The video linked shows the host Stuart Varney and his guest David Silverman debating whether or not saying ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holidays’ is offensive.

Kind of a silly thing to debate, I must say.

However, the host opens up by saying that he gave to the Salvation Army twice and they said ‘Happy Holidays’ to him instead of ‘Merry Christmas’. He got a bit bent out of shape. I guess the Salvation Army in his neck of the woods prefers to include everyone, instead of assuming that everyone is a Christian. Silverman argues that a Christian organization has discovered that being inclusive is both ethical and good business.

The host (Varney) then goes on to bring up the atheist billboards, specifically the one that says ‘Keep the Merry. Dump the Myth’. He says it is offensive.

Okay, I sort of have to side with Varney on this one. Let me explain why. At the beginning, Silverman argues that if Varney knows he isn’t religious and says Merry Christmas anyways, that he’s deliberately being offensive. I think Varney is basically saying the same thing with regards to the billboard – if the atheists know that a majority of Americans are religious, putting up a billboard calling it a myth is also offensive. It’s a sure bet that it’s going to ruffle some religious feathers, which is exactly why they do it. It’s visible and breaks what many think of as a norm.

Silverman addresses that by saying that there are plenty of Christian billboards up that are offensive to atheists and they too have a right to have them up.

Okay, fair enough.

Moving right along…

The one thing that struck me about this video is how they won’t let Silverman get a word in edge-wise. They also seem very smug and condescending towards him. They laugh whenever he makes a point and cut him off whenever he tries.

Then Varney goes crazy. This is what he said, along with Silverman’s responses:

Varney: … Madalyn Murray O’Hair…

Silverman: Madalyn Murray O’Hair founded American Atheists in 1963.

Varney: She was murdered, wasn’t she?

Silverman: Yes.

Varney: For her money!

Silverman: Yes.

Varney: What do you care? She’s dead, right?

Silverman: Of course I care. How in the world can you say that? How in the world can you say that?! What a bigoted thing to say! That I don’t care about people dying because I’m an atheist?

Varney (talking over Silverman): Well, is it true–? Is it true–? Hold on a second. Is it– God forbid, I should offend you. No, Heaven forbid I should offend you. [Laughing]

Silverman: You should not offend anybody! You should try to not offend people. But that doesn’t mean–

Varney: [Laughing] See, I’ve got to! I’ve got to!

Silverman: You’re not letting me speak, and it does get to me…

Varney: [Laughing] But you offended me with your billboard!

Wow. I guess Varney doesn’t think atheists care when someone dies. Just because we don’t happen to believe in their particular brand of religion, we have no feelings, hopes, wants or love for other human beings. We must be soulless, empty husks.

What an insensitive, ignorant thing to say.

FOX News does it again!