Atheist bilboard comes to the bible belt

170 foot tall cross in texas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evmekg0dp6o

He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave. - William Drummond

http://www.bspcn.com/2008/08/25/101-atheist-quotes/

Father Wilson says if you don't believe in god then you're alone which is great for me because I really don't need some holy ghost hanging around nagging me about wearing clothes made of more than one fabric, letting my cattle graze with other kinds of cattle, getting my "red wings" renewed, eating bacon, or putting my son in time-out instead of stoning him.

And people who say, "you don't really have to follow the weird laws of the old testament." I say that's heresy and lots of people died in the Spanish inquisition thanks to playing fast and loose with the laws of the bible.

I've invented my own religion where god prefers to be spelled "gawd" and he is a guy, but very effeminate. He also doesn't care which religion you choose but the only way you can get into to heaven is to follow your chosen religion to the letter. There is no hell, you just keep getting reincarnated as an MLM fanatic until you get your chosen religion right. Since my gawd doesn't require I believe in him as part of my religion nor have any rules, people often confuse me for an atheist.

Someone on here said that the bible is the most reliable history book known to man due to the world's standards.

Go down to the library, do some investigating. Look up Emperor Constantine, and everything he did in the throughout his reign after conquering Rome.

He did some pretty interesting things as a Pagan, such as legalizing Christianity, moving all the Christian Holidays to coincide with Pagan holidays, and even canonizing the Bible. What's interesting is the process of canonization : 2/3'rds of the original texts were removed and edited for reasons such as repetition, but also designing a book to control a mass population.

Then look at what major books were specifically left out, and read a few. My favorites were the book of Enoch, The Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Judas. What's interesting about Mary's is that Jesus actually describes modern scientific fact such as electrcity and molecular structure (in then modern day lamen's terms) yet it was left out due to the female gender's inferiority as viewed by males at the time. If it had been left in, it would only reaffirm the entire book's message today by validating our common day science.

But then again, such a historically accurate book couldn't be so flawed or contradictory.

you know what offends me? all the grammatical and spelling errors in these posts.

i feel so alone

The billboard is not trying to convert you. It clearly is addressed to fellow atheists and you can't convert an atheist to atheism.
If you believe that by announcing you are atheist you are somehow conveying a convincing premise for an argument, then you are of a simple mind to be swayed by the "well he does it" argument.
There is no valid point in that, so how can it possibly be an attempt to convert? ITS NOT. It's simply saying "If you are of the same opinion on this topic, you will find like minds here." Are you opposing the atheist's RIGHT to peacable assembly? If so, you are unAmerican and should feel ashamed for spitting on our forefathers!

i believe what i see... so far i haven't seen god... just read about him in a book of fairytales

The religious folks always hide from things that make them have tough, adult thoughts. They hide from things that make them have to think. It is wrong that there are millions of atheists who are ignored and berated for our beliefs. Our ideas are based on facts and reality. Religious ideas are based on fear and oppression. You cannot pretend a group in society doesn't exist just because you don't like their philosophy. This is NOT a christian nation. This is NOT a religious nation. This is America. If you want to live in a country where the religions rule the people then you should move to Afghanistan.

I think when people say god is real; as a psychiatrist I can tell they are very afraid/insecure grasping at fairy tales. Fortunatly I have had many people to read other books, some much older than the bible and now they are no longer dependant on such folly.

their within their rights, and im all for em

they know there were trying to spark something though

the problem with most "Christians" today is that they dont actually show God's love in a presentable way...the way that He intended it to be.So when catholic and lutheran and some "evangelistic" churches tell everyone that if they dont become a Christian they will burn in hell,you can expect a hell of a lot of people to be offended. The traditional "Christians" show the become Christian or go to hell as there number one argument and the atheists and agnostics say thats not real so it wont happen to me as there argument.So were all stuck in this neverending debate and what we really need to do is just tell eachother every thing is fine and that we all just need to love eachother.

God Bless
One Love

yes, this is not a convertion sign. It scares christians that reality is finally here, now other non christians can inquire into the Orginazation find each other with the GROW. While non "believers' have the Constitution behind us. No prayer, Women can abort for free the government pys for it.

