

Good for them. I hope it goes really well.

[Leontius]

8. Preists, rituals, hierachy of gods, dogmas, rules of worship, selective human sacrifice for some

yep, god bless those "unorganized" pagan religious roots.

[okasha]

9. I think it's telling

that their float still celebrates a religious holiday--just not a Christian one. Haven't they got anything to offer that's actually their own?