Billboard of Intolerance

[CandidGamera]

So, driving to work a couple weeks ago, I first noticed this new billboard. I didn't commit it to memory at the time, but it struck me that I should mention it here on the board, and this morning, I finally remembered to read it and let it stick in my head.

To Lunatic Atheists and Their Lawyers:

Anti-God is Anti-American.
Anti-American is Treason.
Traitors Lead to Civil War.

Even in West Virginia, it struck me as out of place. That's some serious venom. There's also an address on the bototm of the board, maybe he's daring people to respond..

[gobear]

Meh, nutjob fundie with too much money and time on his hands. Pay no mind.

[NurseCarmen]

Fascism with a twist of religion. Isn't that cute?

[Roland Orzabal]

Is that a highway billboard, or is it in a commercial district? Because if it's anywhere near a sidewalk, I would have to spend a few hours standing across the street from it, taking note of how many people walk by it, smile, and nod (or otherwise express approval). I would then go home and be very, very depressed.

Yeah, this is the sort of thing I do for fun.

[Mr. Moto]

I just glue quarters to the shopping mall floor and watch people try to pick them up.

[Liberal]

Traitors Lead to Civil WarDamn yankees. A founder is a traitor who wins the war.

[Daithi Lacha]

I wouldn't mind so much, free speech and all, but all three lines are syllogisms! The only way you could make that argument work is if, when your opponent spoke, you stuck your fingers in your ears and went LALALALALACAN'THEARYOULALALALA!

[Liberal]

I wouldn't mind so much, free speech and all, but all three lines are syllogisms! The only way you could make that argument work is if, when your opponent spoke, you stuck your fingers in your ears and went LALALALALACAN'THEARYOULALALALA!Actually, it would be the whole argument — and not any individual "line" — that is a syllogism. But it's not valid anyway because the conclusion is a non sequitur. The correct conclusion to the major premise and minor premise as given would be "Anti-God is Treason".

[Kimstu]

I'm always baffled by anti-atheists who reach for an argument against atheism and come up with "unpatriotic". Denying the Holy Word of God, rejecting Divine love and salvation, burning in hell for all eternity---those are just details, apparently. But impugning atheists' patriotism---ooh, now that's harsh! Huh?

I guess maybe they're trying to pre-empt the much more defensible argument that religious intolerance is anti-American.

[tdn]

The correct conclusion to the major premise and minor premise as given would be "Anti-God is Treason".

Actually, wouldn't it be "Anti-God leads to civil war"?

[Fuji Kitakyusho]

Atheists, by definition, cannot be "anti-god", for the same reason that they cannot be "anti-tooth-fairy".

[CandidGamera]

Is that a highway billboard, or is it in a commercial district? Because if it's anywhere near a sidewalk, I would have to spend a few hours standing across the street from it, taking note of how many people walk by it, smile, and nod (or otherwise express approval). I would then go home and be very, very depressed.

Yeah, this is the sort of thing I do for fun.

Commercial. In what passes for downtown, actually, here.

[Liberal]

Actually, wouldn't it be "Anti-God leads to civil war"?No, 'cause theres nothing about anything "leading to" anything in either the major premise or the minor premise. Otherwise, you could have syllogisms like this:

Moses was a Jew
Jews are the chosen people
Therefore, being Moses leads to being chosen

(When in fact, being Jewish leads to being chosen)

And that is setting aside that neither premise says anything about civil war either. The whole thing is just not a wiff (well formed formula).

[audiobottle]

I'm curious as to why BillTheBoard included their lawyers? Is there something going on right now in courts involving God and treason? And since when did traitors lead to Civil War?

[Abbie Carmichael]

Whoever paid for the billboard is a WVU fan. Why are you expecting sanity?

*ducks and runs*

:D

[tdn]

No, 'cause theres nothing about anything "leading to" anything in either the major premise or the minor premise. Otherwise, you could have syllogisms like this:

Not being well-versed in symbolic logic, I'm going to have to take your word for it. Besides, that billboard is such a load of tripe that it's hardly worth working up a sweat in the first place.

CandidGamera, who or what paid for that message?

