# Your beliefs and thoughts on the "atheist billboard" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195 "2010-11-28T19:26:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/1 "2010-11-28T19:26:14Z")
[Story here](http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/atheist_billboard_near_lincoln.html) ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/2 "2010-11-28T19:31:38Z")
We need more like it. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/3 "2010-11-28T19:39:27Z")
Heh. I like it. There are a ton of pro-Christian billboards around here, ranging from simple “Remember the reason for the season” ones to much more aggressive “HELL IS REAL” ones. I’ll admit it, most of them get on my nerves, especially the obnoxious “Babykillers will burn” type, so I’m pleased that someone’s put up one for atheists. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/4 "2010-11-28T19:42:17Z")
Atheist here. Don’t believe in attack ads of any type. Atheists should put up billboards telling people that they’ve got each other, and that’s all they’ve got… that is, stop searching for magic and start looking out for yourself, your family, your community and your country. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/5 "2010-11-28T19:45:42Z")
Meh. Christians buy up billboards, I don’t see any reason why atheists can’t spend their money that way too. It’s their money. I’m mildly amused, mainly because culturally, in the Pagan communities I frequent, proselytizing is considered a bit crass and inappropriate. My first thought at seeing something like that (atheist OR Christian) is that someone is so insecure in their beliefs that they need outside validation, in the form of converts, in this case. Otherwise, why the hell would you _care_ what a total stranger believes in? I’m sure there are non-Pagans in Chicago 😛 but it’s not like these people I don’t know have any impact on my life whatsoever. But mostly… meh. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/6 "2010-11-28T19:48:44Z")
In a perfect world, people who put up Christian billboards would look at that sign and say “huh, now that the shoe is on the other foot I guess proselytizing is kinda annoying”. In our world, they’ll just double down. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/7 "2010-11-28T19:53:07Z")
Meh, Shrug. Don’t feel strongly either way. I think it’s a little tacky, but in the area of the country where I live 20 billboards a week inform me that I’m probably going to Hell, so if Christians get all wrung up about this they need thicker skin. The Christian notion of “being persecuted” has shifted from the days in which they were being fed to lions. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/8 "2010-11-28T19:56:35Z")
> [@K364](#): > > Atheist here. Don’t believe in attack ads of any type. > > Atheists should put up billboards telling people that they’ve got each other, and that’s all they’ve got… that is, stop searching for magic and start looking out for yourself, your family, your community and your country. I think this approach would be more productive. People spend too much time fighting over this religion stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Goofus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@Goofus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goofus)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/9 "2010-11-28T20:02:27Z")
The word “myth” as used on the billboard is a bit ambiguous to me. Not all of the possible interpretations are negative. I would have made a billboard that said “_just_ a myth” or “_only_ a myth” to clarify the message of the ad. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/10 "2010-11-28T20:09:09Z")
Theyre bord has a font! Okay, other than the font, I can’t see the big deal pro- or against- this ad. I’m an agnostic tending toward atheism but I don’t think billboards really make much a difference in people’s beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/11 "2010-11-28T20:30:01Z")
The people who put this particular billboard up are being obnoxious dicks, they undoubtedly KNOW they’re being obnoxious dicks, and are probably PROUD of being obnoxious dicks. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/12 "2010-11-28T21:27:35Z")
Considering that the believers are constantly putting up their own billboards and other advertisements it seems to qualify as a small movement towards balance to me. I suspect it won’t last long before being destroyed though. > [@Kaio](#): > > My first thought at seeing something like that (atheist OR Christian) is that someone is so insecure in their beliefs that they need outside validation, in the form of converts, in this case. Otherwise, why the hell would you _care_ what a total stranger believes in? Because the total strangers in question keep trying to write their myths into the law and knock on your door trying to convert you. Or start wars, torment their children for being gay, oppose science education, or any of the other things the believers do. Religion is _not_ harmless. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/13 "2010-11-28T21:39:02Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Because the total strangers in question keep trying to write their myths into the law and knock on your door trying to convert you. Or start wars, torment their children for being gay, oppose science education, or any of the other things the believers do. Religion is _not_ harmless. Believing in something and attempting to impose that belief on someone else are two different things. Why object to the belief when it’s the behavior that’s a problem? There are plenty of spiritual folk who don’t feel a need to impose their beliefs on others. I daresay it’s relatively more common than the fanatics out there (the fanatics are just louder). So it doesn’t follow that spiritual belief = acting like a dick to people. Acting like a dick to people = acting like a dick to people. There are non-religious dicks out there too. ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/14 "2010-11-28T21:43:17Z")
Need an “Awesome!” choice. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/15 "2010-11-28T21:45:47Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > Believing in something and attempting to impose that belief on someone else are two different things. Why object to the belief when it’s the behavior that’s a problem? Because part of the belief system in question requires that you go forth and concert people, and that you impose those beliefs by law. > [@Julian Assange and WikiLeaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-assange-and-wikileaks/562184/1): > > There are plenty of spiritual folk who don’t feel a need to impose their beliefs on others. I daresay it’s relatively more common than the fanatics out there (the fanatics are just louder). And I think that the more liberal believers who think that are fooling themselves; they think they are the norm, when in fact they are the fringe. Wanting to force your beliefs into law is the norm for believers not the exception. > [@Julian Assange and WikiLeaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-assange-and-wikileaks/562184/1): > > There are non-religious dicks out there too. But not as many. They have fewer motives and excuses for it. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/16 "2010-11-28T21:55:52Z")
It’s no more or less annoying than billboards for anything else. It is somewhat frustrating that the mere existence of a pro-atheist billboard is newsworthy. Pro-Christian billboards are not uncommon. I’d prefer a different type of atheist billboard. There are billboards asking people to read their Bibles. I’d like to see an atheist group buy the next billboard down the road and say, “We agree. Seriously, read it. There’s some crazy stuff in there.” ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/17 "2010-11-28T21:58:05Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > It’s no more or less annoying than billboards for anything else. Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/18 "2010-11-28T22:06:21Z")
I’m an atheist and think it’s a dickish move. I feel the same way about antagonistically religious billboards as well. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/19 "2010-11-28T22:08:01Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > It’s no more or less annoying than billboards for anything else. > > It is somewhat frustrating that the mere existence of a pro-atheist billboard is newsworthy. Pro-Christian billboards are not uncommon. > > I’d prefer a different type of atheist billboard. There are billboards asking people to read their Bibles. I’d like to see an atheist group buy the next billboard down the road and say, “We agree. Seriously, read it. There’s some crazy stuff in there.” Start a collection to put that up. I’ll contribute. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195/20 "2010-11-28T22:08:45Z")
I voted the last choice. It seems that we’d all be better off if there were more harmony and less drawing up sides. I dream on and do my part. How can you promote a belief system? You can offer the tenets and allow people their choice. You can lead by example. Any people who are attracted by door-knockers or billboards are probably not independent thinkers. It seems to me that each individual must think this issue out on their own. Probably by seeking out information from both sides. Maybe others are as irritated as I am when I am told what to think. From my observation there are probably people on either side of the war on religion who chose their sides to impress, shock, create a reaction in others. No billboards are satisfactory to me. I like to pay attention to the task at hand. And when there’s time, enjoy a little natural scenery. Some people need religion and others need something else. Betcha anything our society would work a lot better if such a private matter was kept private and among like-thinkers. Anyway, as a recovering Lutheran, I think any kind of “evangelism,” other than by example, reeks to high heaven (or the lowest possible level of respect and courtesy.) Your choice. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-beliefs-and-thoughts-on-the-atheist-billboard/562195.md?page=2)