I will remind people that religeon can NOT be taught in public schools because, come on now we know the earths not flat we have evolved to the point of knowing the fact "the big bang". It can be proven so our government doe's not the rest of the world to view us as believing in an invisable deity. My billboard will read stay in school past 9th grade.

After seeing this, I realize that Atheists are childish people that are so insecure about not believing in anything that they form organizations that pull stupid crap like this. Their next move... the formation of the Church of United Atheists ;). This is the dumbest thing I've seen all year, and that is saying a lot.

18% of Americans identify themselves as non-religous, this number grows all the time. Me thinks this number grows the more people are educated and/or educate themselves, faith being the opposite of knowledge and all.

We need this movement in america, the fad of fundamentalism / born again christianity has become a problem for all middle of the road americans. we can only tolerate so much.

how can we expect moderate muslims to fight extremist Islam in their own communities if we don't fight extreme Christianity here? To that point the billboard is a very mild jab at the heart of the Christianity cult that is the south.

I guess they don't like it much when the shoes on the other foot, tough titty.

when i am forced to look at signs carried by christian of dead babies, as I work near the LEGAL planned parenthood office. which is more offencive to the people and children that walk by. I want a billboard that say's, ABORTIONS FREE if your a minor.(since the Hyypa privacy act is law too), or Abortions are Legal thats the law and christians are supposed to obey the laws of the are. this sign where it is is a sign that people are getting smarter thru science, that sign could not of gotten up 5 yrs ago.

Isn't that kind of a road hazard? After all nothing happens when you die. Might as well run off the road.

Woot! Woot! Score one for the religious minority!

I live in Charleston and I know how important/controversial this really is to the small city. Charleston, while in the bible belt, is one of the few places in South Carolina that is highly diversified and is continually trying to break the mold of a traditional city in the bible belt. I feel that it is an important issue to have out in our community and I say thank you. Thank you for showing that there is more opinions than the popular one. We all have a right to believe whatever we choose and I am so excited and grateful that we are expressing that right!

can we out one up in my city? :D

I think religion needs to be taken down a notch, too many people are under the assumption that there's only one way of life, and often forget about us "hethens" who don't believe in the tooth fairy. Religion plays a large enough role in our government, that even the president has to be a man of faith to be elected. No more god in government, and no more business either!

It's nice to live in America.
You have the freedom to voice out your opinion especially if you have the budget for it.

how is that offensive? it doesn't say... people who believe are stupid, or that god is a myth, or anything that is ACTUALLY offensive. it just say's that IF you don't believe, you're not the only one... HOW is THAT offensive?

also it's about time they get a taste of their own medicine.

wow

John Guest has a radio show in Pittsburgh. This holy guy has billboards every 5 miles. It's a free country, get over it people.

I live in charleston, and let me tell you people here in the conservative south are pretty upset with this whole matter. Believe what you want, one billboard isn't going to make me believe or not believe in an issue. We need to be able to intellectually think and make decisions for ourselves as individuals not what the majority wants.

religion is bs.

Religion only causes trouble.

When people who don't believe in a god say something they always make a big deal out of it.

Born and raised Baptist in the south. Whether it was college, my friends, or my own awakening, I am over the whole religion thing. Every major war (battle) has had some religious reasoning behind it. Even the oil wars of today are segregated by religious beliefs. Seems to me like the religion does nothing but destroy people.

I'm an Atheist and I have no problem with believers. I don't appreciate how believers say they accept "us" but then tell us stuff like we're alone, or we're missing something in life because in essence, they're judging us for it... which is totally hypocritical of them because I'm pretty sure their book says that only God has the right to judge; so who are they to say anything, really?

Every one of us have the right to believe or disbelieve and the freedom to express it.

I don't understand what the hoopla as for. I as a non believer have been subjected to many Pro- Christian, and Pro Religion billboards. It doesn't offend me as a non believer, because it's not aimed at me. But I find it ironic that many of the pro religion movements do not like that others have the right to promote the acceptance of being a non believer. I mean, Christians are usually so determined to force and impose their beliefs on you, that they will actually come and bang on your door and interrupt your day to do so. I say the sign is perfect for it's message, that their are many who don't believe , and that you shouldn't feel like a horrible human being because of it. Even if you live in the thick of a ton of folks who do.