[Robot Arm]

Anti-God is Anti-American.
Anti-American is Treason.
Traitors Lead to Civil War.And the Civil War led to West Virginia. What's this guy's problem?

[Liberal]

Not being well-versed in symbolic logic, I'm going to have to take your word for it. Besides, that billboard is such a load of tripe that it's hardly worth working up a sweat in the first place.Yeah, you're right. The whole thing is malformed. Its premises are false. And it's just plain stupid. But since this is the Dope and all, here's a pretty good page on syllogisms for you, if you're interested:

http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e08a.htm

[Anaamika]

tdn is right. That billboard doesn't really bother me. It's so silly and over the top...still assholish enough to draw me in here, though.

I find it funny to be called a "lunatic atheist" though. Is it my atheism that's driving me insane? Or am I insane to be atheist?

[CandidGamera]

Whoever paid for the billboard is a WVU fan. Why are you expecting sanity?

*ducks and runs*

:D

Despite being a WVU grad, I don't give a rat's patoot about the football program, so you can bleed green all over the thread if you feel like it. ;) :p

tdn - I didn't commit the address given on the board to memory, I'll try to scope it out tomorrow morning.

[tdn]

And the Civil War led to West Virginia. What's this guy's problem?

You ever been to West Virginia?

:D

[tdn]

I find it funny to be called a "lunatic atheist" though. Is it my atheism that's driving me insane? Or am I insane to be atheist?

Your insanity led you to not only become an atheist, but an unpatriotic traitor as well. It's almost like you weren't even born in this country!

[Daithi Lacha]

Yeah, you're right. The whole thing is malformed. Its premises are false. And it's just plain stupid. But since this is the Dope and all, here's a pretty good page on syllogisms for you, if you're interested:

http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e08a.htm
Ow! Now my brain hurts!
Anyway, what're you trying to do - make me think while I'm at work?

I'm not quite sure I fathom the purpose of this billboard; seriously, how many people will lokk at it and think it makes perfect sense to them?

[tdn]

Yeah, you're right. The whole thing is malformed. Its premises are false. And it's just plain stupid. But since this is the Dope and all, here's a pretty good page on syllogisms for you, if you're interested:

http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e08a.htm

Thanks for that. I'm going to have to look at it when I have a bit more peace and quiet.

As for the implied conclusion of the offending billboard: Does atheism lead to civil war? Ridiculous, sure, but you have no idea how many times in the past few years I've almost typed "It's almost like we're gearing up for religious civil war in this country" in this forum. It seems like both sides are raising the stakes to extreme levels. And it seems like the deists are doing most of the raising, though that might just be my own perspective. I don't think it's horribly absurd to imagine the national religion debate turning to armed conflict at some point. Or maybe my imagination is getting the best of me.

Maybe that's a subject for GD or IMHO.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Reminds me of a billboard near the college I went to, The Evergreen State College. It had a scary-looking Uncle Sam on it (or maybe it was Skeletor dressed up as Uncle Sam), and the guy who owned it would put up different crazy stuff on it from time to time, all directed at how awful them liberals were.

One time he put up the phrase:
THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE: HOME OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERRORISTS AND HOMOSEXUALS.

A photograph of that billboard was the campus bookstore's bestselling postcard.

Daniel

[Anaamika]

Your insanity led you to not only become an atheist, but an unpatriotic traitor as well. It's almost like you weren't even born in this country!

Um.

I wasn't.

But I did take citizenship vows! I'm a citizen now!

[beergeek279]

As soon as I saw the name in the OP, I knew exactly what billboard this was going to be pitting. Fortunately, I very rarely go that way since that's not on the way to campus for me (only when I head up to WesBanco, and since they're not giving away money for free, don't do that very often!)

Personally, it struck me as very odd around here, mostly since I call this Morgantown, Pennsylvania (as opposed to Greene and Fayette County, West Virginia), but I laugh it off mostly since apparently the guy has never read the Founding Fathers' ideas on religion, which certainly have been discussed here to no end so no elaboration is needed.

