Freethought & Rationalism Archive

southernhybrid · 01-17-2003, 11:55 AM

I don't think this is really a violation issue. Father Flanigan is a cultural icon. His picture on a stamp doesn't offend me as an atheist. If a stamp said, "come to Jesus", that would offend me. That would be a battle worth fighting, IMO.

Amie · 01-17-2003, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Amie Would you think it making a mountain out of a molehill if say a

dictator's picture was distributed by the USA government via

stamps bought and paid for - solely supported by the public

monies? Especially, if the dictator was staunchly against your

religious beliefs or whatever belief - say the promotion of hunting

and killing animals for sport?

Personally I don't really care who is on the damn stamps, they're just stamps.

Blinn · 01-18-2003, 03:12 PM

I found this with a bit of googling:

Quote:

The U.S. Postal Service issued a four-cent stamp in July 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Father Flanagan�s birth. The stamp was part of the Great Americans Series, which honors outstanding Americans.

I don't see a problem with it. The guy was a good American who happened to be a priest.

While looking for an image of the Father Flanagan stamp, I came across the following - the USPS has issued at least three Madonna & child stamps during the holiday season:

Supposedly they're commemorating the art, not the icons.

RufusAtticus · 01-18-2003, 03:17 PM

Click to see all USPS holiday stamps!

Toto · 01-18-2003, 03:35 PM

There are also Hanukkah stamps and stamps to commemorate the Muslim feast of Eid , which make sense if the Post Office is going to raise revenue.

There are also stamps picturing Loony Tunes .

Nevertheless, putting a person's picture on a stamp does involve a certain amount of honor and endorsement of their place in history, which is why there is a special commission and rules and regulations surrounding those stamps.

01-18-2003, 03:17 PM	#14
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Happy Lunar New Year! Click to see all USPS holiday stamps!

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01-17-2003, 11:55 AM	#11
southernhybrid Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: heavenly Georgia Posts: 3,862	I don't think this is really a violation issue. Father Flanigan is a cultural icon. His picture on a stamp doesn't offend me as an atheist. If a stamp said, "come to Jesus", that would offend me. That would be a battle worth fighting, IMO.

01-18-2003, 03:35 PM	#15
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	There are also Hanukkah stamps and stamps to commemorate the Muslim feast of Eid , which make sense if the Post Office is going to raise revenue. There are also stamps picturing Loony Tunes . Nevertheless, putting a person's picture on a stamp does involve a certain amount of honor and endorsement of their place in history, which is why there is a special commission and rules and regulations surrounding those stamps.

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