Atheists should share in spirit of season, too
Recently atheism has come under fire, this time in Washington state. In the spirit of equality, the state placed a number of decorations celebrating the various beliefs of the people of that state for this season. The display that's drawn the most outrage was one that quite smarmily and obnoxiously declared all the other entries as deluded fiction.
While I agree with the words of the plaque left at the Washington capitol, there is no question that the spirit of the display in question utterly lacked in taste and message.
For some atheists, December can be a trying month. The pressures that everyone faces in that brief span between Thanksgiving and Christmas are compounded by the belief that in the end there isn't anything behind all this stress and annoyance. One wonders why we simply don't treat December as the others.
But for all the doubt as to the reason for the holiday, it is possible for an atheist to love the spirit of the holiday. This is a time in which the cold winter night is scraped away with colorful stars, and the air is thick with music both warm and familiar. When one takes to baking cakes and cookies with a joy that otherwise simply isn't found in the year. When neighbors change from strangers to friends and every one smiles just a little bit more. It is a time that calls to the very best in us as human beings to be forgiving, charitable and kind.
And yes, it means an atheist must endure the occasional Merry Christmas, but why not be merry? It is the holidays! Why not share time with friends and family? Why not put aside petty arguments and for 31 days share in a spirit of humanity? Be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Yule, Kwanza, or simply greeting the New Year, set aside the chance to shock and thumb your nose at the beliefs of others. There's 334 more days for atheists to be right without ruining the party for everyone else.
DAVID BUSHEY
Minden
Performance of Messiah was uplifting
I was privileged to hear and thoroughly enjoy the performance of selections from Handel's Messiah performed by The Orchestra and Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area (TOCCATA) last evening (Dec. 22) accompanied by the Carson High School Concert Choir, and selected Carson Chamber singers, plus several CHS alumni and community singers who enjoy beautiful music.
It was a fabulous and uplifting performance and I daresay put everyone in the audience in the Christmas spirit. Even the audience joined in on two Christmas carols! It was a wonderful musical experience which cemented our reputation as an art town. I was so proud of our high school choir who sounded just wonderful.
I hope this group returns next year and that our citizens attend their performances at Lake Tahoe, as well. We need to support these groups if they are to continue to entertain us.
DIANNE SOLINGER
Carson City
Beloved family pet deserved better end
This open letter goes out to whoever ran over our chocolate Lab early Saturday morning, Dec. 20, and just drove off and left him. He was wearing a collar with tags and contact numbers. Why would you leave an animal in a ditch, broken, scared and alone in 10-degree temperatures without stopping and calling?
You were more than likely speeding and under the influence, but I don't care. Avoiding a dog in the road may not have been an option, but to leave him there very much alive is a disgusting and heartless act of cowardice. He was over 100 pounds and from the pieces of your car at the scene you knew you hit something.
This personal tragedy occurred on the corner of Vicky and Porter Drive. You were in the northbound lane, so I know you live in the area of Mission Hot Springs or Saratoga Springs or have friends there.
Bodie had to be put down. He is gone and nothing can change that. If you had bothered to call he might have had a fighting chance and my family wouldn't be in shambles. The fact that he got out was due to a faulty gate and was unintentional, but your act of selfishness will mark you the rest of your life.
If you can, call me at 721-1182 or e-mail me at dave@nvdave.com and explain your actions. If not, go and volunteer at the animal shelter, walk a dog, better yet adopt one and give it a good home. Our home is now cold and empty. Bodie was an amazing animal, gentle, strong and intelligent with an incredible zest for life. He did not deserve to be left in a ditch.
DAVID SHRIVER
Minden