Greetings from Springfield Illinois

[AtheistInsurgency]

It's good to see yet another forum in action. In Springfield, IL where I live, the park district is giving permission to erect a statue of an angel. (http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/17290.asp)

While the object is well-meaning, the icon is inherently religious in nature and is yet another attempt to reinforce the psychological conditioning of authority and legitimacy of religion, especially on our most vulnerable children.

This object cannot be allowed to inhabit property paid for by tax payers.

[phrog]

First of all welcome. Aren't the Simpsons from Springfield? I forget.

As to the statue, I have mixed emotions. as you may find out reading my Blog (http://gnawed.com/blog.php?b=7) I'm fighting crosses erected on public property. Angels are like Santa or Gargoyles. I do hate to see religious icons paid for and sponsored by public funds and property but I do have a bit of wriggle room. I concede that religions have a certain amount of influence on art and social customs thru history. You could start a discussion thread on the subject in say The Coffee Shop (http://gnawed.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3) or Religion and the Law (http://gnawed.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12).

[stan2reason]

Hey AI!

Welcome aboard. Glad you've joined us!

S2R

[minorwork]

Yo, AI. 'bout time ya' got here. The angel thing could be replaced with a hammer and sickle? But phrog is correct. This is an intro thread. Glad to see you. How do you like the graphics job on my avatar?