Atheist Billboards Set to Delight Atheists, Piss Off Religious People

**witchcurlgirl** · March 5th, 2012, 11:23 AM

Atheist Billboards Set to Delight Atheists, Piss Off Religious People

The atheist group American Atheists has raised enough money to start spreading the word — not to be confused with "The Word" — about atheism. Billboards declaring that God is "a myth" will go up in Muslim and Jewish communities in New York.

On its site, American Atheists says the billboards should appeal to atheists living in insular religious communities "designed to squelch individualism and religious criticism." As for the non-atheists seeing the billboards, the group anticipates some backlash but is hoping for the best.

These billboards are not meant to inflame or enrage, and while the comparison of how the Jewish and Muslim communities react will be interesting, we expect no violence nor vandalism. Although some in those communities might not appreciate our outreach, we have every right and every responsibility to advertise our organization and our movement as we see fit.

In particular, American Atheists is advertising the Reason Rally: a Celebration of Secular Values in Washington DC. Following that, there's the National Convention of American Atheists in Bethesda, Maryland — this year's theme is, "Come out, come out, wherever you are." Which begs the question: what religion were the munchkins in Oz?

Atheist Billboards Set to Delight Atheists, Piss Off Religious People

**Sarzy** · March 5th, 2012, 11:27 AM

I'm an Atheist, but meh, that's just asking for trouble placing them just in Jewish and Muslim communities. All it will achieve is to pee people off. Super religious people won't change their minds for any reason imo.

**Brookie** · March 5th, 2012, 11:41 AM

Let's put one outside Kirk Cameron's house and one close to Santorum's.

**lurkur** · March 6th, 2012, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Sarzy

I'm an Atheist, but meh, that's just asking for trouble placing them just in Jewish and Muslim communities. All it will achieve is to pee people off. Super religious people won't change their minds for any reason imo.

I think they're targeting the people who might have doubt, but might feel like they're the only ones or are afraid to express what they think. The placement is probably to pierce the bubble that communities--especially super religious communities--like to form around themselves.

**chartreuse** · March 6th, 2012, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by lurkur

I think they're targeting the people who might have doubt, but might feel like they're the only ones or are afraid to express what they think. The placement is probably to pierce the bubble that communities--especially super religious communities--like to form around themselves.

yes, i totally agree. i think the placement of the ads is pretty key. i like it.

**Sarzy** · March 6th, 2012, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by lurkur

I think they're targeting the people who might have doubt, but might feel like they're the only ones or are afraid to express what they think. The placement is probably to pierce the bubble that communities--especially super religious communities--like to form around themselves.

Hmm I hadn't thought of it like that. That makes more sense.

**lurkur** · March 6th, 2012, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Sarzy

Hmm I hadn't thought of it like that. That makes more sense.

I'm an excellent fanwanker...

**greysfang** · March 11th, 2012, 09:19 PM

Stupid. I don't want to see atheist billboards any more than I want to see religious ones.

**Grimmlok** · March 11th, 2012, 10:54 PM

I'd prefer atheist billboards to snap people out of their sky fairy delusion. I'm tired of religious bullshit being plastered everywhere and people acting like complete fucking lunatics because their spaceghost told them they could.

It's 2012. Time to hang it the fuck up and welcome yourself to reality.

**DeadDwarf** · March 12th, 2012, 02:12 AM

I would prefer to not see any billboards for either view, but something like this would be removed by fundies in my community. I don't know why, but it just seems in my world people are getting really huge on Christianity. For example my Facebook is splattered with Jesus and Bible status updates constantly and we moved to a conservative city where the majority of people are hardcore Christians. I have tried to make friends, but everyone is huge thumpers and my husband is agnostic and I am an atheist. I keep my views to myself so I don't know if everyone just assumes I am a Christian even though I have told new friends I don't attend church when they asked me. I get people at my door asking me to read their bible at least once a week.

I guess my feelings are religious people are very outspoken, but people like me feel like you can't say anything at all. Maybe that's why I would worry about putting up these billboards.

/rant

**Grimmlok** · March 12th, 2012, 07:29 AM

I wouldn't worry. Bout time they got a taste of it.

**Working Girl** · March 12th, 2012, 07:55 AM

It reeks desperation and will have zero effect...

**Grimmlok** · March 12th, 2012, 07:56 AM

Kinda like all the bullshit religious ones screeching about hell being real.

I mean, at least the atheist billboards get people to think on the subject, instead of.. you know..

**Sarzy** · March 12th, 2012, 08:27 AM

^ I wanna laugh at those but they're scary. I can't understand how SO many people in the world can be brainwashed into believing all that stuff, I just can't.

**monk** · March 12th, 2012, 09:51 AM

I am an atheist. Hardcore. But I don't agree with trying to "convert" others. Be it religious or otherwise. Some people I know are very religious and not in a bible thumping way. More in a quiet humility of faith. Saying "You know it's a myth" is projecting. Trying to convince others. It didn't come across as trying to reach those who have doubts until someone pointed it out on here. But I'm torn. Enough with crazy religious beliefs. But not sure where to draw the line.