Ohh, and I AM a Mountaineer football fan (live 200 yards from the stadium). No need to bring those forgotten souls down south into the discussion (worst part is that I can't bring up anything about their football nosedive, lest I be accused of being in poor taste).

[Blalron]

Maybe we dopers should pool our money together to put up a liberal billboards in one of the most wacko conservative parts of the country, just to ruffle their feathers. I'd throw down 50 bucks for the cause. :D

[CandidGamera]

Ohh, and I AM a Mountaineer football fan (live 200 yards from the stadium). No need to bring those forgotten souls down south into the discussion (worst part is that I can't bring up anything about their football nosedive, lest I be accused of being in poor taste).

Geez! Depending which direction you live from the stadium, you could be my next-door neighbor, there.

[Liberal]

Maybe we dopers should pool our money together to put up a liberal billboards in one of the most wacko conservative parts of the country, just to ruffle their feathers. I'd throw down 50 bucks for the cause. :DI have a suggestion:

WHY DOES THIS MAN HATE AMERICA?

[Picture of Jesus (traditional, that they will recognize)]

"Love your enemies."

[Maus Magill]

tdn is right. That billboard doesn't really bother me. It's so silly and over the top...still assholish enough to draw me in here, though.

I find it funny to be called a "lunatic atheist" though. Is it my atheism that's driving me insane? Or am I insane to be atheist?

It's the moon that drives your atheism.

[beergeek279]

Geez! Depending which direction you live from the stadium, you could be my next-door neighbor, there.

On the side of the Health Campus away from Evansdale...basically down from the student gate to the stadium, near Chateau Royale and Georgetown.

[rjung]

Traitors Lead to Civil War.
Why don't we skip the Civil War and jump straight to the division of the union? (http://www.kenlayne.com/2004/11/secret_jesusland.html)

Affordable health care, a low crime rate, competent leadership (well, relatively speaking), and no more annoying right-wing nutjobs? Sign me up!

[CandidGamera]

On the side of the Health Campus away from Evansdale...basically down from the student gate to the stadium, near Chateau Royale and Georgetown.

Heh. Not terribly far. I'm over on Stewartstown Rd.

[F. U. Shakespeare]

Where is the board located? (I'm from Morgantown).

[CandidGamera]

Where is the board located? (I'm from Morgantown).

University Ave, just after you cross Patteson Drive, heading towards the 'Y' where University splits from Collins Ferry Rd.

[Robot Arm]

Reminds me of a billboard near the college I went to,...Fellow Geoduck here, class of '90.

How did you wind up all the way out in North Carolina?

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Your insanity led you to not only become an atheist, but an unpatriotic traitor as well. It's almost like you weren't even born in this country!Um.

I wasn't.

But I did take citizenship vows! I'm a citizen now!
Me neither, and I'm not. Nyah! I can be an Anti-whatever now! Yay!

I'm always baffled by anti-atheists who reach for an argument against atheism and come up with "unpatriotic". Denying the Holy Word of God, rejecting Divine love and salvation, burning in hell for all eternity---those are just details, apparently. But impugning atheists' patriotism---ooh, now that's harsh! Huh?

I guess maybe they're trying to pre-empt the much more defensible argument that religious intolerance is anti-American.

I'm always baffled how people can think that Athiesm = Unpatriotic in a country that supposedly separates Church and State. Can someone explain that one to me?

[Anaamika]

Me neither, and I'm not. Nyah! I can be an Anti-whatever now! Yay!



I'm always baffled how people can think that Athiesm = Unpatriotic in a country that supposedly separates Church and State. Can someone explain that one to me?

*throws a rock at GingerOfTheNorth*

As for your question, we have no answer and will get back to you. But even the senior Bush said something to this effect, or so I'm told.

[Fritz]

Maybe we dopers should pool our money together to put up a liberal billboards in one of the most wacko conservative parts of the country, just to ruffle their feathers. I'd throw down 50 bucks for the cause. :D

I'll throw in another 50 bucks at least. Gotta have some way to see the reactions, though. Maybe a concealed webcam...

[Zebra]

To Lunatic Atheists and Their Lawyers:

Anti-God is Anti-American.
Anti-American is Treason.
Traitors Lead to Civil War.


