A billboard near Riverside aimed at raising awareness of the local nonbeliever population is turning heads and raising eyebrows.
The billboard off the 215 Freeway just south of the 10 Freeway junction in Colton reads: “Don’t believe in a God? You are not alone.”
CBS2/KCAL9’s Adrianna Weingold spoke to a number of people who found the sign offensive.
“I’d have them take it down, because God’s real,” Colton resident Benjamin Hall said.
Well that's one argument I guess. Resident Cyndi Bulger doesn’t want it in Colton either:
“Everybody’s an individual, so you shouldn’t be told how you should think or what you should believe.”
Well that's interesting since that is what religions have been doing since the dawn of time.
Remember people do not go door to door to tell people to be Atheists. Nor do they suggest that they will suffer eternally for not doing so.
Of course the goal of the advertising is not so much to change minds, as it is to let those who are already critical thinkers know that they are not alone.
Made possible with over $6,500 in funding from the Washington, D.C.-based United Coalition of Reason, the 18-by-48-foot billboard will be up for the month, according to Inland Empire Coalition of Reason coordinator Jan Goings.
The campaign, part of a nationwide program that began in 2009, has grown to more than 60 similar campaigns in nearly 40 states, each sponsored by a local coalition of nontheistic groups, Goings said.
“We want people to know that nontheistic folks like us are a regular part of communities all over the area,” Goings said. “Nontheists are your friends and neighbors, your coworkers and family members. Our nontheistic community focuses on service, and we care deeply about bringing justice and help to others: being good without a god.”
I am not usually one for in your face advertising. But considering that Atheists are currently among the most mistrusted demographic in America, I can certainly understand the desire to reach out and comfort those living in fear of discovery.
About time! Kuddos! I
ReplyDeleteam from Orange County, (southern) Calif. and it is a very "religious" place (also very Republican & rich). You can get your car keyed if you add an Obama sticker to your car... I have to keep my mouth shut when I am there. People have guns and perhaps wouldn't like to hear me say I don't believe in God. (I also do not talk politics (guns again)...however, I have to say, the name Sarah Palin -- if bought up -- gets no response. She is irrelevant there it seems. :D)
I've had to remind my son how fortunate we are to live in Massachusetts, because it's generally a liberal state, but also it's a place in which proclaiming yourself conservative, liberal or independent doesn't make you a target of the opposition.
DeleteRemember, Mitt Romney was our governor. (Not a good one.) He cooperated, by and large, with the Democratic legislature. We just elected another Republican governor. Scott Brown --imagine -- was our Senator for two years.
We have hunters in pick-up trucks and millionaires in Escalades. We leave each other alone.
Barbara, you are so right about Orange County, best to keep your head down. I read a book one time that discussed the rise of nut job religion there and the concurrent rise of the defense industry in So. Cal. It was fascinating. Can’t help but think the depression Bible bangers also were more open to the fundamental aspects though. I couldn’t get out of there soon enough!
DeleteI may just have to cross the dreaded 10 freeway this morning to have a looksee!
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between saying that you're not alone if you don't believe in God OR saying that God doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteThe second could be considered an opinion that could be disputed by a person of faith. The first one, however, is a statement of statistical fact and cannot be disputed. Yes, there are people who don't believe in God. Fact.
This billboard isn't claiming that those people are right or that they're better than someone who DOES believe in God. It's just acknowledging that they exist. And you simply can't argue with that.
wanna bet? Ha.
DeleteI must agree with Barbara. Those who take umbrage at things like non-believers can and WILL argue with it. Atheists have been hated and murdered all throughout history and the only thing different now is that for the most part (and I stress that phrase) people recognize that murder is not legal.
DeleteI will promise you, however, that there are still lots of people who would adore the opportunity to test that idea when it comes to non-believers.
Okay, okay. 6:05 here and I bow to your greater wisdom.
DeleteI had a brief moment of delusion this morning when I forgot that these are the same people who believe that the Li'l Baby Jeebus was riding around on a T-Rex.
Yes, they can - and do - argue about incontrovertible facts that smack them dead in the face.
My advice to the folks that put up that billboard:
ReplyDeleteBe damn careful because people who believe in nonsense are irrational by definition and that makes them dangerous.
They will hurt you.
Torture you.
Very likely kill you.
And then they will return to speaking of brotherly love, turning the other cheek, Jesus.
DeleteHonestly, I am an atheist and wish religion would simply morph into a non-essential component in people’s lives. But given how nasty religious people become when their religion is not given the "respect “ demanded I would rather be a closet atheist. Religious people scare me. Once, I actually rebuffed the advances of a friend who was attempting to bring me into the fold. Her anger was terrifying.I don’t trust religious fanatics, they are irrational and there is no accounting for their behavior. The flock really believes it is above reproach and will do anything to remain in that position.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love (snark) are other people's misinformation about atheism and confusing immorality with non belief in a higher power. I'm sure we've all seen the type ourselves, I'm fine the way God made me, but I had a tummy tuck, face lift, butt lift, nose job and juvaderm to look better.
ReplyDeleteI remember the doorbell ringing, and my husband answered the door and said "Wait here, I'll get my wife" he came into the kitchen and said it's Mrs So and So (a friend of our daughter's mother (devout baptist) He made that "boom boom" motion across his chest and said "Mrs Smith wants to see you" I turned into the foyer, and she had waaay too much plastic surgery, huge chest, lips that don't meet, and two black and blue eyes from the nose .
One of the few times I was truly speechless, I could hardly look at her, let alone remember her name. She was selling christmas stuff for her church, or should I say, her daughter was learning the art of the deal by watching mom sell stuff for the church. Like Girl Scout Cookies except they taste good.
I hate billboards but if you live in a place that allows them, then this is great. From age 5 on up, I thought that I was literally the only atheist in the whole world. Turns out my sister was one too, but we never knew until I was in my late 20's!
ReplyDeleteI could have definitly used a group like that at a younger age. In fact, i think i could use it now. Didnt think any existed until today..... Ugh
ReplyDeleteI'm a devout Catholic. I believe in freedom of speech and expression. Peace be with you.
ReplyDelete