Atheists' Billboard Causes Controversy

Jim Watters · Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:56 pm

So how do you explain to little kids what Christ-mas is about? Just the old Satan, er Santa Claus knows when you've been bad or good myth?

video.foxnews.com/v/4436002/atheists-bi ... ntroversy-

President Camacho · Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:06 pm

lol... that's what atheists do - fight religion. They love to argue. You know how to make an atheist happy? Get him a highly religious friend for christmas. It will keep him busy the whole year through!

Jim Watters · Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:34 pm

While not highly religious, I provide Chris some debate.

I imagine closet-atheist is a common term used by atheists?

President Camacho · Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:39 pm

Yeah, where did that come from? That was a little fruity. Godless fag isn't something he should be trying insinuate unless he wants every priest in a 100 mile radius on his ass. ... hmmm...

Chris OConnor · Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:56 am

stahrwe · Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:24 am


	President Camacho wrote: Yeah, where did that come from? That was a little fruity. Godless fag isn't something he should be trying insinuate unless he wants every priest in a 100 mile radius on his ass. ... hmmm...

Actually I saw some guy names Silverstein, I think (I reserve the right to edit the name later) from the National Atheists of America. He was on FoxNews (pause for groans) explaining the Billboard compaign, see attached picture. One of their goals was to get 'closet atheists' to come out to family and friends.


	Attachment: atheistbillboard.jpg [ 93.73 KiB \| Viewed 852 times ]

Actually, I support the depiction on the Billboard. It is correct that it is a myth that the wise men visited the baby Jesus in the manger. That was the shepherds. The wisement showed up about two years later. It is also a myth that there were three.

Next year they should hire me, I could consult with them so that their billboards don't contain obvious errors that confuse the issue.

that was supposed to be funny.

laurcunningham · Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:07 pm

I was so happy to see those "controversial billboards" right here in Tulsa. It gave a fantastic sigh of relief.

DWill · Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:20 pm

This year in the town where I work, there were set up in the courthouse square several signs sponsored by American Atheists and Freedom from Religion, promoting reason and giving the genealogy of the Christian religion. This was the result of a challenge to the creche that is always also erected there. The town isn't a liberal hotbed, so it was a bit surprising to see this. I think these alternative messages are best when they state something positive or educational. Anti-Christianity signs aren't as effective.

laurcunningham · Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:02 pm


	DWill wrote: This year in the town where I work, there were set up in the courthouse square several signs sponsored by American Atheists and Freedom from Religion, promoting reason and giving the genealogy of the Christian religion. This was the result of a challenge to the creche that is always also erected there. The town isn't a liberal hotbed, so it was a bit surprising to see this. I think these alternative messages are best when they state something positive or educational. Anti-Christianity signs aren't as effective.

In the same sense, however, anti-atheism signs aren't as effective either, however they're presented. If people who do not believe in god get to be disrespected, than people who do believe in god have no room to complain about the "disrespect" these signs showed them.

Saffron · Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:58 pm


	DWill wrote: This year in the town where I work, there were set up in the courthouse square several signs sponsored by American Atheists and Freedom from Religion, promoting reason and giving the genealogy of the Christian religion. This was the result of a challenge to the creche that is always also erected there. The town isn't a liberal hotbed, so it was a bit surprising to see this. I think these alternative messages are best when they state something positive or educational. Anti-Christianity signs aren't as effective.

There was a front page article in the Leesburg Today. I left it on your desk. I think there was a total of 8 signs by Christmas day. And here is a fox news report on Leesburg Cour House signs --

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/n ... use-121210

Squelch · Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:05 pm

There's one big problem with the ads: they break the first and most important rule of advertising - don't give your competitors air time. The more you talk about your competitors, even if you're slating them, the more exposure they get and the more sales they make.

To sell your own product (sorry to refer to atheism as a "product", I hope you know what I mean here), advertise its positive aspects. Atheism has so much to offer people as individuals and society as a whole, and even religions, that surely it's a shame not to say how great it is?

lady of shallot · Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:13 pm

So glad to meet a like thinker!

Squelch · Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:37 pm

Well I'm delighted to meet you too. Whether and what you think, I will look forward to finding out...

lady of shallot · Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:41 pm

Oh dear I hope I think! at least my brain seems sometimes occupied. I meant a like thinker in being atheist!

JulianTheApostate · Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:38 am

I think the billboards are great. Considering how much of a voice Christians and other theists have in the national discourse, it's cool having a billboard saying what I believe. It's probably similar to the way homosexuals feel about a Gay Pride parade.

And I think a billboard like that helps the atheist cause. It's an ego boost for diehard atheists like myself. It can nudge people who are uncertain about their beliefs in an atheist direction, or make people who go to church due to social pressure (closet atheists) less likely to do so. Very religious people will be offended, but such people won't become atheists anyway.

Also, there's an important subtext behind the billboard: that it's acceptable for atheists to proudly proclaim their fundamental belief: that religion consists of a bunch of myths. In the original poster's video, some of the interviewees were upset that atheists dare to express their sincere opinions. However, that's part of the point: when advocating for a cause, you can't act as though you're embarrassed by it. It would be nice if the national discourse had room for people who challenged religion.

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