Tuesday, December 18, 2007 | Reason : In the News | print version

Borders Tags Atheist Book with 'O Come All Ye Faithless' Cards

by The Christian Post

Reposted from:
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071217/30535_Borders_Tags_Atheist_Book_with_'O_Come_All_Ye_Faithless'_Cards.htm

A controversial Christmas card reading "O come all ye faithless" has been strongly criticized by Christians as an "ill judged and insensitive joke." Borders book stores began giving away the card free with every copy of Richard Dawkins' well known atheist work, The God Delusion, this Christmas.

The Rev. Jonathan Edwards, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. said the idea was "crass."

"I am quite sure that Borders intended their Christmas card as a joke. However, I personally find it an ill-judged and insensitive joke," he said, as reported by Baptist Times.

He continued, "Christians have always been used to being punch bags but I would have hoped that, in a society in which we are seeking to show respect to all people and beliefs, we might have grown out of this kind of nonsense."

He was supported by Justin Thacker, head of theology at the Evangelical Alliance, who said, "It won't surprise me if this spectacularly fails. Christmas still holds a high place in people's hearts - I think a lot of people will be offended by it."

Borders has responded to the criticism by issuing a statement which said it "did not intend it as anti-Christian or a swipe at the Christian faith," and said that it "apologizes to any of our customers who feel it was that," according to Baptist Times.

The book store described the card as a "continuation" of the debate on atheism that had come as result of the book, which was a bestseller for Borders this year.

"Our customers are intelligent, curious people who enjoy exploring all types of books and music. Naturally, some of the thousands of books and music selections we carry could be considered controversial or objectionable depending on individual views, tastes and interest," Borders said in a statement.

"However, Borders stands by its commitment to let customers make the choice."

The Evangelical Alliance's Thacker noted, "I think the atheists will love it because it's bashing Christians around the head. It's another thing to take a Christian festival and abuse it.

"Borders wouldn't do this to any other religious festival. Borders [has] made a strategic mistake and Christians will boycott it."

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1. Comment #100192 by Rtambree on December 18, 2007 at 11:24 am

"Oh no, we Christians are such victims. Look at how mean those nasty atheists are. First Golden Compass, now this. Where will it all end?"

Other Comments by Rtambree

2. Comment #100193 by Unknown on December 18, 2007 at 11:25 am

I always need to laugh when they call christmas a christian holiday.

Other Comments by Unknown

3. Comment #100195 by MorituriMax on December 18, 2007 at 11:27 am

Holy Crap, it's not as if the Christians don't use anything these days to show how "they" are being "persecuted." NOW they even take the opportunity to moan and whine when the supposed "persecution" isn't even on/aimed at one of "their" books!

How much moxie does THAT take?

Other Comments by MorituriMax

4. Comment #100201 by a tree with roots on December 18, 2007 at 11:30 am

I find that rather pitiful on their part. Really? 'O Come All Ye Faithless' really bothers you? Please...

Other Comments by a tree with roots

5. Comment #100203 by Dower on December 18, 2007 at 11:32 am

Even Borders has a right to exercise free speech.

Christians are so insecure in their faith that any hint that it may not be true gets their panties bunched up.

Other Comments by Dower

6. Comment #100208 by USA_Limey on December 18, 2007 at 11:38 am

It's another thing to take a Christian festival and abuse it.

*** Quick time warp ***

... Circa, 1,800 years ago.

Pagan: "Damn Christians, taking our winter soltice festival and abusing it"

:-)

Other Comments by USA_Limey

7. Comment #100209 by annabanana on December 18, 2007 at 11:38 am

"I think the atheists will love it because it's bashing Christians around the head. It's another thing to take a Christian festival and abuse it."

Ummm, no, Atheists will like it because it's a pun and most *intelligent* people enjoy puns. Get over yourselves already!

Other Comments by annabanana

8. Comment #100211 by Slippy on December 18, 2007 at 11:40 am

It's like that song,

Your so Vain,
I bet you think this card is about you,
don't you, don't you.

I know your all singing along.

Other Comments by Slippy

9. Comment #100213 by Burton on December 18, 2007 at 11:42 am

I love this card.

Though I saw it at least a month ago (probably more like 2). Why is it only being bashed now?

I don't know of a single athiest who would object to a nativity scene in a school or other public place. One must return to the eloquence of a preious poster.

