Billboards Promoting Atheism Causing Stir In New York And New Jersey

March 5, 2012 4:15 PM

(credit: Atheists.org)

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – “You know it’s a myth… and you have a choice.”

That’s the message the American Atheists group is sending on two new billboards erected in the heart of two religious communities in our area.

One of the billboards unveiled today is in Brooklyn near the Williamsburg Bridge, with the message written in Hebrew. Another, written in Arabic, is erected in Paterson, N.J. Both billboards depict the term for God in their respective languages to the left of the message.

The billboard in Paterson is just two blocks from a mosque.

1010 WINS’ John Montone reports

American Atheists President David Silverman said the group is not trying to convert anyone.

“We’re not here to change anybody’s mind about religion, except to raise the awareness of the atheists in their population and raise tolerance of atheists on a national level,” Silverman told 1010 WINS.

Blair Scott from American Atheists says his group has been contacted by people who live within the Muslim or Jewish communities there who are struggling to “come out” as atheists.

“We’re not targeting people who are Muslim or Jewish. We are targeting the atheists in those communities,” Scott told WCBS 880.”Because the Islamic and Judaic communities are very isolationist. If you break out of the mold, you are ostracized from your family and friends.”

Mohamad El Filali, Executive Director of the Islamic Center in Passaic County, said he thinks it’s good opportunity for a discussion.

“We welcome the dialogue if they are willing,” El Filali told WCBS 880. “I’ll extend an invitation to come to the Islamic Center, and we’ll have another person from the center argue the point of ‘No, there should be a God, it’s not a myth, it’s a reality.’”

“It’s no different than saying ‘Santa Claus, you know it’s a myth.’ Any criticism, anybody that dares to question those beliefs is immediately met with ‘I’m offended’ and ‘I’m upset’ and ‘How horrible you are,’” Scott said. “Well, freedom of speech means freedom of speech, it doesn’t mean freedom of speech except when you criticize religion.”

American Atheists reportedly paid $15,000 to post the billboard at the busy Paterson intersection.

The billboards are meant to promote an upcoming atheists rally in Washington, D.C.

Last year during the holiday season, the group put up similar billboards around the area with the message, “You KNOW it’s a myth. This season celebrate REASON!”

What do you think of the billboards? Sound off in our comments section below.

Billboards Promoting Atheism Causing Stir In New York And New Jersey

Steven

So a billboard from an aethiest group is bad, but two months of Christmas symbols everywhere is just peachy. Why does everhthing have to be controversy
WoopWoop

Pesonally, I think they should have been worded a bit differently – something like “People are people, whether or not they believe.” The anti-bullying intentions of the athiest group are good, but the way the signs are phrased sounds like they’re poking people of faith with sharp sticks (for all intents and purposes, they say, “What you believe is a LIE!”).Both sides should be treated with equal repect if they want to foster true dialogue and understanding.

John

Thank you for one of the most correct reviews of the situation. You should be able to promote your own beliefs (or lack thereof) freely without trampling on the beliefs of others.

Dee

The billboards supporting respect for the life of preborn children was not allowed, but billboards supporting doubts of G-d are; I think it’s unfair that free speech is not truly supported.
karen

I am an Atheist have been my whole life. i am tired of people yelling at me on the street i have to believe. people cross the street when they see me as if i have some disease they might get from me. i just want to live my life and not have people attack me. i have to live in fear all the time. i wish they would put a billboard like that in Astoria.

littlestar

You’re gay.

karen

well that is news to me, i did not know that you know me better than i know myself.. i guess you are happy when a chld dies. are you a sadist?

JD

This is why God gave us free will. The freedom to choose. It’s up to you. You’ll be wondering why we’re in heaven with our imaginary friend in the sky and you’re not.

God bless.

Eileen Hughes Tracey

That’s because this God everyone touts, is a vengeful God..

