Just in time for the holidays, a non-profit group is planning on erecting dozens of atheist billboards to let fellow non-believers know they're "not alone."
The Greater Sacramento Chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has paid for 55 different billboards this year to go up in Sacramento, Calif.
"It's because atheists are starting to speak up and they're beginning to identify each other," chapter president Judy Saint told a local TV station.
"There are a lot of non-believers and this time of year, they feel like they're alone. This isn't directed to people who enjoy their church, who enjoy their religion."
"That's fine. But we're talking to people who don't know that atheism is okay."
The billboards, all featuring area residents, share non-religious messages such as, "I worship nothing and question everything," or "Science. It works."
Somehow I don't think this is going to convince the Religious Right that there is no war on Christianity.
But should they care? After all there are billboards all over the country that encourage people to find God, accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior, and attend church. Actually these are in response to those.
And besides if your faith is shaken by something that you read on a billboard, then did you have much faith in the first place?
As an Atheist I am just glad that we finally feel confident enough to come out of the shadows, show our faces in public, and speak out against the thousands of years of oppression, persecution, and isolation that we have suffered at the hands of those who consider themselves our moral superiors.
O/T
ReplyDeleteThis just in, Michigan lawmakers are now considering legislation requiring women to get rape insurance
Yes, you heard that right
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/12/04/3018691/michigan-lawmakers-rape-insurance-abortion/
Wouldn't it be more fitting to have men be required to have: Dick isn't where its suppose, nor was it invited to be insurance?
DeleteAnd while we're at it they must also be required to obtain and hold a fund set up for his victims so they may recieve medical and emotional treatment.
There that ought to do it.
I posted this a couple of days ago
Delete"Thanks to a petition drive that resulted in 4.2% of Michiganders voicing their minority opinion, Michigan is about to become a place where women have to plan ahead for their abortions. If you become pregnant accidentally or if you are raped and become pregnant and haven't purchased a separate abortion coverage rider on your health insurance, you won't be covered. This isn't just for state government insurance plans or those purchased on the health insurance exchange. It's for EVERY insurance plan available in the state."
.."If they pass it, it becomes law. The other 95.8% of us won’t have a say and neither will Governor Snyder..."
http://kos.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=l3yPESiWam4o%2FuL%2B8DRpoLnOb8O%2Ftr2%2B
I contacted my representative, his lame answer was he will vote for it because "It is my feeling that individuals who do not approve of the procedure, for religious or moral reasons, should not be required to pay for the service in an insurance policy. "
How can I argue with stupid and just politely told him I will keep this in mind next election.
So apropos. I noticed two years ago while traveling through the Sacramento area the "end of the world" radio ministry was announcing it on billboards everywhere. I wondered if it had something to do with the incredibly devastating financial downturn in that area. I was reminded of the negativity, fear and nationalistic tendencies in Germany proceeding WWII. The ignorance, rumor mongering and fundamentalism go viral in that environment.
ReplyDeleteThe Christian Evangelicals are becoming dangerously pushy and strident in their behavior (WBC for example). They’re intolerant of anything different. A Catholic or Buddhist is just as “demon-possessed” as a nonbeliever. This pushback is good and I wish the Atheists well.
ReplyDeleteAren't Catholics and Mormons the worst? Saccharine to the face, but like Sarah carving a turkey the knife goes to the back.
DeleteThird generation Atheist here and while I'm happy that those Atheists that need support are now finding it, I have to admit that I've never felt chastised or "lesser" due to my Atheism. In fact, I'd have to say that I felt exactly the opposite, I've always felt somehow stronger because of my Atheism. Perhaps it was all in the way that my parents and grandparents approached it but we were made to feel capable and strong and sure of ourselves. Granted, there were a few relatives that would always give us bibles for xmas but we would write gracious thank you notes same as to our secular relatives. I just figured that all Atheists had the same experience; that of strength and freedom and truth.
ReplyDeleteMe too, even in Sandy UT I was always able to laugh at the LDS people flocking to church wasting hours of their precious time worshiping nothing. My "church" is the great outdoors and anyone who bothers to as, well I tell them. I don't believe in god , the easter bunny, santa or the tooth fairy. All are on par with each other and it is okay if you buy into them but not fine if you try to force me to.
DeleteLater atheist here, and am hoping my kids , who are being raised unindoctrinated to any religion, will feel as you feel. That is my hope!
Delete"As an Atheist I am just glad that we finally feel confident enough to come out of the shadows, show our faces in public, and speak out against the thousands of years of oppression, persecution, and isolation that we have suffered at the hands of those who consider themselves our moral superiors."
ReplyDeleteA very true statement to those atheist who have kept their little secret to themselves in order to avoid the scorn from the very people they thought were friends. Even family members get concerned when they start asking question on why you don't attend any church. I've know it from my teenage years there didn't seem to be any logical explanation from the religious community on the very things we see everyday. That explanation seemed to come from science, not religion. Let's face it, the creation of humans and earth in 7 days doesn't seem very logical when you look at the geology of our planet. If the creation didn't occur in 7 days, then what else about else in the Bible isn't true? The Bible is a book that has been interpreted many times, which can also lead to misinterpretations from what was originally written. Besides that, the Bible was written almost 2,00 years ago, depending on who you ask, by people who didn't understand a great deal lot of what we know today. If I'm going to put my trust in what is true and logical, it's going to be in science and not in ancient myths.
The Quitter will to be on O’Reilly tonite.to talk abt Bashir.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show the apology rilly was accepted. they do need to stick together and fight that WAR ON CHRISTMAS. Disgusting pagan symbols abound everywhere and defile our sacred malls.
DeleteBravo, Sacramento atheists! Now, if only some TV shows would start portraying non-believers....
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 23-1 He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. (no dick, no nuts, no service)
ReplyDelete1 Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women...
Ezekiel 23:20 For she doted upon their paramours, whos flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses. (She thought about their lovers who had dicks like donkeys and had orgasms as big as horses!)
These are all real verses from the King James Version of the Bible and deserve a place up on those billboards, by God.
...and there are more - SO many more...
That may be Todd's problem.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for it! Would love to see television and print ads as well. Accepting everyone for being their authentic selves is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteBeing an atheist is fine, but don't cap the word. It's not a proper noun.
ReplyDelete