Don't get your panties in a twist about it, lighten up.

Other Comments by Burton

10. Comment #100214 by Matt7895 on December 18, 2007 at 11:43 am

Forgive me if I don't shed a tear.

Other Comments by Matt7895

11. Comment #100216 by Fedler on December 18, 2007 at 11:44 am

Christians have always been used to being punch bags but I would have hoped that, in a society in which we are seeking to show respect to all people and beliefs, we might have grown out of this kind of nonsense.

This kind of quote always irritates me. "Oh, we poor Christians are used to being punching bags, but can't we all just get along?" Christians have done more to suppress non-belief than anyone else. Since when have they ever really respected atheistic views? I think it must be hard-wired into Christian apologists to play the suppression card for themselves while downplaying their own involvement.

Until the fourth paragraph I thought the religious spokespersons were defending atheists who might take offense to the tags (like our non-belief is a joke). As far as the tags go, that was pretty stupid in my opinion. However, it gives TGD more publicity.

Other Comments by Fedler

12. Comment #100218 by The Reverend Dark on December 18, 2007 at 11:49 am

I am so deeply, deeply, cheesed. I could be a Jalapeno popper.

Where is the rest of the outrage? Sure there are some vocal Christians wringing their hands and spilling tears; but they are only one faith.

Surely this must be deeply hurtful to all other faiths, as their imaginary friends are bent over and recreationally back-passaged by these deeply hurtful cards, without I might add the courtesy of a reach around, or forgiveness and a Snicker bar from Father O'Badtouch.

Where is the Muslim outrage? Maybe we need teddy bears.
Where is the Mormon outrage? (ding dong...no it was just Avon.)
Where is the Jedi outrage? I want to know that a green latex puppet 'deeply hurt is' over this.
What about the Zoroastrians? Or the Zorros? Surely a dripping red Z of retribution must be carved like a scarlet letter upon the left testicle of those responsible. Those without a left testicle may substitute a right buttock.

Singing.
Outrage is coming Bill Donahue is getting fat; Zorro stabbed your testicle for saying god ain't that. If you haven't got a testicle a right buttock will do, If you haven't go a right buttock then Bill hates you.

Come all you faithful, you insecure sycophants, get your righteous anger on. These terrible, little, pieces of paper are a deep threat to you omnipotent, omniscient, imaginary gods.

The Reverend Dark

Other Comments by The Reverend Dark

13. Comment #100219 by mdowe on December 18, 2007 at 11:49 am

Playing the 'offended and hurt' card seems to get good milage for the Muslims. On the bright side, at least the Christians don't resort threats and murder at every (real or imagined) insult.

Other Comments by mdowe

14. Comment #100222 by quill on December 18, 2007 at 11:53 am

I wish someone would get this man some whips and chains so he won't have to rely on Borders to feel victimized.

Other Comments by quill

15. Comment #100228 by Northern Bright on December 18, 2007 at 11:58 am

Spotted in a newspaper on another planet:

"Paula Kirby, who goes under the name of 'Northern Bright' on the Richard Dawkins website, commented:

'Selling Christmas cards in places where non-Christians go is just crass, ill-judged and insensitive. Atheists have always been used to being punch bags but I would have hoped that, in a society in which we are seeking to show respect to all people and beliefs, we might have grown out of this kind of nonsense.'

She added, 'I think the Christians will love it because it's bashing atheists around the head.'

Meanwhile, pagan groups demonstrated outside Lambeth Palace, demanding that Christians give them their festival back.

A Christian spokesman responded by saying: 'Tough. Finders keepers. Now go away before I set the Inquisition onto you.'"

Other Comments by Northern Bright

16. Comment #100231 by notsobad on December 18, 2007 at 12:03 pm

"Christians have always been used to being punch bags..."

How stupid can you get?

Other Comments by notsobad

17. Comment #100232 by Geoff on December 18, 2007 at 12:04 pm

Good one, Paula!

But "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition"...

Other Comments by Geoff

18. Comment #100239 by HumanisticJones on December 18, 2007 at 12:14 pm

So let me get this straight.

