It’s not a $2 million ad buy. But will a billboard by the activist group American Atheists at the Super Bowl draw the same kind of attention?
The 14 foot by 48 foot digital billboard in East Rutherford, half a mile from the Meadowlands and Metlife Stadium, is what Super Bowl visitors Sunday will see heading west on Route 3. Once every 10 minutes, it has displayed the American Atheists design, a priest with a football and a message, “A ‘Hail Mary’ only works in football. Enjoy the game!”
The ad will continue through Sunday. It’s a dig at prayer in sports and the conflation of religion with athletics. But it’s also the latest attempt by the group to draw attention to the cause, inviting public confrontation.
It may surprise you to know that I am not actually a big supporter of these billboards.
I mean I write about them as a way of discussing what is happening with Atheism in this country, and I certainly support the idea of them being placed next to billboards that proselytize, but overall I am not a fan.
I think it is more appropriate to have the conversation about religion, and faith, in places like this blog. Where people are allowed to openly express their agreement, or disagreement, with some anonymity.
When it comes to blogs you can also choose to avoid those that feature topics that make you uncomfortable, or if not the blog itself at least the topics that you don't enjoy.
A billboard on the other hand is kind of obtrusive, and religious people driving to see a football game probably don't appreciate being confronted with this.
I just don't think in the long run that it helps to move the conversation forward.
Anybody disagree?
As an atheist, I don't like being bombarded with churches, nativity scenes on private but highly visible property or religious billboards so we're about even, right?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of religious freedom of expression, be careful what you wish for when you are a right wing christian who hates Islam.
ReplyDeleteTN Tea Party Rep Opposes Religious Freedom After Islamic Cemetery Approved
http://aattp.org/tn-tea-party-rep-opposes-religious-freedom-after-islamic-cemetery-approved/
Have never been a fan of billboards, period. Peel all the individual messages back and everyone of them eventually says the same thing. Give me money.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have a clear view of the sky and hillsides they obstruct than the constant stream of big, ugly rectangles screaming - give me money, give me money.
-Oz
One great thing about Alaska is billboards are not allowed. We are very strict regarding highway and cityscape advertising; it obstructs the natural beauty.
DeleteLOVE IT!
ReplyDeletePerhaps if the religious are made to be uncomfortable by questioning of their faith they might want to re-examine the strength of their convictions. Ex Cat
ReplyDeleteSorry Ex Cat. That will never happen.They are too sure of themselves to even consider thinking. Besides, to them it would be a sin to question.
DeleteAND they would have to learn HOW to think first!
As a non-atheist, I actually support the erection of this billboard. Atheists everywhere have a common - and LOUD - enemy: The Christian Right Wing. In no way do those people want a dialogue - what they want is both confrontation and for atheists to give in and become Magic Christians just like they are.
ReplyDeleteI did read somewhere the other day that as a Catholic, I'm not a Christian. It's even worse for atheists who to me seem to be people of courage and just as upstanding as anyone else. Maybe a little more so.
Billboard away!!!!!
O/T but President Obama isn't taking an guff from Blowhard BIlly!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaite.com/tv/obama-battles-oreilly-in-pre-super-bowl-interview-you-and-your-tv-station-push-benghazi-irs/
Love it !! I was brought up Catholic.Still believe in God,have no belief in religion. I find the billboard hysterical,and ohhh,so true. Never did memorize that "Hail Mary" useless chant.
ReplyDeleteI have liked some of the other billboards you have highlighted, but I don't like this one. It seems aimed specifically at Catholics (I believe they are the only religion that says the "Hail Mary.") and comes across as being disrespectful. When they come up with more clever advertising, I'm all for it.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of a Hail Mary Pass, huh?
DeleteThis blog is a ridiculous place to discuss religion. Can't believe you are so fucking arrogant to think that you actually give an open forum. You've only managed to demonstrate what a total jerk you are. Oh, and just so we're clear, I'm not Christian, so this isn't just another Christian getting "testy." And, I could hardly be called a right wing nut job. Most right wing nut jobs call me a communist. The only reason I ever come by here anymore is for the links to current news stories. I usually skip your commentary because it nearly always sucks and is poorly written. You have a very clear agenda, and it's not a very nice one.
ReplyDelete"Anybody disagree?"
Most of us, probably.
DeleteYou nasty fucker. What a fucking liar and rude guest you are. There are many other sites where you can find links to the stories Gryphen posts. They're usually not exactly obscure stories. So your claim is obviously utter bullshit and just an excuse for you to bash Gryphen. I guess it makes a change from jacking off over your Photoshopped Sarah Palin images collection.
DeleteYou really can't find other places that have links to current news stories?
DeleteThis is Gryphen's blog. Whatever he wants to discuss is "appropriate."
I agree. I think these billboards are counterproductive. That said, I did get a kick out of this one. Even though I, as a totally lapsed Catholic who now considers herself a heathen, still derive comfort from praying the Hail Mary when I'm stressed -- it just reminds me of when I was a kid and the level of comfort I received from believing in such things then.
ReplyDeleteI see christian and catholic billboards with Mary shedding tears over abortion, Jesus asking readers to "Come to his home" on the sides of public streets all over my city. Just because they put them up, doesn't mean I have to read them, and the same should be true for atheists, agnostics, buddhists, muslims etc etc etc.
ReplyDeleteI think that letting people know there are others out there who also doubt the existence of God is a good thing. Atheists need to have a voice and to let others know they are not alone in their doubt or disbelief. Maybe then religions will start to fade and we'll have a new Age of Enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I thought that I was the only Atheist in the world. If I had seen a billboard like this one, it would have let me know that there were others like me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think that the religious tend to discount our numbers and portray "the few" as slathering devil worshipers who hide under rocks. This puts the whole concept out into the open, and shows what it really is, a perfectly normal human condition, with some humor thrown in.
I don't see it as particularly targeting Catholics. Hail Mary Pass, Notre Dame, Fighting Irish, big football games, Super Bowl, it was a timing thing, like the one at Christmas; Keep the Merry, Dump the Myth.
I married a lapsed Catholic, and thus am related to several active ones. They seem to poke fun at themselves, kind of like my family of Lutherans who love Garrison Keillor and Lake Wobegon.
As an Alaskan, I do hate billboards though, and glad we don't have them.