Reader comments
Gas company won't display yule cross

Good for Mr. Jones. I would much rather do business that a company that leaves personal religious beliefs at home rather than parading them in front of the world.

It was really the only decision a prudent business person could make.

Ok Jeff (guy quoted in article as opposed to the decision) let's by all means get Christ back into Christmas and while were at it put Muhammed back into Eid (this time of year as well) and Moses back in Hannukah (Jewish holiday this time of year) and some pagan deities back into Winter Solstice (also this time of year) ... bet you'd like that eh Jeffro?

Mithra, and several other ancient gods', birthdays are December 25th, not Jesus'.The Bible alludes to the fact that Jesus was not born in December. Therefore, not only does Christ not belong "back" in Christmas, he never really belonged there in the first place. Either that or Christmas does not belong on December 25th. The church "hijacked" the December 25th date from pagan religions instead of creating their own "holiday". HOWEVER, Texas Gas is a privately owned (as opposed to government owned) company. The decision on whether or not to display religious symbols on their property lies with them. It is an internal matter. Legally, they are free to display them. I, however, applaud their decision not to honor a myth.

This may seem very contradictory. I feel as an atheist that if a person wants to or doesn't want to place a religious symbol up is up to them. I personally decorate for the Winter Solstice and all of my decorations are purely secular. I don't find it offensive if someone says Merry Christmas or the like to me. Where I work we sold Christmas trees this year. I am glad that the company didn't decided to call them Holiday trees. Again let me reiterate that I am an atheist and find nothing wrong with a company, private person displaying religious symbols. As for placing them in governmental offices or land that is a different story that I won't go into. I for one will be celebrating the Winter Solstice with my family and loved ones this year and hope that all who are religious or not have a safe Solstice, Christmas, Eid, Hanukkah, what ever holiday one observes.
Bruce

"Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contributions."

Ulysses S. Grant

Frankly, I've never heard of a "yule cross". Supposedly, Christmas marks Christ's birth, yet the cross is a symbol of his death. Seems contradictory to me. Are you celebrating his birth or commemorating his death? Either way, Christmas trees and wreaths and other such decorations are symbols of the secular aspect of the season due to their pagan roots. As such, I as an ahteist, have no problem with them. Similarly, I have no problem with the term "Christmas", since it has become a generalized term for the season in the same way "Kleenex" is a generalized term for tissues or "Xerox" for photocopiers of any brand. An example of this is "Christmas tree" which combines elements of both the sacred aspect (the word Christmas denoting Christ) and the secular (a pagan tree). Christmas despite it's name, has more pagan aspects than secular, and owes it's popularity to commercialism anyway. Wasn't that long ago Chrstians tried to ban Christmas anyway, now they want to monopolize it. Another example of christian hypocrisy.

I think its great! If you want to practice a religion fine do it at home on your own time. As an Atheist I would be upset to work there where someone else is displaying a symbol that has nothing to do with the work I do and would indicate my support of religion and a specific relgion at that. Religion is a private matter, don't force it on others.

I work and live in the "Bible Belt" and see nothing wrong with people displaying religious things. Where I work we have many people put up religious sayings holiday cards, and letters of thank you from churches in the area for donations that we make. I am an atheist as well and don't feel the least bit offended. If it is a public building like a court house, city hall or any sort of government establishment then no I don't think that religious things should be displayed. Don't get me wrong I would ultimately like to see people come to the truth and realize that there is no god or higher power. But I also realize that some people need to have something to believe in to get through life and be happy. I find that I am happier now that I have come out as an atheist.

Well done, Texas Gas! Highly commendable behavior to accept all people of al beliefs into your domain.

Good job. Religion should always be kept private, no matter what the religion is. Mainstream religious beliefs do not make them better than any other belief system. I congratulate the company for taking the initative for maybe they will set an example for other businesses and people alike.

Bravooooo!!!!

I am very glad to see that america is beginning to free themselves from religion.

The time of religion is over. There is no need to delude ourselves with lies anymore. As a Canadian I am glad to see that our southern brethren are also embracing freedom from religion.

(Christmas is a pagan celebration, by the way, to all those Christians who thought it was theirs.)

I am a Canadian. My philosophy is of Humanism, Transhumanism, and Atheism. I am a left-wing libertarian. I support a peaceful, united humanity free from religion and racism, on a planet with a clean environment, and if all the people of the world were to unite follow this idea, then perhaps we could end such a great deal of suffering.

Vote for the Green Party!

Very glad to know this CEO was kind enough not to put up a cross, I hate christmas for that very reason. For one month religon is forced on us and we are suposed to like it.

I am disappoint actually, I don't think that religion in America is a bad thing. It teaches good morals and gives people reason. I am an atheist for no other reason than the fact that I don't believe in a diety. I don't feel that I have the right to tell others how to believe or complain about some cross somewhere. And Christmas was born from Christianity Henry, no one is forcing religion on you. You are not a target. They are just celebrating what they believe. Believe what you want to believe and allow others to do the same. Christianity is not destroying America, the government is. I am with Bruce on this topic.

I find it offensive to have someone's religious beliefs shoved in my face. Why is it allright to put huge crosses up, some right in my walking path when I can't put a "garage sale" sign up without a city permit? Good for Mr. Jones. And another thing,I am all for religious institutions paying their fair share of taxes like the rest of us do. These houses of religion should be self supportiing.

I don't see anyone hanging a big atheist symbol up anywhere. However, it's not illegal. We have the same rights they do.

Texas Gas is taking a step in the right direction. Religion is a personal activity, and has no place being pushed in business. If TG employees want to put little crosses or miniature trees in their cubicles and offices, that's great, and they should be allowed to do that. I agree that the presentation of business should be neutral. After all, it's not Texas Christian Gas, just Texas Gas. So, way to go Texas Gas! Glad to see that somebody out there in the business world is taking a respectful stance towards the rights of all our citizens! And by the way, it's not a yule cross, it's a Christian cross. Yule is celebrated with evergreen trees and wreaths :)

Hi guys. I am a christian, and want to say thank you to Chase and Bruce. Although Texas gas has the right to do so. I don't think it is pushing religious beleifs on anybody. All it's saying is that that's what they believe and nothing more.

First of all, they have every right to put up a cross, because it is a private company. Secondly, I think people are going overboard with this new politically correct world a few on the left want us to live in. Does somebody wishing you a Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukuh really offend you atheists. All you have to do is kindly wish us a happy solstice in turn, and everybody is happy. Religion really is the greatest thing that happened to this world. It brings out the best qualities of humanity in those who follow it (except of course for a small number of extremists).
I truly believe they should keep the sign. If nothing else, for tradition's sake; it has been up four generations.
To all those atheists who think they are under attack in America, you are wrong. The only thing being hijacked is Christianity, morality, and all races of religion, until we are left with a society devoid of peace, love, justice, compassion, charity, humility and grace.
May Jesus bless EVERYONE this CHRISTmas season and bring all our atheists brothers and sisters who have gone astray back into our Christian family so we may celebrate together.

Christians have strayed so far from the teachings of Jesus Christ that I don't see how they can really call themselves Christians. Their only connection to Christ
is that they believe in him. They preach love thy neighbor, but will cut his throat if he openly denies their beliefs. We don't need crosses to remind the non-believers of this fact.