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 A billboard criticizing Christianity is going up in Charlotte, North Carolina, host city of the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
August 13th, 2012
10:03 AM ET
First on CNN: Atheist group targets presidential candidates' faith with billboardsBy Dan Merica, CNN Washington (CNN) - A prominent atheist group is using next month's Democratic National Convention to take aim at the presidential candidates' religion, putting up billboards targeting Mormonism and Christianity in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Our political system is rife with religion and it depends too much on religion and not enough on substance," said David Silverman, president of American Atheists, sponsor of the ads. "Religion is silly and religion has components that are inherently divisive. … There is no place for any of that in the political system,” he said. The billboards go up Monday in Charlotte and will stay up for a month at a cost of roughly $15,000. The Democratic convention runs September 3-6. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories The billboard targeting Christianity features an image of Jesus Christ on toast and this description of the faith: "Sadistic God; Useless Savior, 30,000+ Versions of ‘Truth,’ Promotes Hates, Calls it ‘Love.’ ”
The billboard targeting Mormonism lambastes - and, Mormons would say, distorts - specific Mormon doctrines: "God is a Space Alien, Baptizes Dead People, Big Money, Big Bigotry.” The Mormon billboard features a man in white underwear, a reference to special Mormon garments. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter Both billboards feature the line "Atheism: Simply Reasonable." American Atheists had wanted to put the anti-Mormon billboard in Tampa, Florida, to coincide with the Republican National Convention there later this month. Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney is a Mormon. When no billboard company in the city would lease the group space for such a sign, Silverman said the organization decided to focus solely on the Democrats in Charlotte. “Presidential conventions are for ideas, not ideology - platforms, not platitudes," Silverman said. "If a person believes stupid things, we have every right to question his or her judgment, and that directly impacts how the nonreligious voter votes.” CNN Belief Blog: Atheist leader hopes to mobilize closeted nonbelievers Some religious leaders said the billboards showed a misunderstanding of how faith works. "That billboard makes the most common high-school error when it comes to atheism," wrote the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author, in an e-mail to CNN. "It's not arguing against the existence of God, but against religion. The American Atheists need to go back to school on this one." Martin also questioned the language used on the billboard: "And as for 'promoting hate' they're doing a bang-up job themselves with that billboard." Terryl Givens, a Mormon professor at the University of Richmond, called American Atheists "petty and vindictive." “If this example of adolescent silliness is what atheists mean by being reasonable, then neither Mormons nor other Christians have much to worry about," he said of the billboards. "When atheists organize to serve the poor and needy of the world, they will be taken more seriously." CNN Belief Blog: Unbelieving preachers 'come out' as atheists It's not the first time the American Atheists group has released in-your-face billboards. Earlier this year, the group put up two billboards in heavily Muslim and Jewish enclaves in New Jersey and New York bearing messages in Arabic and Hebrew. “You know it’s a myth … and you have a choice,” the billboards said. At the time, Silverman said the signs were intended to reach atheists in Muslim and Jewish areas who may feel isolated because they are surrounded by believers. In addition to the billboards, Silverman said his group plans to stage protests at both conventions. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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At least they called Obama a Christian.
Are the targets for these billboards converting atheists to atheism? Because they will probably do a great job of that. Otherwise, they should talk to someone about how to advertise.
Yes, as someone pointed-out earlier the billboards really do bring an awareness to other like-minded individuals that they are not alone.
These biilboards are more hateful than the "hate" they claim Christians have. Totally classless.
Christian just kill a dozen people in a Sikh temple
The boards point out fallacies and strange believes ingrained in teh religion's doctrine. They do not target or attack any individuals, adn they do not call for any actions against people, so how are they hateful?
How are they hateful?
So these billboards which target religions are more hateful than those religions that have killed and continue to oppress others? Ludicrous.
I think it would be nice to get an honest man in office. We have elected a lot of Christians and haven't accomplished that yet.
Very good point. When a plan has failed miserably time after time, shouldn't a rational human being eventually learn from their mistakes?
One would think so, I am an old guy, not only can I learn from my mistakes, I can actually learn from other people's mistakes.
u pretty sure jimmy carter was a filthy liar, huh?
