Newest front in the Christmas wars: billboards

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2012/12/18/newest-front-in-the-christmas-wars-billboards/


Kimberly Winston | December 18, 2012


A billboard posted in Chico, Calif., that originally read “Don’t believe in God? Join the club” was defaced on Dec. 12, less than a week after it appeared, with vandals removing the word “don’t.” RNS photo courtesy United Coalition of Reason

(RNS) A billboard bearing a positive message about atheism has been vandalized — again.

A billboard posted in Chico, Calif., that originally read “Don’t believe in God? Join the club” was defaced on Dec. 12, less than a week after it appeared, with vandals removing the word “don’t.” The billboard was one of 12 purchased this month by a local chapter of the United Coalition of Reason (UnitedCoR), a national organization that works to unite small, local groups of atheists and other freethinkers.

They are the latest in a long line of billboards erected by atheist groups to draw ire, both locally and nationally. Every national freethought organization that has purchased billboards or bus advertisements in the last five years has reported some form of vandalism or protest.

If the billboards attract negative attention, criticism and vandalism, why do atheists — a group that polls repeatedly rank among the least-liked group in America — buy them? Are they worth the money and the ill will they cost the groups that buy them?

more at link

[trotsky]

1. The "ill will"?

You mean the hatred we get from good Christian folk for simply announcing "we exist"?

[rug]

6. No, she said "ill will".

[2ndAmForComputers]

12. Some writers love to use euphemisms.

[rug]

13. She didn't.

[2ndAmForComputers]

14. Because you say so.

[rug]

18. Because I can read.

[Fumesucker]

2. Revealing that the writer is not interested in *why* the billboards draw vandals

Only why atheists are so mean as to put up signs that criminals will want to deface.

[cbayer]

3. Are we reading the same article?

I think he is clear on why and gives a pretty balanced view from several sides.

[Fumesucker]

4. All the questions seemed to be put to the atheists to explain themselves

I didn't notice any questions to or answers from the vandals.

[cbayer]

5. True. The only viewpoint from someone who objects is from the

Catholic League President.

It would be interesting to hear what the vandals have to say in their own words.

[Laochtine]

7. I love it

Those religionists are so weak, they've got to deface a sign. Thou doth protest too much.

[cordelia]

10. Me, too.

Those atheists are so weak, they had to erect a sign to begin with.

[cleanhippie]

11. By that twisted, bigoted logic...

christians are the weakest, erecting signs, churches, crosses, handing out tracts, going door to door....


Stay classy, cordelia. You make jesus happy.

[cordelia]

16. Twisted?

You amuse me.

Did you forget "Rounds over"? Now that's some class right there.

Who says I'm a Christian anyway?

Merry Christmas.

[cleanhippie]

19. Like an old vine.

"Rounds over" is not my tag line, but if the shoe fits...

[Laochtine]

20. So we'll become stronger

Defacing your signs? You poor dear, I'll think for you

[dimbear]

8. I'm old enough to remember the uproar about antismoking advertisements.

People gradually got accustomed to them, stopped objecting, and eventually paid attention. Now practically nobody smokes. I think we can all at least hope for a similar outcome here.

[Promethean]

9. I am probably quoting this wrong and don't remember exactly who it was who said it but:

First they belittle us, then they fight us, then we win.

[JoeyT]

15. Ghandi.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

[dimbear]

17. If there were a God, He would strike that b-board with lightning. It was struck by witlings.

Draw your own conclusions.