Mary Jo

If atheists were truly convinced of their belief and comfortable with it, they would feel no need to “come out” or try to rationalize or address the issue at all. Something (or Someone) is knocking at their hearts and they are in denial.
Open up to what is beautiful and true!

Boomer

Burden of proof is on you, Mary Jo- prove to me it is “true”
Mary Jo

How do you “prove” a relationship you have with another person? I am serious.

Michael H.

That’s not what Boomer is asking you to prove. We’ve all had imaginary friends. Most of us outgrow them in grade school. What he is asking is that you prove yours exists.

Mary Jo

Just take a good look at the intricacy of nature and the human body. It all came together by chance? That is like a monkey sitting at a computer and banging on the keys and just randomly typing “Hamlet.” And then there is the whole question of love. Where does that come from? And the deep and stirring answers to my particular prayers when I need them answered or pray for an insight. It may sound trite, but to one who believes, no proof is necessary, and to one who does not believe, no proof is possible.

Michael H.

There is actually the “infinite monkey theorem” wherein you sit an infinite amount of monkeys at an infinite number of typewriters they will eventually, given an infinite amount of time, write out Shakespeare’s complete works.

It is by no means chance but the laws of physics, chemistry and biology at work. Atomic bonds create molecules. Molecular bonds create complex proteins, so on and so forth. Given billions of years it is entirely possible (and apparently, probable since it has happened here) for life to arise from simple pre-cellular structures. We’ve witnessed it in a laboratory setting.

If you want to throw out the “where does that come from?” question, then you have to ask the same exact thing about your god. That question goes both ways. The beauty of science is that we are free to say “well, we don’t know. we have some ideas and we’re testing them out, but we may never know, and we’re ok with that.” The theist simply says “god did it” and stops seeking new knowledge.

As for your final statement, I beg to differ. Bring be proof of a deity. Proof that can be tested in a controlled setting and peer reviewed. Bring me that proof and then I will believe in your deity.

Mary Jo

Laws of physics, chemistry and biology???? Where did they come from?
If God could be created He would not be God! There can be no atoms without a Creator.
Pascal said it most clearly. Look up “Paslcal’s wager” — simply put, there are 4 possibilities for us:
If I believe in God and it turns out there is no God, I have lost nothing because if there is no God, there is no life after death, so no regrets and I just cease to exist.
If I believe in God and it turns out there IS a God, I have eternal life (provided I live my life according to my belief).
If I do not believe in God and it turns out there is no God, again, nothing after death.
If I do not believe in God and it turns out there IS a God…well, you can draw your own conclusion. An awfully big “OOPS!”
Blaise Pascal was one of the greatest minds in history and his wager makes complete sense.

Cathy M.

And by that logic, there can’t be a creator without a creator creator. And there can’t be a creator creator without a creator creator creator. To acknowledge that there had to be a beginning, you have to acknowledge that before the beginning, there was nothing. Religious Myths say that God created everything in six days and rested on the 7th day. You fail to see the logic fails in your own logic.
Michael H.

You’re making what’s known as a “god of the gaps” argument, and it has been a flawed argument from its invention.

“You can’t explain how this works, so it MUST be god!!”

See how ridiculous that sounds?

As for Pascal. Why should I believe in the Judeo-Christian god? Why are you picking the right god? What if Zeus is the right god? What about Shiva? Why not Ra? You’re doing what’s called making an “argument from inconsistent revelations”. It’s also an argument from an inauthentic belief. “You should believe in god for the simple reason that if you don’t, you’ll burn in hell!”
littlestar

Good girl Mary Jo !

