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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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I'm an Atheist and I really hate it when I see stuff like this. Who is this group to criticize someone elses beliefs and then expect them to respect yours? Admittedly allot of Christians don't respect my beliefs but that doesn't mean Atheists should behave the same way.
@jimmy:
Thank you for a refreshingly mature opinion. It is rare on this board.
As someone who advocates a rational view of the universe, how can you view the concept of religious belief with anything but pity and scorn?
@jimmy cracorn,
Although I don't disagree with your general position, I also don't think respect and criticism are mutually exclusive.
@ts: Einstein did not regard it with pity and scorn.
Jimmy,
I don't expect them to respect my beliefs, respect is something that is earned, it is rediculous for either side to expect respect.
Me ll i agree, criticism is long overdue and there is nothing petty about it.
Umm.. as an atheist, your beliefs and rights aren't respected in this country buddy.
Christians have poisoned the well. I don't believe that god exists, but I do believe Satan does, and Satan is the Christians spewing hatred towards minorities that do not think like them.
Well said. But you are about to get trashed, even from some members of your own team, unfortunately. Tolerance for opposing views/beliefs/faiths is a dirty word nowadays.
Since when is atheism a belief? Are you sure you're not a christard posing as an atheist?
Atheism is a belief you moron.
Atheist logic:
Everyone who calls himself a Christian is a Christian. That is the only requirement for membership. Being a Christian is like being a Cowboy fan.
"Being a Christian is like being a Cowboy fan"
That makes sense, since both groups are total dooshebags.
@W. Wallace,
So what is the universally accepted definition of a Christian?
ah, the "no true scotsman" fallacy rearing it's ugly head?
Christians are never really "Christians". It is not an objective quality. It is a process.
Surely anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is 'God' is a Christian, no?
Or perhaps you are one of those people who don't think Catholics are "Christians" for example?
@sam stone.
You called it!
I would say that if Satan exists, he surely believes that Jesus is the son of God, but that does not make Satan a "christian"
@W. Wallace,
"It is a process."
And everyone will agree with that?
My point is simply that Christians themselves cannot agree on what a Christian is, therefore how can anyone possibly use something like, "they're not really Christian," or "a true Christian wouldn't do that" as a defense of Christianity?
Actually it is just a convienient label that has no meaning in objective fact. If I call myself a Buddhist, does that make me a Buddhist? If I say I believe in Shiva as well as Jesus am I suddenly a Hindu?
Semantics.
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...
@gop'er:
Profound way for an Atheist who believes that everything must be logically proven to respond. Typical hypocrisy.
Who says atheists need everything to be 'logically proven'.
Atheists simply don't believe in God.
As an atheist, I find the billboards childish and petty.
Which is exactly what I feel about mormonism, but that's a different story.
I'm surprised that the atheists didn't put up a mirror billboard. Then they can all go and admire the only person that matters. Themselves.
@Billybob,
yes, these billboards are mean-spirited. They do not serve a useful purpose.
jill: Care to re-read that???? Atheists did put it up and while I'm not totally for playing the same game christards do, I understand why...we get religions put in our faces constantly but when it happens to christards they scream foul. I'd like to think that Atheists hold to a higher, more intellectual standard and get our point across with evidence, reason and logic.
Jill,
That is a nom-sequitur.
Nothing wrong in not believing in something that is not there . There is nothing wrong in believing in reality rather than oz . That should be called realist rather than atheist . The bible was written by people and not any God . Just look it up on the internet . In myself I trust not invisible beings .
Why waste time learning Jesus' wisdom. It would take time away from what really matters. Your self.
jill: are ya talking about the edited, translated iron age hearsay in that book?
grovel much?
Jill,
Jesus had some good teachings, some poor teachings, and some things that were plain absurd.
sam: read the post above where she commented...she proves my point about intellect....just a cell or two short of a functioning brain...she's not making sense or she's just typing for the sake of making herself feel better to have stood up for her imaginary friend.
Christians and Mormons are so gad damn stupid.