"said Mike Anderson, a firm believer in God." ?

Sounds like "Mike Anderson, a firm believer in UFOs." :D

This sign is not bad and not much to kick a fuss over and make horrendously bad arguments (I'm speaking to both sides here). It's just reaching out to the similar-minded folks not converting or condemning or condescending - was it really put up by atheists;)

Personally though I feel billboards should only relate to what's up ahead on the road. How is this billboard going to help me find an IHOP?

All this outrage from the religions that put photos of aborted fetus' on billboards. What totally brainwashed hypocrites they are!

This is a question to both groups, do you have many friends that either do believe or don't? People are selfish and we are going to live in the way that suits us. I truly believe that if you believe in God then you should do it. If you do not believe in God then don't. People either turn away from or turn to religion based on personal experience ranging from being molested, prison, drugs, people, ex's and so on and so on. I don't think any of you who believe or don't believe are wrong. Your both right for your own experience. I am agnostic, but I wish to see both of your sides, I like learning what either believing or not believing means to you. I don't like having your ways of thinking forced on me, but I try to keep an open mind. Both sides have faults, everyone should be able to see and admit this. One of the founding ideas this country was built on was the pursuit of happiness, no one has the right to take it away. Both sides here have shown that you can have actual conversations without trying to kill one another, while others here have lashed out and shown that some people will never grow up. We all have ideas that we wish to share with one another, and we have an ability to disagree but at the same time respect the others opinion. do find it interesting that the ones who are lashing out will most likely never even meet the person they are attacking. It's funny for me to think about them getting upset and yelling at the computer screen.

Unlike my theist counterparts I am not, nor will I ever be motivated to kill in order to spread my philosophy. Religions teach hate, murder and oppression. Atheists point those facts out as often as possible. In return the theists attempt to oppress any opposition to their power. Atheists respond by reminding everyone that America is not a Taliban nation. All religions are the same stink from different assholes.

Religion is programmed ignorance.

XVX for life, R.A.S.H. 'til death.

I go to a Christian church regularly and while I was an agnostic for many years certain experiences over the course of my life have led me to be a "believer" more often than not. I know that some people who claim to be religious would find that degree of faith to be "unacceptable." Who cares? One's faith is just about as deeply personal and unique as any attribute can be.

I can't see how this billboard would be offensive to anyone for any reason. The only thing it is advocating as far as I can see is tolerance. If you are intolerant you are by definition not a Christian, regardless of what you may call yourself. Jesus made a point of showing his love to the most reviled figures of his age's culture: Lepers and tax collectors. My only recollection of him every being truly angry in the Bible, for example, is when he chased the moneylenders from the temple. Those moneylenders...they STILL aren't doing much to make themselves popular, are they?

The lepers and tax collectors in our age have been replaced by homosexuals and, apparently, atheists. Jesus would have loved them. The fact that many who call themselves Christians would consider those words to be blasphemy is truly, truly sad. Such people take short phrases out of context from the Bible to "prove" that God hated homosexuals, for example, when the entire New Testament is intended to deliver Jesus' message of love and tolerance.

Of course, there are still many days when I wake up or go to bed thinking that Christianity is an elaborate fairly tale made up to make people feel less alone and less desolate about the finality of death that awaits us all. Jesus would not have had any problem with that, either. He says repeatedly that He actually EXPECTS us to be imperfect and to doubt. And frankly, I would think that any other kind of God would have a real uphill battle arousing faith among most people, because human nature is to doubt -- and above ALL human nature is to be imperfect and to make mistakes.

I wonder if the self-proclaimed Christians who are up in arms over this billboard have even the slightest inkling just how hypocritical they appear. Virtually every church as advertisments in the newspaper and in the telephone directory. Some have billboards of their own or at least sign boards hanging over the street just outside, often with clever little sayings like if you don't know God you really have no idea where you are going. And some of the "wealthier" churches even have television commercials. And they are objecting to a billboard that does not even ADVOCATE atheism but merely asks for tolerance? And if one's goal is (as most churches teach) to ultimately bring those atheists back to God's love, is reacting with intolerance and derision to this simple billboard the best way to impress these people that they have made a terrible mistake? Gosh, if they would just come back to church, THEY could sit around and throw rocks (literal and figurative) at billboards in their spare time too! Sigh.

