# Are these very insulting Atheist billboards attacking Christianity & Mormonism really the way to go? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 23, 2012, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357 "2012-08-23T05:33:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/1 "2012-08-23T05:33:24Z")
I’m not much of a believer in supernatural beings, [but these Atheist billboards](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/22/signs-attack-religion-ahead-democratic-convention/)have such a juvenile and mocking tone I really don’t think they are accomplishing much to make people respect Atheists or Atheism. > [@](#): > > Just as the city of Charlotte, N.C., gears up to host the Democratic National Convention, an atheist group is mounting a billboard campaign attacking the religious faiths of President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney. > > The signs, paid for by American Atheists Incorporated (AAI) and appearing along keylocal highways, include messages such as: “Christianity: Sadistic God, Useless Savior” and “Mormonism: Magic Underwear, Baptizes Dead People, Big Money, Big Bigotry.” AAI President David Silverman told [FoxNews.com](http://FoxNews.com) the signs are aimed at keeping religion and politics separate as the convention gets under way Sept. 3. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/2 "2012-08-23T05:43:49Z")
The religious don’t respect atheists anyway. I agree that the billboards are silly, but they’re doing no harm. Although you’ve linked a Faux News story, so we can reasonably assume that there’s not a bit of truth to any of it. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/3 "2012-08-23T05:50:41Z")
I’m a hardcore atheist. I think the signs do more harm than good. I would like to get the message out but in a more compassionate way. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/4 "2012-08-23T05:52:25Z")
For some, basically their only exposure to atheism would be those billboards and the Fox News report. That’s a problem. No, all publicity is not good publicity. Some is counterproductive. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/5 "2012-08-23T06:01:49Z")
Christianity is just the default in this country for people who don’t really give a fuck one way or the other. Those are the ones who are most likely to be swayed, so getting their attention with something like that is not a bad strategy. Obviously it’s not going to convince a devout Christian, nor is it trying to. And if you’re already an atheist then you don’t need these attention-seeking tactics, but you’re not the target either. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/6 "2012-08-23T06:18:29Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > I’m a hardcore atheist. I think the signs do more harm than good. I would like to get the message out but in a more compassionate way. Total agreement. These aren’t principled beliefs, but just snark. It’s the worst side of atheism, much the same way as Rush Limbaugh is the worst side of conservatism. We should not be lying in his bed! It’s full of cooties. Atheist billboards, if they should exist at all, should take a higher road. For example, “I had no need of that hypothesis: Laplace.” That would be a much better assertion of the atheist viewpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/7 "2012-08-23T06:21:33Z")
I’m Christian and I don’t have a problem with the bill boards. I agree with the people above that they’re not impressive. They come off as an Internet rant, but hey, it’s their money and they found a vendor willing to rent them the space. Somehow, I’m thinking that the FoxNews coverage isn’t going to net them a whole lot of new members. I went to their web site and they have a “American Atheists’ Conference Code of Conduct” that makes me wonder what goes on at their conferences. Just on paragraph of the one and a half page document: > [@](#): > > Yes means yes; no means no; and maybe means no. Please take no for an answer for any request or activity. You are encouraged to ask for unequivocal consent for all activities during the conference. **No touching other people without asking. This includes hands on knees, backs, shoulders—and hugs (ask first!).** There are folks who do not like to be touched and will respect and like you more if you respect their personal space. No hugs! ---
**Author:** ![MaltLiquor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@MaltLiquor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaltLiquor)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/8 "2012-08-23T06:28:48Z")
I am not sure what I am. I could be an Atheist, sometimes I think I may be Agnostic, never quite Christian but the core has good ideas, I can go on and on. It really dosen’t matter does it? Whby would it matter what you believe, this type of crap is offensive. I am not sure how to word this…(15 minutes and 1000 backspaces later) oh yeah, just beleive what you beleive. It is a bit disconcerting that people that don’t have a religion can still be as intolerant as they that do. That’s it…I have given up on the human race. Go Wombats! ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/9 "2012-08-23T06:33:18Z")
Pretty hardcore atheist here and I don’t see anything necessarily wrong or offensive about the sign. However, I think it’s pretty dumb to advertise stuff like this on billboards and bumperstickers and whatnot. Pretty useless and just clutters stuff up. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/10 "2012-08-23T06:34:37Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > No hugs! From the same document: > [@](#): > > We have many different folks attending this conference: sexualities, genders, races, ethnicities, abilities, beliefs—these are just a few. Blatant instances of racism, sexism, homophobia, or other stereotyping and harmful behaviors should be reported to conference staff immediately. and > [@](#): > > American Atheists does not tolerate harassment of or by conference participants, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers, or staff in any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording . I wonder if the Republican or Democratic Conventions have rules of this nature? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/11 "2012-08-23T06:41:21Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I’m not much of a believer in supernatural beings, [but these Atheist billboards](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/22/signs-attack-religion-ahead-democratic-convention/)have such a juvenile and mocking tone I really don’t think they are accomplishing much to make people respect Atheists or Atheism. Nothing atheists do or don’t do will make the believers respect atheists. There may be other reasons to oppose such billboards, but there’s no point in worrying about making them like or respect us. We can’t. We will always be monsters as far as they are concerned. That after all is exactly the attitude that millennia of atheists either not existing or saying virtually nothing produced. And as far as the billboards being “juvenile and mocking”, [here’s](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j9oDqG2zBGE/SSBmDUWcsEI/AAAAAAAACYA/RGi2-q0RZRo/s1600/christian%2Bbillboard%2Bone.jpg) the kind of thing Christians put up. > [@MaltLiquor](#): > > It is a bit disconcerting that people that don’t have a religion can still be as intolerant as they that do. Meh. Compared to the attitudes common among the religious, these guys are mild. Certainly not “as intolerant”. For that matter, I know atheists who are a lot more intolerant than these guys (at least from what we see here). ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/12 "2012-08-23T07:07:26Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Pretty hardcore atheist here and I don’t see anything necessarily wrong or offensive about the sign. However, I think it’s pretty dumb to advertise stuff like this on billboards and bumperstickers and whatnot. Pretty useless and just clutters stuff up. I think you’re wrong. You’re probably like me and would never ever ever in a million years consider buying a product because someone high pressure sales tactic’ed you, or because it was on some stupid infomercial that you happened to see when you were up at 3am. But those things continue to exist for a reason, and that’s because some people are receptive to them. Some people run away screaming from anyone trying to pressure them (aggressively like a sales person or passively like a billboard) and some people go right on along with it. (I still can’t fully believe that, which is why I flat out refuse to try to pressure people to buy things, but intellectually I know it’s true that these tactics work for a significant number of people.) ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/13 "2012-08-23T07:26:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I wonder if the Republican or Democratic Conventions have rules of this nature? To compare apples to apples, you would have to look at convention rules for Christian, Mormon, etc conferences. Atheism isn’t a political party that I know of. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Nothing atheists do or don’t do will make the believers respect atheists. […] We will always be monsters as far as they are concerned. I really don’t understand these statements. What would constitute “respect” to you? > [@](#): > > [here’s](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j9oDqG2zBGE/SSBmDUWcsEI/AAAAAAAACYA/RGi2-q0RZRo/s1600/christian%2Bbillboard%2Bone.jpg) the kind of thing Christians put up. This is why I want a separation of Church and State. These “Christian” politicians are ruining the Church and making a mockery of the Bible. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/14 "2012-08-23T07:31:26Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > I really don’t understand these statements. What would constitute “respect” to you? Not being regarded as traitors and inherently immoral for a start. Being an atheist puts you right down there with convicted felons in terms of respect. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/15 "2012-08-23T07:55:55Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Nothing atheists do or don’t do will make the believers respect atheists. Using a slightly narrower brush would precipitate a little bit of respect, I reckon. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/16 "2012-08-23T07:57:22Z")
Very crappy billboards. They make highly subjective statements that are totally unconvincing to anyone who doesn’t already agree with their point of view. For example: > [@](#): > > _“Sadistic God, Useless Savior”_ Having heard the atheist reasoning that stands behind these propositions I entirely understand (and agree) with where they are coming from but they are just going to evoke a “Bwuh?” reaction from someone who has grown up in the Xtian tradition. That tradition takes it as axiomatic that theirs is a loving god and a capable saviour. Chanting the opposite is pointless, and right up there with classic and highly regarded children’s rebuttals such as the timeless “IS NOT!” and the deeply intellectual “IS SO!”. If they want to get somewhere, they need to _demonstrate_ not _assert_ and they need to demonstrate from sources that Xtians cannot easily dismiss. For instance, don’t blurt out “Sadistic God” or “Promotes Hate”. Find a biblical quote that _demonstrates_ hatred or sadism (the OT is full of them) and put that on the billboard. I’d suggest something like: > [@](#): > > "[insert hateful biblical quote here] > A loving God? > > American Atheists" Help people reach their own view, don’t shout at them. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/17 "2012-08-23T08:05:42Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Help people reach their own view, don’t shout at them. Whispering at people who have been shouted at their whole lives until they’re almost deaf is not particularly effective. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/18 "2012-08-23T08:19:59Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Not being regarded as traitors and inherently immoral for a start. Being an atheist puts you right down there with convicted felons in terms of respect. I can’t speak to your experiences. I don’t see this as the way the MAJORITY of people treat atheists (the posted link is the first time I’ve ever seen the traitor association), but maybe your region/area is different. I know I see people point to the idiots that bomb abortion clinics as evidence that ALL of Christianity is immoral. But, I personally view those who bomb clinics as internal terrorists and feel no need to defend them no matter what ‘religious’ views they espouse. If a person wants to view the entirety of Christianity through the acts of a few people, then I’m certainly not going to change their opinion and if they want to be dug into a view that deeply, then it isn’t like I’d ever really want to converse with them anyway. So it really is no big loss. So, if you live in an area where everyone points at you, calls you a convicted felon/criminal, traitor and immoral person, I certainly can’t fault you for your views. But, I’ll give you a very brief Bible lesson. The Bible only calls on Christians to hold OTHER CHRISTIANS accountable. The Bible provides no responsibilities or control for non-believers. So all the money pissed away attempting to legislate morality is neither Biblical or Christian. That is a bunch of self involved people who’ve found a gravy train to ride and a bunch of mis-led people willing to toss their hard earned money at self-exalted charlatans. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/19 "2012-08-23T08:43:48Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Using a slightly narrower brush would precipitate a little bit of respect, I reckon. Judging from history, it wouldn’t have any effect whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/20 "2012-08-23T08:46:42Z")
I’d like to see atheism promoted the same way I’d like to see Christianity or any other religion promoted; by presenting its positive aspects rather than by attacking the negative aspects of other beliefs. The AAI would be a lot better off running the equivalent of the “[I’m a Mormon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pjNWvEMYwo)” campaign. The fact that they’re running such a stupidly offensive campaign makes me wonder if they’re being secretly funded by religious groups. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357.md?page=2)