And Civil War leads to Chicken Strips.




I always these kinds of IQ tests.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Fellow Geoduck here, class of '90.

How did you wind up all the way out in North Carolina?
Hi there! The correct question, however, is "How did a North Carolinian end up all the way out in Olympia?" and the answer is that it was 3500 miles away from home, that's how. (or at least why).

As for why I came back, it's simple: I realized that North Carolina was home.

Daniel

[litost]

"god Is Like Asperin
He Will Take Your Headache Away"

[Lightnin']

For completeness, it SHOULD be:

To Lunatic Theists and Their Lawyers:

God leads to Anti-God.
Anti-God is Anti-American.
Anti-American is Treason.
Traitors Lead to Civil War.

Or would that not be what the billboard author wants to convey? :wally

No, I'm NOT saying theists are to blame, or addressing it to thiests. Only LUNATIC theists.

[rjung]

I'm always baffled how people can think that Athiesm = Unpatriotic in a country that supposedly separates Church and State. Can someone explain that one to me?
The people who think "Atheism = Unpatriotic" also think "Separation of Church and State = bad idea." Which speaks volumes about the thinker, if ya asks me...

[Vlad/Igor]

I'm always baffled by anti-atheists who reach for an argument against atheism and come up with "unpatriotic".
We have our Lord's Prayer: The Pledge of Allegiance; we have our religious symbol" the flag; We have our religious text: the Constitution and Bill of Rights. What we have is a secular religion whose end result is patriotism, nationalism and devotion to "America" not seen in many other secular countries. Despite our constitutional distinction between the govenment and a state-sponsored religious insitution, we blur the lined between our country and the Christian God because of our national secular religion.

Vlad/Igor

[NDP]

Reminds me of a billboard near the college I went to, The Evergreen State College. It had a scary-looking Uncle Sam on it (or maybe it was Skeletor dressed up as Uncle Sam), and the guy who owned it would put up different crazy stuff on it from time to time, all directed at how awful them liberals were.

One time he put up the phrase:

THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE: HOME OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERRORISTS AND HOMOSEXUALS.

A photograph of that billboard was the campus bookstore's bestselling postcard.

Daniel
Dorkness, this is a bit OT, but was this billboard along I-5 near Chehalis, Washington? Because your description sounds exactly like one I've seen around there that always seems to have a different John Bircher-type message on it every time I drive by. From what I've been told, this guy gets around the anti-billboard laws because he owns the property where the billboard is.

[Robot Arm]

NDP, yeah, that's the one.

[tripthicket]

Every time I hear about something like this, I again think how ironic it is that a significant portion of our populace wants two things:

1. Our government should be driven by religious ideals.

2. Other countries that are driven by opposing religious ideals should be forcefully dealt with.

Boilerplate disclaimer: if we ever stop having at least two sides to any discussion, then the terrorists win.

[Lightnin']

Every time I hear about something like this, I again think how ironic it is that a significant portion of our populace wants two things:

1. Our government should be driven by religious ideals.

2. Other countries that are driven by opposing religious ideals should be forcefully dealt with.


There's no contradiction, tripthicket- you see, they want our government driven by religious ideals, and to forcibly deal with countries driven by opposing religious ideals because our religious ideals are the correct ones.

They're unable to draw a parallel between their religion and the damn furriner's religion because, obviously, the damn furriners are wrong, and need to be saved from themselves. At gunpoint, if need be.

[racinchikki]

This sort of thing makes me very sad for our country.

[uglybeech]

As an atheist I think it would be nice to work up a little outrage over this. It's hate speech. Retarded hate speech, sure, but definitely hate speech. We can laugh it off but I'm beginning to think I'll be laughing at these yahoos all the way to my mass grave. Just like I'll be snorting at how GWB says nucular when he announces the missiles are flying. These people aren't competely stupid. They've just realized there's no percentage in looking intelligent. After all if you refuse to acknowledge logic it can't hurt you.

[EmeraldGrue]

I have a suggestion:

WHY DOES THIS MAN HATE AMERICA?