I think the question being asked here is the height of absurdity. The billboard is saying nothing more than "You are not alone" to those couldn't help but feel alone in a bible belt state like SC. How could that possibly be "going too far?"

It doesn't attack or criticize in any way, and certainly doesn't persecute, as so many xtians prefer to see themselves. What's going too far is this asinine question; it's insulting.

The number of fuckshit retarded replies in this pod is a testament to the intolerance of most religious people.

The billboard says "You're not alone" and provides support.

THAT'S. IT.

Pray tell Christians, how in the fuck would that ever offend you?

If the fact that atheists exist, talk to each other and provide support for one another honestly makes your blood boil, you need to have your head screwed on straight.

Better yet, go read your bible. You know the part about love they neighbor? It's still in there.

what a day that will be when folks
come to realize that the Most High One God is real and
JUDGEMENT WILL BE
trust that

peace-in

How nice, I have had christianity bombarded my way when I was'nt successesfull so all the middle class and poor are gulible.
You Never hear wealthy people talk about a fairy tale, except people in media , sports,music all think there must be majic because they got lucky to X point in their carrier.

To believe a deception is not a positive thing.

The bible is a collection of fairy tales so fantastic as to be literally unbelievable.

Human beings are animals, like dogs and elephants and monkeys. We die and our flesh rots. To believe otherwise is simple denial.

There is no god, no heaven or hell, no life after death. To teach a child such things is child abuse. To believe such things indicates either a weakness of intellect, or will, or both.

Be brave; be strong; be an atheist!

It's really quite sad. People who have no hope trying to take more people along with them. Even if one harbors some doubt, it's far more positive to believe in God than not. Hey, eternity? Smoking or non-smoking? It's for a far longer time than we spend on earth. Besides, eternal life doesn't begin when you die. It begins when you believe. And the bible is not a piece of fiction. Using the world's standards, it's the most reliable history book known to man.

I once was one to say that evangelical-atheism -if you will- and evangelical-Christians were as bad as one another, but really, in the States, where is the alternative?

Basically atheists want to turn the States, a predominately, almost extreme-religious nation into a nation more like the rest of the west, where religion is seen as a private, personal choice, and simply going on about it brands you as nutty, whereas you're respected if you just keep it to yourself and your own Christian circle and church.

In many nations in the west Christians have even become the minority. In most, a politician talking about his or her religious faith would brand him or her as screwy and people wouldn't elect them, whereas if they were aware of it but he/she didn't bring it up, they wouldn't hold it against them.

The only way that can be achieved in the States is by fighting fire with fire. The only way for this to be achieved is by, yes, destruction. I am not atheist and prefer the term irreligious for myself rather than agnostic, but I support and may even assist atheists on their crusade for destroying and undermining religion in the States in order to bring about a nation with a moderate, more sensible view toward religion that resembles much of the other western nations.

I have respect for Christianity, but in the States it needs to be attacked and brought down somewhat. It needs to be put in its place.

The enemy of my enemy...

i am a Christian myself and this doesn't offend me, we live in the United States and all have the right to worship freely. When the atheists start to harass those that DO practice a religion, then that is wrong. No one should try to stop others from worshiping. Religion doesn't destroy people, humanity itself destroys people.

I really like the fact that these sort of billboards are spreading across the ocean

It's only fair.

The sign is't all that bad. True, It's shocking. But, a billboard is meant to catch the eye. I just have never seen anything like that before.
we have been given the ability to believe, have faith, let our minds wonder into the great unknown. That is what makes humanity so great. That is what makes one individual different from the next. I don't understand why some try to limit that.
I have never encountered two people who have had the same exact inturpretation of the bible or their beliefs. Everyone has a different outlook.

As far as I'm concerned believers and non believers can put up all the signs they want to. It doesn't bother me because it can be entertaining to watch these two fanatical groups go bananas over each other's beliefs.

I love watching the Religious scramble...

This billboard is equivalent to all their daily evangelizing, but they whine as if it's a different matter.

