# 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:** 11
**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 26, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/201 "2012-08-26T16:37:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Who said it on non-Christians? BOTH sides need to shut the fuck up. I mostly just roll my eyes when I see those stupid billboards. Once in a blue moon, I’ll see one that’s funny, or one that’s hateful. But most of the time, they’re just pathetic dick swinging. That’s right-the cat _and_ the mouse are equally guilty of antisocial behavior. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyClueless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@MostlyClueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyClueless)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/202 "2012-08-26T16:38:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Yes, they are the same. Jack Chick believes God exists. You believe God doesn’t exist. Both of you are convinced that what you believe must be true. Neither of you have any proof that your belief is correct and the other’s is wrong. Jack Chick believes god exists. We believe there is no evidence for any such god. So far, we’re in the right here. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/203 "2012-08-26T17:01:48Z")
I’m your run-of-the-mill lapsed Catholic and the billboards don’t bother me. I see them as just another example of bigotry and intolerance from the folks on the left. ---
**Author:** ![AdanTheSomali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@AdanTheSomali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdanTheSomali)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/204 "2012-08-26T17:16:53Z")
Mormonism is a retarded religion that deserves to be mocked imo. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/205 "2012-08-26T20:48:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That’s right-the cat _and_ the mouse are equally guilty of antisocial behavior. Well, yeah, actually they are. All I’m seeing from both sides is, “well THEY started it! THEY’RE the bad guys! WE’RE right.” If you want to be seen as the voice of reason, act like it, rather than froth at the mouth. And that goes for both sides. No, “Christians are deluded, homophobic morons!”, or “Atheists are all evil sinners who are going to hell!” And they’re fucking _billboards_. Quite honestly, they turn me off from both sides. ---
**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 26, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/206 "2012-08-26T22:15:26Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Well, yeah, actually they are. All I’m seeing from both sides is, “well THEY started it! THEY’RE the bad guys! WE’RE right.” > > If you want to be seen as the voice of reason, act like it, rather than froth at the mouth. And that goes for both sides. No, “Christians are deluded, homophobic morons!”, or “Atheists are all evil sinners who are going to hell!” > > And they’re fucking _billboards_. Quite honestly, they turn me off from both sides. Well, I _do_ care which side started it, and how long they’ve been at it. They outnumber us by multitudes, so they have no incentive whatsoever to act reasonable-what they do _works_ for them, and atheists trying to act reasonable works even _better_ for them. “Look, Mittens. Here come the mice with the parlay flag. Usual greeting?” “You bet, Tiger. I’ll go set the table.” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/207 "2012-08-26T22:32:37Z")
And how’s that working out for you? At this point, I don’t care. I’m just saying at this point, both sides are turning me off, quite frankly. The rest of us in the “excluded middle” can go and enjoy ourselves while you guys play your game of who’s more oppressed than the other guy. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/208 "2012-08-27T00:29:45Z")
Still, in the fight against ignorance, I can’t decide which I hate more: religion or advertising\* \*allowing for their cultural side-benefits: the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the ads for x-ray specks & cardboard submarines in old comic books. But this atheist’s version of Hell would be an endless drive with nothing to listen to but Old Time Gospel, and nothing to look at but billboards. ---
**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 27, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/209 "2012-08-27T00:45:52Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And how’s that working out for you? A decade or two of being “obnoxious” has done more for atheism in America than centuries of being “polite”; so I’d say it’s working out quite well. Which appears to be a universal principle; it’s the people who are willing to be loud, aggressive and offend others who move their cause forward, whether that cause is good or bad. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/210 "2012-08-27T01:24:20Z")
I don’t want to be associated with an organization that smugly derides and mocks other groups. It’s bad taste and poor form. The same reason I got away from Christianity, basically. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/211 "2012-08-27T01:27:42Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I don’t want to be associated with an organization that smugly derides and mocks other groups. It’s bad taste and poor form. > > The same reason I got away from Christianity, basically. You mean, you identified as a Christian, believing that Christ Jesus was your Lord and savior, but then, realizing that members of your group were smug and mocked others, you decided to abandon your faith? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/212 "2012-08-27T01:32:25Z")