Christians and Mormons should spend their time worshiping you Troy. Isn't that what truly makes your world go round?
Jill: You are truly ignorant!! All we say is the we do not see evidence to support your imaginary friend and until we do, we see no reason to believe. Sadly, you have been far too brainwashed to think that Atheists are self-righteous to grasp anything. We don't pretend to have all the answers, that would be christards and any other belief. I'm guessing you're still a little girl, so to get you up to speed...the buybull was written 2000 years ago by 40 men who never met one another...that book has never been updated since, we live in the year 2012 where we have updated information that proves the stories in that book wrong. You have faith and thus don't care that what you believe is true; we have science because we do care that what we believe is true. When you can provide solid evidence for your imaginary friend, we may be willing to treat you as an adult...until then, it is known that only children and schizophrenics have imaginary friends...which one are you?
They're not going after people like you, Rev. Martin. They're going after your kids... and succeeding.
God exists whether you believe it or not. And he loves all of us, enough to die for us. And we will ALL face him one day.
Since the existence of an intangible being is purely a belief-related phenomenon, if people stop believing in Him, does He really exist?
No, we will not face him one day. And you will not discover your error, because you will be dead, unconscious, and feeding the worms...just like the rest of us.
You make a claim of knowledge. Care to back that up? Sure you believe in God but can you seriously claim and demonstrate without a doubt that you're right? Put up or shut up.
Yahweh died ( in the form of Jesus) for the intrinsic sin Yahweh gave us.
Makes perfect sense.
I won't argue with you Carrie if you promise not to get your mama involved in this.
There is no such thing as debating an atheist. Worshiping them is all that's required.
god does not exist, whether or not you believe in it.
see how we can both do that, carrie?
So, they wanted to put the billboards in Florida, but no billboard company would lease even a single one? Imagine the furor if this had happened to a christian organization. Damn religious nut-jobs will not allow anyone else the chance to voice their opinion. The church is the biggest and most vile corporation on earth. They have their way by making threats and opposing common sense ideas. Time to take these sheep to the slaughter.
We know the atheists belief is "it's all about them". That's why their noses are out of joint. It's not just from picking it.
kim: atheists think it is all about them?
spend a lot of time on your knees? good, you will be ready for jeebus
I would rather spend a lifetime believing and be wrong, than spend a lifetime not believing , and be wrong.
Then I suggest you start worshiping ALL gods, just in case. Wouldn't want to p_ss of Dagan or B'aal.
Hopefully some atheists will allow you that right. Ignore the trolls.
I would rather spend a lifetime determining what is true, rather than guess.
right now you are NOT believing in ISLAM. Better order your Quran online and start praying towards Mecca buddy!
Just because u spend a lifetime being an idiot, does not mean at the end you will turn into an enlightened being. If u lived your life well without causing harm to others then why would it matter even if u didn't believe in God?
That's called the "ME, MYSELF AND I" mantra.
But what if the Wicca are right?
Those who live in fear are slaves.
"I would rather spend a lifetime believing and be wrong, than spend a lifetime not believing , and be wrong."
And if you spend a lifetime believing in the wrong god, you could be in as much trouble as you imply atheists are with your god.
It is not that Atheists do not believe in God it is just that they do not accept the supporting science. Believe has nothing to do with it.
Tell the truth. You refuse to share the spotlight with anyone.
Neither side can prove their position so there has to be an element of FAITH on both sides. It would be better if there was also more tolerance on each side, at least more than we are seeing here.
Sorry but no. No faith required on the part of atheists. We aren't the ones making an unfounded claim. Not believing in something that has no supportive evidence is the default>/b> position.
After all Steve, it's all about you?
Well, it appears religious people dont like a taste of there own medicine. Guess what, organized religion has been force feeding people messages since it came into existence. It's not like we are telling you you will burn in hell if you don't give up religion. Insinuating that you maybe silly for believing in religion is hardly as extreme as telling people they face eternal fiery pain if they don't convert. So why don't you stop being hypocrites and stop whining because we started using a tactic you showed us.