Fair is fair!

more of these need to be put up in the midwest.

religious groups can put up a sign that says "hell is real" so this is no were even close to being over the line.

this is free speech.......................thats really all here no.

i don't believe in atheists so i guess they dont exist

This is awesome!! There is nothing wrong with this.

"Jesus Christ is NOT a swear word!"

Uh, yeah it is ... I use it all the time!

I will support banning atheist advertising as soon as they agree to ban all religious advertising. I never had an atheist come to my door but plenty of people have visited my home to bring the news of their God to me.

When Jesus returns, ie: when the Mother-Ship makes it back to this quadrant of The Galaxy (remember Einsteins' theories about the space/time continuim), I think it's going to be vastly amusing to some of Us (if it occurs while We're still here, who the hell knows) that their FIRST action will probably be to zap all the Religious Fundamentalist Radio/TV/Media Broadcast/Cable Providers with Photon Torpedos....Regardless of WHICH Religion is being promulgated...

Good point Nordman. Radical believers, whether Christian, Muslim or whatever are often as bad (evil) as those they criticize or purport to try and save.

Folks should keep in mind that when you think you have the answer, it is precisely the moment that you are wrong. Spiritual learning should be eternal--unless, of course, you believe that "you" are a god.

It is people that wear crosses that say's I follow blindly.
If a loved one was shot, would you wear a gun around your neck?
chrstians like "the church"are disapearing, even 15 yrs ago it would have not even gotte'n up, but the People now know there is no" possesion" it's called bi polar or other mental illnesses that the people who Killed you if you did not believe the world was flat, not to mention the inquisition how many million Murderd out of the same ignorance you believe now, look at a globe, the rest of the world, Not christaian

I have been all around this great country of ours; and I have seen signs in just about every state and city that I have visited touting christian beliefs and slogans. I see no reason why a humanist organization can't do the same if they so desire. I am sure that secular humanist are equally offended at the christian signs and slogans they have to view everywhere they go.

bunk

Now, I don't consider myself an atheist at ALL, but at the same time, I don't identify with religious dogma, because its main purpose is political control.

What gets me about pious people, is that they willingly ignore reason, and spew rhetoric as if it's absolute fact. I may feel that atheists are misguided, but religious fundamentalists have their heads buried in the sand.

I'm still trying to figure out when everyone will see the hypocrisy in all of this. if you are a believer, why do you pretend that we (lowly humans) can think for or represent an omnipotent being--knowing what he/she/it thinks or wants (remember, the "book" was written by man, not God). And, if you are a non-believer, why do you care?

Does ANYBODY realize that putting thoughts into God's head is not possible?

Think about it. God is transcendent and entirely NOT understandable by humans.

By saying that "God believes in you" is actually taking the Lord's name in vain. You or I or Father Gregory Wilson, are simply unequipped to ascribe human attributes to God.

And if in fact, there is no God, then there is nothing to ascribe those human attributes to.

I have less problem with atheists than with mal-theists, no matter how well intentioned they think they are.

I don't think its right to put billboards up like this (especially as its obviously placed there to piss the religious populous off) but its just as bad putting up a religious billboard up as it will have the same effect on people who chose to believe in a different religion or none at all.

This is not the way to spread your faith, its pathetic from both sides

"Am I my brothers keeper?"

Someone said calling christians names souned like an Attack. Are you kidding Every thing out of christains mouth is an attack, 'You re going to hell!", "Your Religeon is not the true one so watch out, your god comes with threats of no afterlife, Now who attacks

Zealotry on either end is totally unappealing.

This bill board is totally innocuous. Or at least it would be if not for the believers who are totally off the deep end making a big deal about this.

Sorry believers, but science and reason are eroding your constituency, and a bigger and bigger percentage of your followers come from the bottom of the barrel. Sure it sucks, but it's your own fault. Get over it.

christains bombard everyone with their mythology ,and think it is a Religeon what a joke.
The Pagan Religeons are what christains built their beliefs ie.. Isis wife and mother of God Osiris, concieved te son of God Horus through imaculate conception. That was and is the Egyption Religeon, 5,000 years before
christaians go to colledge see for yourself So pious,Watch Out we have something called "Science"..