Whoops, Stalin was an atheist. Guess it’s back to stiff knees and doughy hosts stuck to the roof of my mouth and insence masking the congregation’s flatus for me! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/213 "2012-08-27T01:44:27Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > A decade or two of being “obnoxious” has done more for atheism in America than centuries of being “polite”; so I’d say it’s working out quite well. Which appears to be a universal principle; it’s the people who are willing to be loud, aggressive and offend others who move their cause forward, whether that cause is good or bad. We all have benefited from the outspoken atheists who were willing to be looked at as rude. And not just other atheists, but other minority religions who don’t want Christianity becoming the default state religion. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/214 "2012-08-27T06:48:26Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > You mean, you identified as a Christian, believing that Christ Jesus was your Lord and savior, but then, realizing that members of your group were smug and mocked others, you decided to abandon your faith? Way more complicated than that. I’ve come to believe “faith” is nothing more than someone convincing themselves, despite anything that might indicate otherwise, of whatever it is they wish to believe in. And in my case, when you’re born into a fundamentally Christian home, you’re raised to believe in God from infancy, so questions and doubt about such things don’t really surface until adolescence. Eventually, if you’re capable of being really honest with yourself, you begin to think the whole affair is at the least dubious, if not absolute bullshit, and whatever “good” intentions believers lay as the foundation of their philosophy, the false dogma eventually undermines it and leads most to ignorance, credulity, derision of other groups/religions/lifestyles, or ultimately intolerance, bigotry and hate. It’s like a self-assembling, hive-mind of people who want to be told what goes into the “black box,” and what goes into the “white box,” with no “gray box” and a stunningly asinine attitude of derision or defiance toward any secular/scientific evidence that might contradict the Bible or their faith. My feeling is religion gives some a feeling of authority and purpose. However, in the hands of uncritical thinkers (which a lot of fundamental churches seem to attract), it comes off as smug, self-righteous and/or condescending. Sure, derision and mockery have their place, and I use it when I see fit, but I refuse to associate with any group or organization that attempts to speak for its members. No one speaks for me, except myself. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/215 "2012-08-27T22:53:49Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Still, in the fight against ignorance, I can’t decide which I hate more: religion or advertising\* > \*allowing for their cultural side-benefits: the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the ads for x-ray specks & cardboard submarines in old comic books. But this atheist’s version of Hell would be an endless drive with nothing to listen to but Old Time Gospel, and nothing to look at but billboards. I’m not an atheist, but that sounsd like Hell to me as well. 😉 Me, I hate fanaticism. Remember Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity? It’s kinda like that. I don’t like the idea of seeing everything in shades of black or white. ---
**Author:** ![kwimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@kwimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kwimby)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/216 "2012-08-28T14:05:18Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I don’t like the idea of seeing everything in shades of black or white. Kinda like the way some people cannot distunguish between right and wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/217 "2012-08-29T01:02:22Z")
I can’t speak for **Guin** but yes, rather like the way some people are well rounded enough to realise that there are often nuances that mean things aren’t always clearly right or wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/218 "2012-08-29T01:30:00Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The problem is, its lack of those negative attributes IS the positive aspect of atheism. Atheism isn’t a belief or belief system; it’s a _lack_ of belief. It’s not good or bad; it isn’t anything. It’s better than religion because religion is _bad_; not because atheism is _good_. Here are the positive aspects to use in a campaign: No one’s counting your sins. No final judgement. No punishment after death, especially no flaming Hell. You actually CAN get away with stuff. Take control of your own morality and ethical judgement. Take control of the evils of society – punish the evil-doers NOW, because no one else will later. Obviously, they need to be massaged a bit to make them more appealing. ---
**Author:** ![kwimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@kwimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kwimby)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/219 "2012-08-30T02:03:12Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > …that there are often nuances that mean things aren’t always clearly right or wrong. Right - especially when your position is objectively wrong but irrational fears, emotion and brainwashing compel you to believe otherwise? Those kinds of nuances? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357/220 "2012-08-30T06:03:52Z")
No not those. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-very-insulting-atheist-billboards-attacking-christianity-mormonism-really-the-way-to-go/632357.md?page=12)