Chuck

The problem comes from a lack of tolerance and respect for each other as human beings. Any person will feel uncomfortable expressing their beliefs, ideals, etc if someone else tells them they are wrong for making that choice. I don’t believe in god, but my best friend does. I respect his choice to believe and he respects my choice not to. Although we have had several discussions of our beliefs over the years, neither of us has ever tried to force the other to “switch sides.”

karen

Chuck i agree, that is why it is so hard on me when people scream at me,and follow behind me on the side walk sayhng i have to believe. is there some law i don’t know about, so i am forced to hide. Astoria is a very difficult place for an atheist.

val

Karen, who are these people and how do they know you’re an atheist unless you somehow adverise it? I have never heard of anyone being randomly harrassed for not believing in something.

karen

to Val they were so called friends. my family suffered a tragic loss of a child. when i told these friends they were so happy. they told me how the child wanted to die. that she is happy she is now with jesus, i won’t go into every thing they said to me i was stunned, with what they said. I was in so much pain and they were so happy she was dead. that was when i snapped and said i was an atheist, and quickly walked away from them. after that they saw me as a a person with a terrible disease. i had to speak up no one has the right to push their religion down any ones throat. they are no longer my friends they are out of my life.

Darlene Mapes

I will pray for all of you Athiests, that you see the light before it is too late. Praise the Lord and all his good works, He saved me in 2000 and continues to Bless me everyday. I would be in total darkness without him!

R.N.

I’m with you Darlene. I will pray with you. God help them all.
Lamar

yeah and there are millions of other people from thousands of different religions who have the same story. The fact of the matter is, science and reason is exposing the belief in your imaginary friend in the sky in a way that’s never been done in the history of all christianity. Pretty soon the Bible will be in the mythology section of bookstores and libraries and no amount of prayer are idol threats of judgement is going to change that.

Mary Jo

Science and reason both support the existence of God because He made them! They are definitely not at odds.

Michael H.

That is incredibly circular and flawed logic.

john

You are an ignorant punk.
Eileen Hughes Tracey

First explain to me,”His good works”.. Just what are they ?

michaelfury

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/thepassion/
Matt

It’s hope not faith
You hope your going to heaven
R.N.

It states in the Bible that soon people will believe that there is no God and they will be lead astray by non believers ( Athiests) and God will be mocked. Well, I guess it’s all coming true! How come this was writen 2000 years ago and it is happening now? True, people have the right to believe in what they want to believe, but as for me, there is only one God, a true and loving God, that is soon to appear and everyone will know who he is. I will NEVER be led astray in what I believe. I will stay on Gods side. I am strong!!!

Michael H.

You do that. These billboards are not meant for you. Read the article next time and you will understand exactly what these billboards are about.

Chany

I believe in GOD and Jesus Christ. Everyone chooses its destiny and what to go for. If you feel good like that, Amen.
R.N.

It states in the Bible that soon there will no God. People will mock him and stop believing there is a God. I guess it is all coming true. So tell me, how come what is in this book, written 2000 years ago, is happening now? If anyone chooses to be an Atheist, that’s fine, but we all are going to see who the true God is very soon. Billboords or not, cannot take my faith away from the only LIVING God there is!!!! I rest my case!!!

ejones

People have been claiming that “the bible is coming true” for 2000 years, and predicting the end of times just as long.

You have no case, rested or otherwise.

diver

I would be an athiest but I just don’t give a crap. Believe what you wish just don’t force your opinions on me. A lesson the GOP has yet to understand.

jack

diver, the Republicans arguing religious belief are campaigning harder for Obama than he is for himself.

Tillie

But a billboard that says God loves you, would never be allowed.
I find it very offensive that any mention of Jesus Christ or God is
strictly shunned, yet it is perfectly okay to make a derogatory
reference about God.

hereandnow

Pro-religion billboards go up every day, all over the country. There is no impediment to them, provided the billboard operator is willing to take that business.
Michael H.

There are Christian billboards EVERYWHERE in this country. Doesn’t your god say “Thou shalt not bear false witness”? That means DON’T LIE.

shortb101

ahmen lmao

SantaClaus

Santa Claus is real. To say he isn’t is just as presumptuous as the atheists. Wa-CHO!
Jane

Why do the atheists care what people believe? Just like the religious freaks that try to convert everyone, here they are trying to force people into being atheist. Atheism has become their religion. Hypocrites.

hereandnow

Try reading the article before you comment — it clearly states that their message is for people within those insular religious communities who don’t believe but are afraid to make their position known due to pressure from their community.

