Happy Atheist Day!

[Whitney]

The Christians have decided that April 1 is atheist day.  So...let's talk about the history of why April 1 is April Fools day.

Although the origins of April Fools day appear to be unknown, there are a lot of guesses.  Some are related to someone in charge changing the occurrence of the new year on the currently used calendar then people making fun of those who were not informed (nice, huh?).  Others are related to celebrating changes in season.

But, we're going to ignore those and look at a less often cited explanation of the date:

Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.

"In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor."

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html

So, thank you Christians for finally acknowledging that atheists are wise.

(yes, I purposely left off the part where the above quote was made up...April Fools)

[Recusant]

At least one blogger agrees with your idea of adopting  April 1st as an atheist holiday:

If we hijack this holiday and turn it into something positive for our movement it will be akin to turning lemons into lemonade. We should take this opportunity to make them eat their own words and gain a holiday out of it. Who doesn't love holidays? I think many of my fellow atheists would agree with me when I say that I would rather be called a fool than a Christian. In the past, many great men were called fools for their ideas only to be vindicated and found correct later. If pirates can have their own holiday we should too. Join me and help remove one more dull witted tool from Christianity's belt.

So, why not embrace April 1st as an international atheist holiday?

Since it seems likely that no matter what atheists do, the 1st of April will be associated with atheism for the forseeable future, I agree that it's the 'wiser' course to take it in good humor, rather than allowing it to rankle.  Actually, in a sense this has already taken place.  There's a San Francisco tradition known as Saint Stupid's Day, which, although not specifically atheist, does celebrate throwing off mental shackles, including religious ones.  After all, growling about it only plays into the hands of those who would try to ridicule non-believers.

[Whitney]

This video is appropriate for this thread and day:

[youtube:11k18xts]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdVucvo-kDU[/youtube:11k18xts]

[MommaSquid]

The origination of April Fool’s day is linked to the Gregorian calendar reforms.  Since for hundreds of years New Year’s Day fell at the end of March (tied to the Spring equinox), April 1 would have been at the conclusion of the week-long festivities celebrating the arrival of the new year.

After the reform, the backward country folk who still celebrated the New Year from late March to early April were called “April Fools” by their more knowledgeable neighbors, and became the butts of all sorts of jokes.

The above is summarized from The Dance of Time, The Origins of the Calendar by Michael Judge; pg 129.

This book is full of interesting tidbits about the calendar, ancient holidays, and the corruption of pagan rites by the church.

[Hitsumei]

I fall for everything on April fool's day. I keep forgetting that it is April fool's day, and will fall for half a dozen things every year before I can manage to remember to be extra incredulous that day.

[Recusant]

BUMP!

Many new members since last "Atheist Day."  Welcome, my fellow happy fools!   )

[Ihateyoumike]

Happy Atheist Day to all!  

[Recusant]

What the heck, might as well bump this venerable thread.  Happy Atheist Day to all the members of HAF.  

[Davin]

Happy Atheist Day!

[hismikeness]

This puts Atheist Day in context and why it is regarded as such on April 1st. At least this is where I first heard of it. I'm surprised my mom hasn't sent this email out yet this year...

Hooray For That Judge In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the
preparation for Easter and Passover holidays and decided to contact the
local ACLU about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant
celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays
while the atheists had no holiday to celebrate.

The ACLU jumped on the opportunity to once again pick up the cause of the
godless and assigned their sharpest attorneys to the case.

The case was brought before a wise judge who after listening to the long,
passionate presentation of the ACLU lawyers, promptly banged his gavel
and declared, "Case dismissed!"

The lead ACLU lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and
said, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? Surely the
Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. And the
Jews--why in addition to Passover they have Yom Kippur and Hanukkah...
and yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!"

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said "Obviously your
client is too confused to know about or for that matter even celebrate the
atheists' holiday!"

The ACLU lawyer pompously said "We are aware of no such holiday for
atheists, just when might that be, your honor?"

The judge said, "Well it comes every year on exactly the same
date---April 1st!"

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1

HOORAY FOR THAT JUDGE

[The Magic Pudding]

As an atheist fool I'd like to say thank you to the religious.
Some like to laugh at flatulence or fornication, but for me nothing is as funny as the faithful.  

[freeservant]

"In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor."

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html

So, thank you Christians for finally acknowledging that atheists are wise.

(yes, I purposely left off the part where the above quote was made up...April Fools)[/quote]


Ahh yes the wisdom of this day is apparent all year long for some.


Happy Day to all....   The Game