I don't believe he was a liar, but his Christianity didn't make him smart.
Religion is petty and stupid. However, these billboards are preaching to the choir. The language is a bit much if you're trying to make people at least think about how silly their beliefs are. I love how the commentors, though, are equating what the atheists say with hate. The church has provided excuses for hate for centuries.
Yes, but we don't have to go to that level. I am an atheist, and I don't understand this organization. I don't like religion, but I don't understand how you are going to get people to give up religion, but being mean, spiteful and hateful. These billboards are the pot calling the kettle black. It is hate speech. why not put something supportive up, for the atheists who are looking for people like them– to find support. I don't get this method. It is ugly, and I wouldn't want to be a part of it.
Atheists are cowards. I'll believe otherwise when they start preaching in Saudi Arabia.
LOL! Religious people are the cowards because they are so afraid of death that they have to believe in an after life just to get through this one!
Atheists exist in high education area with religion around them.
Nice ad hominem, Billy. I take it you preach Xtianity in Saudi Arabia? No? Then how are you not a coward, as well, based on your logic?
Unlike the crazies in religions, atheists recognize that death means you're dead.
Really? In Saudi Arabia where the religious mafia will kill you if you dare speak your mind? Seems like you are applying a strange standard.
Atheists is the result of decent education, and the abilities to question what they learn.
@billy: you first. lol i would love to see how different our receptions would be: i doubt they would bat an eye at my atheist thoughts.......mainly because i wouldn't be handing out anything denouncing their faith, or trying to preach to anyone seeing i couldn't care less what they believe; your reseption may require an ambassador to request your release from prison for handing out leaflets and preaching against their faith.
How about atheists are d@@k heads? Feel any better?
Billy Boy.....don't you have to get on your knees and start begging for salvation?
@Billy
Big tough guy, huh Billy?
Ladies and gentleman, take my advice: pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
Damn you, now I have to go watch M.A.S.H.
Why is it that atheists spend so much time talking about God? It never fails – want to talk about religion or God? Go find an atheist.
Because in the vast majority of cases it's the Atheists who know more about religion than the followers do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA53vCC_MIk&dffd
It won't help, stupid people don't know when they are being insulted.
If there is a god, why do people fear death? If there really were an afterlife, we would be eager to get there instead of being afraid, right?
I approve of this message!
No company in Tampa would accept their billboard. What happen to Freedom of Speech?
In America it has always been as much "freedom" as you can afford
put up your own billboard structure, birdbrain. free speech. genius. sam stoned "fvck you"
quit your crying. get a magic marker and some card board and stand on the street corner with your sign
So, now Atheism is a "religion"?
Why would anyone think Atheism is a religion?
How can you interpret this article, which includes the unqualified quotation that "religion is silly," as implying that atheism is a religion? Do you bother to read? think for yourself? Or do you just take bits and pieces of items and try to square them with your pre-determined conclusions?
Now, where have I seen that before?
Claiming that Christianity (or any other religion) promotes divisiveness and hatred and bashing other folks because of what they believe is in itself hateful and divisive. Also, it's incredibly ignorant. Jesus (and many other religious leaders and prophets from around the world) taught his followers to love love their neighbors, give up their material possessions and live together in a community that shares everything and practices compassion toward the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly, and the poor.
You can't judge a religion by the actions of some of its most extreme followers (or, as in the case of my church, an historically corrupt administration concerned more with politics than following what Christ taught). There are good Christians and not so good Christians. There are good Muslims and not so good Muslims. There are good atheists and not so good atheists.
Rather than spend so much effort ridiculing people for their beliefs and practicing the same hate they claim to condemn, perhaps these folks might find a greater purpose by spending their time more productively. After all, there are millions of people in prisons, millions more on the streets, and plenty of sick, elderly, and poor men, women, and children who could benefit from the kind words and actions of a loving neighbor. Or, keep making yourselves look silly by protesting what someone else chooses to believe, as if that makes any sense or can ever accomplish anything meaningful.
I know, we should spend more money printing the bible and giving to the poor, the bible have a good source of fiber.
Your message is not the message coming out of 90% of the pulpits in America.