Actually, you just prove Jesus' truth about what you are. Fools.
@Jill,
"And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." (Mt 5:22 )
I said that's what Jesus said you are.
If religitards didn't believe in bronze-age, middle eastern deities, here would be a need for the word "atheist"
It takes more energy to say "ME, MYSELF AND I", atheist or fool is quicker.
@Jill,
"And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." (Mt 5:22)
Actually, this was brought up by Sam Harris.
Can anyone think of an explanation of the world or an answer to a problem or any other piece of human knowledge, where we once had a scientific answer, but then later rejected that answer in favor of a religious one?
How about "what is the meaning of life"?
Even Stephen Hawking cannot disprove the existence of God, so don't go there. Science cannot prove or disprove the existence of God.
@PrimeNumber
Begging the question fallacy
@wolfpackbob
Disprove the existence of Rah, Zeus, Odin, Thor, Horus, Mithra, and all the other gods in history.
Climate Change. There are myriads of people who reject the science and say it is how God designed the planet
Science has never anwered a single question to its ultimate conclusion.
when Alzheimer's set in. Oh wait, sorry – forgot this was a question for believers only.
Wallace,
Religion has never proven anything about how the world really works.
Ignore the trolls, Rebecca.
As an atheist, the statements given by the religious leaders were mostly correct. These billboards are petty and vindictive. Believe me, I understand the sentiment, but we're supposed to be the mature, rational ones. And yes, if atheists are going to have a national organization, we absolutely *should* come together and do some good for humanity. I'm so tired of the "herding cats" line. It's a flimsy excuse by bitter cynics.
Putting up snarky billboards is the least helpful thing we can do. Why not work towards providing resources for those on the fence, and raise some money for the secular charities out there. Maybe create some new ones. All this tripe is doing is further polarizing theists and atheists.
Atheists think they know how the universe should work and since it doesn't work the way they think it should, God must not exist. It's arrogance. Arrogance breeds contempt. Contempt leads to hate. Hate leads, apparently, to snarky billboards that do nothing but alienate the people you're trying to convince.
Definition of an atheist "ME, MYSELF, AND I".
Every "charitable" action that a religious person does is for selfish reasons, whether they believe a deity is watching them or they expect to be rewarded in an afterlife.
Only a selfish person would have that thought come to mind.
wow. i bet it gets burned down in no time. christians like to burn things up they don't like.
Said the little man from his mommy's basement. S
Yeah, just ask a witch.
Lol. you wish, Mylife.
jimmer must be talking about Michele Bachmann.
I can understand someone saying that they're an agnostic (that they don't know if God exists), but for someone to say that they are an atheist (they know for a fact that God doesn't exist) is utterly absurd.
As foolish as it is, I can even understand that someone would refuse to submit to God (that they are going to do what they want, not what God intended)–but eventually all will bow and kneel and humble themselves before God.
Ignore the trolls, Barry.
Even if by some freak happenstance there is are gods I will never bow willingly before them.
@Barry G.
Sorry Barry, but you are incorrect there.
Atheists don't have to believe in the non-existence of God.
Atheists don't believe in God.
Serious atheists don't take anything as fact, unless proven. The existence of a deity has not been disproved, but on the same token, there is not a shred of evidence suggesting there is one. This is the foundation of atheism.
Barry,
Nearly EVERYONE is agnostic, as agnosticism is about KNOWLEDGE and very few people claim to KNOW whether there's a god or not. Atheism is about BELIEF, atheists don't BELIEVE that there's a god.
Also, you reveal yourself to be a total d-bag by writing that "every knee will bow" crap. Imagine if someone told you that every knee will bow to Zeus and confess the greatness of his son Hercules, blah blah blah.... that's how we feel about you every time you do it.
You are conflating two terms. Atheism speaks to belief, agnosticism speaks to knowledge. You can be both an atheist and an agnostic without cotradiction. In fact it is only reasonable to be an agnostic atheist because if you claim to "know" a god or gods don't exist shifts the burden of proof to the claimant.