An off the cuff parody on the title of a Christian song...
used in an advertisement aimed at atheists...
for a book about why atheism is the best logical position to take on the god issue...
is now equivalent in these daft peoples' eyes to me walking into a church during Christmas Services and punching the pastor in the face followed by a good hour of beating random church goers all while shouting "Take this you silly god-believing type person!", "This one's for believing in a messianic figure!", "How dare you have the arrogance to believe in a global flood in your own home!". This is a silly add designed to make atheists giggle and maybe pick up a copy of the God Delusion, not a manifesto on tossing Jesus lovers to the lions.

Oh, trust me, I love the add. But I love it for the same reason that I like the play "Shoggoth on the Roof" by the HPLHS, that I get a kick out of parody, and not for some imagined "beating Christianity in the head". They do that well enough with out our help.

Other Comments by HumanisticJones

19. Comment #100245 by JenniferT on December 18, 2007 at 12:21 pm

Doesn't "O come all ye faithless" sound more like a mocking dig at atheists rather than at christians?

Other Comments by JenniferT

20. Comment #100248 by petermun on December 18, 2007 at 12:24 pm

Christianity, which is such a joke, has always been unable to take a joke.

Other Comments by petermun

21. Comment #100250 by jayalenik on December 18, 2007 at 12:26 pm

17. Comment #100232 by Geoff on December 18, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Good one, Paula!

But "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition"...

Ok Geoff since no one else said it " nobody expects the spanish inquisition"

Other Comments by jayalenik

22. Comment #100251 by SRWB on December 18, 2007 at 12:26 pm

Not to be too pedantic, but how can a Christmas card reading "O come all ye faithless" be anything but a joke? And in regard to the Evangelical Alliance's Thacker noting, "I think the atheists will love it because it's bashing Christians around the head. It's another thing to take a Christian festival and abuse it", the response should be "lighten up and don't take yourself so seriously". As has been discussed on other threads of late, many of us atheists remain cultural Christians who celebrate Xmas in the sense of gathering family and friends for cheer and camaraderie at the bleakest time of year (weatherwise) - some of us even give gifts while gathered around a pagan pine tree and donate time and money to worthy causes. How nasty are we?

Other Comments by SRWB

23. Comment #100252 by Elles on December 18, 2007 at 12:27 pm

A card, being given to Atheists, that says 'Come all ye faithless' gets the response "Christians have always been used as punching bags"?

Faithless. For the love of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, how is that directly an insult to Christianity? Would not a Pastafarian also have the right to call themselves a punching bag? A Scientologist? A Muslim? A Mormon?

I think that since the Christians are boycotting it I'll start doing all my book shopping at Borders...

Other Comments by Elles

24. Comment #100263 by frankie1958 on December 18, 2007 at 12:37 pm

Some people get their sigmoids in a knot over nothing. It is in vogue to be 'offended' these days by everything. Pick your battles...be offended by poverty, illiteracy, stupidity, corruption, greed, violence and war etc.

The Christians getting their panties in a pucker over a pun have lost their perspective.

Other Comments by frankie1958

25. Comment #100265 by DCPirana on December 18, 2007 at 12:43 pm

I'm literally weeping for the poor, abused Christians. We really should be ashamed of ourselves.

Maybe the real hell for Christians is composed not of fire and brimstone, but instead is full of benign commentary that fails to treat their beliefs with slavish reverence. "AH! Save me! They're not taking me seriously and it BURNS!"

Other Comments by DCPirana

26. Comment #100266 by Foth on December 18, 2007 at 12:45 pm

Christians to boycott The God Delusion?

Inconceivable!

Other Comments by Foth

27. Comment #100275 by D'Arcy on December 18, 2007 at 12:53 pm

But "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition"...

No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Other Comments by D'Arcy

28. Comment #100277 by eiskrystal on December 18, 2007 at 12:55 pm

I actually thought this was a really tacky sales gimmick that both atheists and christians would find icky.
It is a blundering heavy handed attempt to cause controversy and lacks any sense of style or wit.

Other Comments by eiskrystal

29. Comment #100278 by brian_d_w on December 18, 2007 at 12:56 pm

If it said

"O come all ye @#$%^ng faith heads"

Now that would be offensive.

Other Comments by brian_d_w

30. Comment #100279 by ShavenYak on December 18, 2007 at 12:56 pm

Lemme get this straight.

