Billboard: Millions of Americans are living happily without religion

[Bay Boy]

My local TV news channel had a little teaser saying "A billboard posted in the state may offend religious people" (or something similar)

I am offended by them saying some people would be offended.


http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/millions_live_happily_without.html

[link:|

[skepticscott]

1. I think the government should order

the removal of any billboard that offends anyone.

Well next time we have a government, that is.

[longship]

2. That's in my neck of the woods.

Well, actually a bit down the road. It's in very religious Grand Rapids, MI which is a center of the Dutch Reformed church. It also is the home to the Reasonable Doubts podcast, an intelligent, witty program by former religious people. Highly recommended.

R&K

[cbayer]

4. Has there been any backlash or negative response?

[longship]

5. Well, apparently.

I read the comments at the link. A lot of religious folks have their shorts in a bunch about it and a couple of advertisement companies refused to rent a billboard to CFI. These things are silly. West rural Michigan has Jesus billboards here and there. Why not one professing non-belief?

I haven't seen any local news stories about it on TV, but I don't often watch local news from GR. I prefer the Cadillac/Traverse City station, closer to my neck of the woods. (Really, the woods!)

Myself, I like these billboards. They must be pretty effective outreach because more and more groups are using them. Of course, some religious folks see them as a threat. But I see them as raising awareness. To me that's very important. Anything else is secondary.

Good morning to you!

[cbayer]

6. Good morning to you as well.

I think these billboards are fine as well, particularly in areas where atheists may feel isolated or marginalized.

Not surprised that there would be some negative response, but if "shorts in a bunch" is the worst of it, that's ok.

[longship]

8. Indeed... ROFL

[cbayer]

3. This is the kind of billboard that is designed not to offend, imo.

It's an positive invitation, a "you are not alone" kind of message. It doesn't even mention believers, let alone attack them in any way.

It's totally different than the Ham billboards.

[PotatoChip]

9. I see it that way too.

That said, I hate billboards period. They look so trashy.

I'm glad that my state made them illegal some 30+ years ago.

[cbayer]

10. I'm ambivalent about them.

I have the ones on the interstate, but on a recent long road trip I saw billboards in the rural south that made my jaw drop.

And I saw other ones that were hilarious.

[PotatoChip]

11. Lol, you mentioned hilarious billboards, so

I spent more time than I dare to admit checking out google images of 'witty, unintentionally funny billboards'. Some pretty funny stuff out there!


I can see how some of these could potentially break up an otherwise monotonous road trip.

[cbayer]

12. They still have those series of boards out there.

They have a message that requires you to look for the next one, and the next one, and the next one in order to get the whole message.

They are really funny and truly do break up the monotony at times.

[BarbaRosa]

7. So what,

those who will take offense are those who dump on every one else on a regular basis, but take great offense should someone else fart in the room.

[rug]

13. Well, call me intolerant but I hate it whenever someone farts in a room.

Especially a small, windowless room.

[hrmjustin]

14. I think the board is fine and people should get over it.