And which god do we have to kneel before? Every religion claims that their god is the true god, so plz go and fu#ck yourself. Keep your ignorant nonsense to yourself you freakin retard!
I always wondered why North Korea, Communist China and the former Soviet Union were so much more successful than the U.S. Lack of religion! That's how those places became paradises! Maybe the militant atheists could use their billboards as rafts and escape to the secular paradise that is Cuba? They could report back to us in 20-30 years on how much better life is there.
And based on your logic, perhaps the theists could jump on a plane and head over to a middle eastern theocracy! You'd love it there...if you step out of the bounds of your mythical guidelines, you can get stoned to death!
Your argument is a non-sequitur.
Well that is just a ridiculous argument. Sure those places aren't great but that has NOTHING to do with religion or lackthere of, it has to do with governemnt. There ARE places that are extremely secular and non religious, that report the highest happiness and satisfaction with their life, such as Sweden; they have close to 80% of an athiest or non religious population and rank close to the top in education, happiness, non violence, etc. So you may want to rethink your position.
You think this country is rich because of religion? This just proves how retarded you morons are. Do u even know what the founding fathers thought of christianity? Stupid retard!
As a Christian (a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ) I believe and follow 2 simple practices, I love God and my neighbor. Why does this offend you all so much? How does it even involve you?
Also, I keep seeing how "Christians are dumb" atheists "do good too" Someone please, send me a list of all the atheist run/operated soup kitchens, crisis nurseries, adoption agencies and homeless shelters in you communities.
@Rebecca
1) You still use a label associated with a group that is intolerant, and willing to try and force their own beliefs on the entire country, despite that being completely against everyones right to hold their own beliefs.
2) Useless argument that demonstrates absolutely nothing.
You say it so well HG.
You love your "gods"
Yahweh
Jesus
Mary
Saints
Etc
Christianity by definition, polytheistic.
Nobody really answered the second part of her question.
Rebecca, please note that they all are avoiding your question.
@J.W.
And what is the point of the second part of the question? What would it prove one way or the other, besides being an e-peen stroking contest.
Atheists often say that there are more scientists who are atheists and similar arguments like that. It could be used the other way around as well.
Allow me, then. For starters, you can look around the website for the Foundation Beyond Belief. There's a whole list of charities their small group supports, and tells you exactly where it's going. The Thinking Atheist community has raised money to provide the infrastructure for clean water in small villages where the people have no safe drinking water. There are many more, if you spend five minutes to look it up. These charities are all secular.
Atheist groups may not have the endless coffers obtained from centuries of hoarding the money of the poor, but the movement is growing fast.
@J.W.
Irrelevant, but I'll humor you. Simple terms, the amount of scientists who are atheists doesn't mean squat. Now, once again, what does the second part of Rebeccas post have to do with anything?
Rebecca,
When atheists give/volunteer, they don't do it in the name of atheism. Why would they? Do people give to charity in the name of monotheism or polytheism? Of course not. When atheists do good, they do it for the sake of doing it, or because it feels good to help your fellow man. There ARE some secular charities, but for the most part, atheists don't attach as much importance to labels and organizations as Christians do... they aren't out for brownie points or to make their "church" look better than the rival organization across the street. Indeed, Christians oftentimes boast of their good deeds, even though Jesus told them not to.* So ironically, in this regard, atheists are generally better at acting like Christians than the Christians themselves are.
*Matthew 6:3
Rebecca,
There are many secular organizations that help others, Doctors without Borders, Kiva.org are but 2 examples. If you truly wanted to know you could do a search and come up with a list pretty quicky but instead you want to knock down a straw man.
I really don't give a crap what u believe. The problem is that religious nut-jobs try to change the laws to suit their own stupid beliefs. Look at what's happening in politics now. What happened to separation of church and state?
And do u think only christians help others? That just shows how stupid, and full of self-importance you idiots are
How does it involve me? Are you kidding? If christianity actually kept to itself and didn't try force itself down peoples throats like just about every other religion out there you might have a point Rebecca. But it does so you don't.