A card, which, if you really really stretch, might be considered to be mocking Christmas, is given away to people who are buying a copy of a book which forthrightly and unmistakably calls the Christian faith a delusion. The Christians get upset about the CARD?

I suppose it's because the card is at their reading level, and the book is too far beyond it. Heck, most of them barely bother to read the book that they believe God himself wrote.

Other Comments by ShavenYak

31. Comment #100283 by D'Arcy on December 18, 2007 at 1:03 pm

Seriously though, if offending the Baptist Times is ruining their Santamas winterval period, then so be it. These dour buggers might get through life a bit better with a sense of humour.

In the meantime I wish all readers a happy winter solstice, a day of true planetary significance!

Other Comments by D'Arcy

32. Comment #100290 by 35bluejacket on December 18, 2007 at 1:10 pm

The Bible says one of the fruits of the spirit is "long suffering". So Christians, suck it up.

Other Comments by 35bluejacket

33. Comment #100291 by seekerofall on December 18, 2007 at 1:12 pm

I worked for Borders for about 6 years on a part time basis in a store in Illinois....the community was largely christian...I was always the one that read the controversial stuff (employees read free);) Our store like most had an endcap of 'staff picks'...best part of my job was the christian outrage at the books I read...as if my reading could somehow influence or hurt their beliefs...The God Delusion remains one of my favorites....as is Hitch's book God is Not Great....was fun to hide on the other end of the display when i saw someone perusing my choices and listening to the comments they made without knowing who I am or anything about me......the difference is, being secular their comments never bothered me nearly as much as what I read bothered them.....way to go Borders!! it is about freedom of thought....need i say more??

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34. Comment #100298 by John Frum on December 18, 2007 at 1:25 pm

As The God Delusion is about religion and not just Christianity, I wonder if we can expect more of this kind of promotion that includes Islam. Hope so!!

Nah...They aint got the balls.

Scared shit of Islam I bet!
Just have a go at those who won't burn your shop down, cowards.

Other Comments by John Frum

35. Comment #100299 by Eamonn Shute on December 18, 2007 at 1:26 pm

Didn't Christopher Hitchens urge people to boycott Borders because of their removal of publications containing the anti-Islamic cartoons, or was it another bookstore?

Other Comments by Eamonn Shute

36. Comment #100307 by seekerofall on December 18, 2007 at 1:36 pm

To the best of my knowledge Borders never boycotted anything at least not while I worked for them...they wholly believe in freedom speech and freedom of the press....they even carried the O.J. Simpson book...they just refused to promote and display it..and all stores have to adhere to company policies regardless of public or personal opinion

Other Comments by seekerofall

37. Comment #100325 by OrbitalMike on December 18, 2007 at 1:49 pm

Oh boo hoo. Poor Christians act as if Borders is feeding them to the lions.

NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Other Comments by OrbitalMike

38. Comment #100327 by Northern Bright on December 18, 2007 at 1:54 pm

Oh boo hoo. Poor Christians act as if Borders is feeding them to the lions.

To be fair, I think we have to remember that Christians are positively incentivised by their religion to feel persecuted - their sufferings are, after all, rewarded in heaven. No wonder they go around rummaging in drawers, hunting down the backs of sofas and tipping out their handbags in the hopes of finding some.

Other Comments by Northern Bright

39. Comment #100337 by steveroot on December 18, 2007 at 2:03 pm

36. Comment #100307 by seekerofall on December 18, 2007 at 1:36 pm

To the best of my knowledge Borders never boycotted anything...

My understanding was that they removed from their shelves the issue of "Free Inquiry" magazine containing the Danish cartoons, but did not stop carrying the magazine. Seems a stupid thing to do, but muzlos are more to be reckoned with than christos.
Steve

http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=fi&page=index

Other Comments by steveroot

40. Comment #100344 by Gymnopedie on December 18, 2007 at 2:05 pm

Maybe I'm just dense here, but how is this offensive to Christians? I thought the complaint would be more along the lines of "bad taste" than outright offensive. Maybe someone can explain this one to me.

Other Comments by Gymnopedie

41. Comment #100347 by OrbitalMike on December 18, 2007 at 2:09 pm

"... I would have hoped that, in a society in which we are seeking to show respect to all people and beliefs, we might have grown out of this kind of nonsense."

This irritates me to no end. I completely support the notion of respecting all people, but I will NEVER respect superstitious, bronze age beliefs.