Jesus may have taught Love and Tolerance 101, but his students were too remedial to pass the class.
It seems the atheists have confused Mormonism and Scientology with that first billboard?
They are all the same....nutty.
Nope. Mormons believe that their god was a man on another planet, and once he had enough 'spirit children', they populated the earth. They got nothing confused, you seem to be the confused one.
What part of it is wrong?
The Mormons also believe that when they die they go to Planet Bob and become gods themselves.
It's difficult to understand the logic behind this. Who are they trying to speak to? To a Christian, the billboard is offensive. To a Mormon, the billboard is offensive. To an agnostic, the billboard is arrogant. To an atheist, the billboard is about as entertaining as an internet meme. Well done, sir. You managed to persuade no one while offending quite a few.
Sadly, there is no good way to point out the fallacies of these religions. Not when their followers doctrine is to faithfully believe everything in their holy books no matter how contradictory or ludicrous, despite the fact they ignore any of it that is inconvenient to their own personal lives.
I know tons of Christians and Mormons who don't fit the description that these billboards convey. This is a terrible generalization of two groups of people. This is as bad as people who think all Muslims are terrorists. I'm quite shocked at American Atheists for posting these, I thought they were better than this.
Maybe we should give them a taste of their own medicine. Here's a billboard idea:
ATHEISM:
– Started the Holocaust
– Supports Freedom of Religion...As Long As It's Atheism
– Likes to Bully Children of Faith
The 1st Amendment: Simply Reasonable
This information the billboard use is base on their bible.
Atheism did not start the Holocaust. Germany was very Protestant.
None of those are true either.
Atheism started the Holocaust? What???? Religion started the middle east unrest thousands of years ago, which continues today and always will continue due to ignorant people!
"- Started the Holocaust" Like Hitler the Catholic?
"- Supports Freedom of Religion...As Long As It's Atheism" – Who is denying the freedom of people to worship as they choose?
"- Likes to Bully Children of Faith" Well, when the "Children of Faith" try to impose that faith though the laws of the land. they certainly have it coming.
Have no fear fellow atheists, you are seeing then end of religion. Its only a matter of time, and those who follow skygods or so called prophets will come to the conclusion that religion is a mental illness. There is hope the intelligence will prevail. The lunacy will end and religion can go the way of the do do bird.
the holocaust was started by catholic Hitler who pronounced his belief in god to his death. And the pope was his aid. Not to forget the Nazi's were christain. And the KKK were christian.. the inquisition were driven by christian, Shall I continue?
Religion is like a virus on mankind. Unfortunately to eradicate it will probably kill the host........
True, religion is a cancer on the planet.
I'm and atheist-leaning agnostic, but I don't agree with this one bit. People can believe whatever they want. Its simply their choice.
I do believe, however, that politicians shouldn't use religious morals and teachings to influence their reforms. I think they should start focusing on real matters. It just doesn't make sense. One should think first "Why does it matter if gay marraige is legal? How the hell would it change MY life? It wouldn't." Nothing would change.
They should focus on the larger issues, such as the damn economy. Reform that.
I support all religions, although I do not believe them. That doesn't mean you have to slander them.
Peace.
The problem is that those adhering to religions try to force their ways on others by 'looking down on them' as if they are better than everyone else and that those who don't follow them are doomed to an 'eternity in hell' and 'sinners' and the peer pressure they use is nothing different than the same techniques Hitler used to create his mass of followers.
So, this billboard is just a silly counter-attack to their pushy ways? Don't get me wrong, I know that religious folk are very pushy. But, it seems like these people are just trying to do the same exact thing. Its somewhat hypocritical.
It wouldn't be such a problem if people would keep their religion to themselves and out of government and public schools. Just because you're religious doesn't mean I want to share it.
EXACTLY! rdeleys is right. Everyone should just keep their own religion to themselves. Religion shouldn't be a priority.
Ethan, so what do you propose we do? Take the Christian path and just turn the other cheek to their religious oppression? Even the Christians know that doesn't work and have completely abandoned the practice their savior preached.
Whoop-de-#$%& Doo...Relevance check in 3-2-1....