[Picture of Jesus (traditional, that they will recognize)]

"Love your enemies."
:D Despite whatever Pitworthy stuff you've said or done in the past, that's zarking genius. I'd contribute a bit of Canadian money to get that billboard in the news.

[beergeek279]

Heh. Not terribly far. I'm over on Stewartstown Rd.

Ahh, a little country living (well, until WVU develops their tech park, and puts in parking and a PRT extension out that way, anyway!)

Shouldn't bring up the PRT as it provokes visceral anger!..........worthy of a Pit thread on its own accord............

[Punoqllads]

God is Love.
Love is Blind.
Ray Charles is Blind.
Ray Charles is Dead.
therefore, God is Dead.

Proving that Nietzsche was a man ahead of his time.

[Derleth]

Liberal, that is a great billboard idea. I can only imagine how the pharisees would respond.

[DanBlather]

Reminds me of a billboard near the college I went to, The Evergreen State College. It had a scary-looking Uncle Sam on it (or maybe it was Skeletor dressed up as Uncle Sam), and the guy who owned it would put up different crazy stuff on it from time to time, all directed at how awful them liberals were.

One time he put up the phrase:


A photograph of that billboard was the campus bookstore's bestselling postcard.

DanielThe owner of the billboard just died.

[Ephemera]

This reminds me of a billboard that is near the city limits of my hometown that said something along the lines of Saturday is the True Day of the Lord and all those that worship on Sunday shall burn in Hell and in light of the message on the OP's board, it makes me smile -- it's not Them against Us, it's (Them vs. Them vs. Them) against Us.

Them and us being the irrational and rational, not necessarily theists and atheists.

[elmwood]

I'm curious as to why BillTheBoard included their lawyers?

My WAG is that it's a stab against the "liberal" ACLU.

[CandidGamera]

Darn! I forgot to check for the author's name this morning. I'll try to remember tomorrow.

[Maus Magill]

This reminds me of a billboard that is near the city limits of my hometown that said something along the lines of Saturday is the True Day of the Lord and all those that worship on Sunday shall burn in Hell and in light of the message on the OP's board, it makes me smile -- it's not Them against Us, it's (Them vs. Them vs. Them) against Us.

Them and us being the irrational and rational, not necessarily theists and atheists.
There was a similar one by my work a few months ago. It said something along the lines of, "Saturday is the true day of the Lord. Sunday is a sign of the Beast."

I figured it was put up by some particularly rabid Seventh Day Adventist or something.

[Ephemera]

Now that you reminded me, the Mark of the Beast nonsense is what it said and considering my hometown (Cleveland, TN) is just 140 miles north of Atlanta, there's a good chance the same organization is responsible for both billboards. Or, if not, I'd rather not know.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

The owner of the billboard just died.

Commies, probably.

Daniel

[CandidGamera]

A-ha! Checked on the way back from lunch. The address posted at the bottom belongs to a Reverend Briggs.

[Leroy Brown]

I did a Google of Reverend Briggs and got this:

Reverend Briggs' bio starts on page 3 (.pdf file) (http://www.founderspatriots.org/pdf/va_news_04_10.pdf)

[Anaamika]

*singing*

Bad, bad, bad, Leroy Brown
The baddest man in the whole damn town!
Badder than a 'ol King Kong
Meaner than a junkyard dog!

[Leroy Brown]

Giddyap :D

[Anaamika]

You reminded me of one of my favorite childhood songs! (Not that I'm that old, I just liked it as a child).

Hope you stick around!

[Leroy Brown]

I'm sure I'll subscribe when my guest status expires. This is a great MB, I hope I can contribute.

Righ now I've got my "60's and 70's" MP3 folder open. Going through Chicago's stuff with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young up next. I'm not old either in that my generation's music is 80's and 90's, but I just can't get excited about music with no guitars in it (I play acoustic).

Sorry to hijack, here's my "favorite" Chick tract to get somewhat back on subject.

Somebody Loves Me (http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0006/0006_01.asp)

[Anaamika]

The kid died? The fucking kid died?

Aargh!