Tradition: Just Because You've Always Done It That Way Doesn't Mean It's Not Incredibly Stupid.

Other Comments by OrbitalMike

42. Comment #100351 by bobrobertsnz on December 18, 2007 at 2:14 pm

if the groups really boycott borders, they will hurt the store,
but as the christian groups are always in small factions, and fight amoungst themselves, they wont get their act together at all.... and borders have nothing to worry about...

Other Comments by bobrobertsnz

43. Comment #100359 by bruce on December 18, 2007 at 2:20 pm

"Our customers are intelligent, curious people who enjoy exploring all types of books and music."

Did anyone else see this statement as a slight jab at the religious sheep out there?

I don't really see how this bashes Christians? It's just simple word play on an expression. It doesn't say "Oh come, kill all Christians" or anything negative like that. Oh yeah, I forgot, if it doesn't praise God then it is negative by default.

Other Comments by bruce

44. Comment #100367 by Dundee Atheist on December 18, 2007 at 2:28 pm

When I saw this card in my local borders (that's right, the one that's hosted our very own wee flea talking about the rise of atheist publishing), my initial reaction was - brilliant - where can I buy a pack of these? I think we have a gap in the market...

Other Comments by Dundee Atheist

45. Comment #100368 by Northern Bright on December 18, 2007 at 2:29 pm

I'd have liked the card to say "Oh come all ye faithful". After all, they're the ones who should really be reading TGD. Wonder how the Christians would have reacted to that ;-)

Other Comments by Northern Bright

46. Comment #100371 by tatestreet on December 18, 2007 at 2:32 pm

"Christians have always been used to being punch bags...."

Must be opposite day.

Other Comments by tatestreet

47. Comment #100373 by mmurray on December 18, 2007 at 2:33 pm

I don't know of a single athiest who would object to a nativity scene in a school or other public place.

I would.

Michael

Other Comments by mmurray

48. Comment #100374 by briancoughlanworldcitizen on December 18, 2007 at 2:33 pm

45. Comment #100368 by Northern Bright on December 18, 2007 at 2:29 pm
avatarI'd have liked the card to say "Oh come all ye faithful. After all, they're the ones who should really be reading TGD. Wonder how the Christians would have reacted to that ;-)

Perhaps amended to :

Wise up all ye faithful,
you too can be agnostics,
of come ye and join our rational throng,

There is no Jesus,
To behold in Bethlehem,

O come let us ignore him
O come let us ignore him
O come let us ignore him
Christ isn't Real!

Jesus, Jehovah, Allah and Krishna
Let us consign them to the mass grave of myth,
Let them join Mithras, Zeus and Apollo

O come let's not adore them
O come let's not adore them
yes, come let us ignore them
None of it's real

Sing choirs of rationalist's
Sing in exhultation
The dark night of ignorance
is passing at last.
Let us rejoice,
for the triumph of reason

besides, religions boring
yes, infantile and boring
so, come let us ignore them
Time to get real

Other Comments by briancoughlanworldcitizen

49. Comment #100375 by briancoughlanworldcitizen on December 18, 2007 at 2:34 pm

47. Comment #100373 by mmurray on December 18, 2007 at 2:33 pm

I would.

Michael

Splitter!!

Other Comments by briancoughlanworldcitizen

50. Comment #100377 by Liveliest Crib on December 18, 2007 at 2:35 pm

in the spirit of Ambrose Bierce
THACKER'S GLOSSARY

"Come all ye faithful" cards --- a non-sectarian, non-denominational polite holiday greeting

"Come all ye faithless" cards --- bashing Christians over the head; using them as punching bags

"Merry Christmas" --- a simple expression of good will to all used throughout the months of November and December

"Happy Holidays" --- a phrase used as a tactic of war designed to stifle Christians' freedom throughout the months of November and December

Atheists --- petty, immature, murderous thugs who have willfully chosen to hate and mock Jesus Christ because of His righteousness

Christians --- decent people who, despite having majority status in Western societies and firm control over most Western governments, remain brutally oppressed in the Western world

Freedom of Religion --- teaching Christianity and creationism in public schools; keeping gay people out of public life and away from Christians in general

Establishment of Religion --- preventing Christians from indoctrinating children in public schools

Other Comments by Liveliest Crib