They are clear that it is not about conversion.
jack

Atheists, and others would be very content were the Constitution to read “…freedom FROM religion…” which would leave you free to practice your faith and leave me free from religious groups tinkering with the law. This is not a Judeo/Christian nation, it was founded by DEISTS.

Steven

Does everyone have to believe in a god?

littlestar

No I guess, but you must recognise sin.

toovy

What does it mean to “Believe in G-d”?

The Short Answer:

To believe in G-d means not that you’re of the opinion that He exists, but that you have found relevance in Him.

The Askmoses Answer:

Belief

Even the honest atheist will agree that a first cause, an original being, must have preceded the universe. This original cause or source is what so humbled Einstein, although he incorrectly described it as a religious experience. The questions of faith begin with how we understand this First Cause, its nature, and its relationship to us and to the universe

http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/422,2065718/What-does-it-mean-to-Believe-in-G-d.html

JJ

What’s with you people and the dash?
hereandnow

The argument falls apart in the first sentence, as it is NOT a given that it is “honest” to believe in an “original being.”

On the question of the existence of God, the ONLY intellectually honest answer is “I don’t know.”

Anything else falls into the realm of belief, which is unprovable and about which you can make no concrete assumptions.
jack

Your attempt at an academic discussion comes way too late in the life of a believer who was force fed and indoctrinated at a tender age, 6-7-8 years old with the accompanying parental push. No thought given beyond where to hold the party, and no questions asked beyond who to invite. Cannon fodder.

Ron Darcy

God is alive and well! Someday even non-believers will see the Light of God! He is always there with open arms to welcome you back…The billbords only strenghten my faith and remind me to pray! God Bless you all!

Eileen Hughes Tracey

You’re funny..

littlestar

Mark David Chapman

J

Equally presumptuous as Mormons baptizing dead Jews.

hereandnow

Read the article — they are reaching out to the non-believers who live in insular religious communities, not seeking to force conversions.

Att. Hoar

I believe in the “Tooth Fairy” and thats my perogative
The Facts

They have every right to express their opinions. However, why pick a fight?

Michael H.

You’re not reading “The Facts”. Read the article again. No fights are being picked. They’re reaching out to closeted atheists within those communities. This is about telling people who are afraid of persecution that they are not alone.

The Facts

Who, exactly, is persecuting atheists in this country?

Michael H.

Tried to answer at length, but the censors here at CBS decided it’s better than I don’t. I’ll only refer to a 2003 study done by the University of Minnesota. Google it.

Ayatollah Bikh-I-Ni

And I thought the message was referring to democracy …

Robert

LOL Niiiiiice!!

Jessica

I think it is about time.

Eileen Hughes Tracey

Structured Religion is the ruination of mankind.. The only purpose it serves is to keep us all separated, instead of working towards the greater good..
True Believer

We are all born with the essence of God which is love. God believes in you. Strive to seek truth and love in your lives. Surround yourselves with things that are positive and good. Give to others wisdom that will encourage, enlighten, and change the world & its people through loving one another, heal, forgive, and embrace.
Billboards with positive things of love & God inspire me and hopefully others too.
It is fine to question and doubt —>But search for truth. You can only believe with love in your heart. Praying for all of you and sending you love, faith & grace.

Rodin

“We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.” ~ Richard Dawkins

michaelfury

You know it’s a myth…
and you have a choice.

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/between-us-and-the-enveloping-darkness/

Jerry

I want to be around when you are on your deathbed w/ a set of Rosary beads or other spiritual reassurances
” There’s no atheist in a foxhole”

Rodin

ANOTHER PARROT WITHOUT AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT

I repeat: Happy to report that in a near death situation I had the strength to kick a Catholic sorcerer come grab my soul out of my hospital room. No need for prayer when there’s no fear of death, which I’ve long accepted as my natural end.

PLEASE SEE:
http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/

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