[TJdude825]

I can't find it now, but there was a flash animation going around before the election which was supposed to be a political ad for Jesus' presidential candidacy. It was very much in the spirit of Liberal's proposed billboard, using Bible quotes to show that Jesus was exactly the type of liberal person that any conservative Christian ought to hate.

Anyway, I'd still be interested in the URL on the billboard, if anyone wants to go jot it down.

[elucidator]

You ever been to West Virginia?

:D

That's not the question. "Did you go back?" That's the question.

[Legolamb]

I guess maybe they're trying to pre-empt the much more defensible argument that religious intolerance is anti-American.
Not to condone petty vandalism, but I'd love to see something to that effect as an impromptu addition to that billboard.

[Miller]

"Billboard of Intolerance"? That was in 1st edition Unearthed Arcana, wasn't it?

[NDP]

Maybe we dopers should pool our money together to put up a liberal billboards in one of the most wacko conservative parts of the country, just to ruffle their feathers. I'd throw down 50 bucks for the cause.

Which reminds me, why is it the people who post billboards or public signs with their political views are almost always far right-wing John Bircher-types? There have to be a few cases where some left-winger's felt the need to put up a big sign displaying his liberal opinions for all the world to see.

[Leaper]

You reminded me of one of my favorite childhood songs! (Not that I'm that old, I just liked it as a child).


How do you know he didn't name himself after Encyclopedia instead? :D

[SolGrundy]

"Billboard of Intolerance"? That was in 1st edition Unearthed Arcana, wasn't it?
2nd edition, I believe. If you see it, you have to roll a saving throw against God.

[Miller]

2nd edition, I believe. If you see it, you have to roll a saving throw against God.

No, you're thinking of Bigby's Billboard of Bigotry.

[CandidGamera]

I marvel that a 96 year old man would still have the will to care so much about lunatic atheists as to have that billboard put up.

[Anaamika]

How do you know he didn't name himself after Encyclopedia instead? :D

Encyclopedia Brown was created in 1963? I just went and looked it up. I swear, I'd not heard of him until I was an adult. I was going to come in here and say, well, he was way after I grew up.

But apparently not!!!!

[whiterabbit]

I marvel that a 96 year old man would still have the will to care so much about lunatic atheists as to have that billboard put up.

Why not? He probably had lots of time to think. Some people chill out when they get old, some don't.

[Balle_M]

University Ave, just after you cross Patteson Drive, heading towards the 'Y' where University splits from Collins Ferry Rd.

Cool! That's about a block from my house.

[Kaitlyn]

What I'm upset about is that it leaves us pagans out.

It's the fallacy of the excluded middle--atheists and Christians.

Mrs. Six and I regularly attempt to undermine the moral fabric of America with our evil pagan rituals*, but do we get a mention? It's unfair, I tell you.


*sometimes called a tea ceremony.

[Anaamika]

Tea ceremony?

Kaitlyn, dear, it's called an orgy. That's how pagans celebrate.

[Miller]

I thought it was called a "lingerie pillow fight."

[F. U. Shakespeare]

M, maybe you could get a spray can and amend it to read:

Anti-God is Anti-American.
Anti-American is Treason.
Traitors Lead to Civil War.
I'm dead

Cool! That's about a block from my house.
The owner of the billboard just died.

[F. U. Shakespeare]

Upon viewing my last post, I see that I have juxtaposed two quotes in such a way that it might look like Balle_M is rejoicing the death of the billboard owner.

This is not the case, it was not my intention, and I apologize if anyone got the wrong impression.

I personally know Balle_M, and I know that he would never have such a sentiment.

[Kimstu]

I think the deceased billboard owner that Dorkness and DanBlather were talking about is the one over by Evergreen College in the Pacific Northwest.

No idea about the actuarial status of the frothing turd responsible for the "billboard of intolerance" in the OP.

[matt_mcl]

Kaitlyn, dear, it's called an orgy. That's how pagans celebrate.

Well, unless we're too tired. Then we just put on some incense and sit there for a little while.

When we're not tired, though... ooh, boy.

[Abbie Carmichael]

*passes through thread, leaving trail of green blood*




GO HERD!






Hey, CandidGamera said I could ...