An individual or individuals have defaced a billboard in Moscow, Idaho… again. The billboard originally read "Millions are good without God" but was partially obscured with blue paint to now read "Millions are good with God". It's the second time the American Humanist Association (AHA)-sponsored billboard has been vandalized in two weeks.
In the first instance the word "without" was completely blacked out, after which the AHA quickly replaced the billboard. The advertisement, which was originally placed mid-September, is part of an American Humanist Association advertising campaign to spread awareness about being good without God. It's the third billboard advertisement the organization has displayed in the Moscow area and similar ads have been put up around the country.
The billboard can be found on Highway 95, just south of Moscow near the Sweet Avenue cross street, facing northbound traffic.
"The irony here is worth noting," said David Niose, president of the American Humanist Association. "Some individuals are committing criminal acts while apparently claiming that their religious view of the world leads to good behavior. It's not a very convincing argument on their part."
"This is not just vandalism, it is religiously motivated vandalism which attempts to silence a minority viewpoint," added Niose. "Everyone, not just humanists, should be concerned about such acts."
The Moscow Police Department notified the AHA Wednesday morning. They believe the ad was defaced between 1 and 3 am. The AHA has alerted the billboard company who leased the space, Lamar Outdoor, who said they will start leaving the lights on round the clock. The AHA will be replacing the billboard but hasn't yet decided whether to go with the same design.
"I'm disturbed that this happened again," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "Two consecutive crimes in a town where the last incidence of billboard vandalism was years ago makes it obvious that humanists and our message are being targeted."
The American Humanist Association advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across the United States.
Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.
Comments
Though the graffiti-ized change may be true, I can't help but believe the former is quite true and reasonable and not illegal. Crime in the name of religion is not the way I grew up or my inclination today as a nonbeliever.
Evidently they aren't ALL good with God, some of them seem to have a penchant for damaging private property! What better way to disprove the point they're trying to make by altering the sign in the first place!
Although I find it saddened that billboards like this are appearing up in Idaho, I find it just as saddened and disappointed that vandalism is happening on these ads. Not only is it showing a little disrespect for those who are trying to get their voice heard, but also shows that there are people who claim to be Christian yet commit crimes such as this in order to prove their point. I feel that vandalism cases such as these just proves all the more why people don't want any part of religion.
At least the billboard is getting noticed. It seems defacing it gives it even more attention. Maybe their next ad ought to say something about how good with god are people who vandalize billboards?
Stacy Bissmeyer - Louisville Spiritual Examiner says, "Although I find it saddened that billboards like this are appearing up in Idaho..." Uh, why does it make you sad that people are displaying signs like this? Do you think there is something wrong with it? Or is it just that they are appearing in Idaho that makes you sad? I don't get it.
Love the irony. What next, will the "moral leaders" of the Christian faith sexually molest little boys and have drug-driven sex with male prostitutes? Oh wait...
Our Holy Bible is filled with examples of God's chosen people committing genocide and killing thousands of men, women, children and babies to honor God. By comparison, a little graffiti to honor God is trivial. It is the job of us, as true Christians, to stand up for God on billboards and similar places where He can not stand up for himself.
What Christian-Minister says is joke, satire, right? Yeah, compared to genocide, a bit of billboard defacement is trivial. It would also be trivial compared to genocide to kill the people who try to put up the billboard beforehand. Though I find it odd that "He can not stand up for himself." if "He" was offended.
RogerE: Blasphemy is no joke. Even a brief review of The Holy Bible will reveal that God does NOT have a sense of humor, and He is very mean and spiteful. So it is only fitting that we believers should try to follow His holy example, even in simple things like illegally vandalizing billboards, since obviously God himself seems unable to stop the billboards.
so was their first message "Millions are Good God?" Which seem to suggest not Christianity, but maybe vandalism by a Polythiestic group? Or maybe it is just making the whole thing just a positive non-religious based message: "Millions are Good. - God". I think it is time to point fingers at all the Idaho's practicing Mayans and followers of Stuart Smalley.
To Roger, my disappointment with the ads here is more towards the fact that they were vandalized by someone, especially if it was someone who claims to be a Christians, than the fact that the ads were placed to begin with. Obviously, not everyone agrees with the billboards that the American Humanists Association are putting out, but that doesn't give anyone an excuse as to try and damage the message that they feel they want to get out. The hypocrisy that some Christians display is the very reason why there are people today who want no part of Christianity, much less any other religion.
Oh good! These Christian vandals have finally learnt a bit about phrasing logical statements. One step at a time.
it was designed to be vadalized....this helped promote the original message
All though all of the people below create a good point. You are all ignorant to the fact that christians make mistakes also. I think the truth should be heared in any way possible. Even if this includs vandlizing a sign that obviously is not true.
"It is the job of us, as true Christians, to stand up for God on billboards and similar places where He can not stand up for himself."
And this god that can't stand up for himself would be the same one that you say created the universe and everything in it? I think you should start a vote for an edit button, it would save you making such stupid statements and being forced to keep them up for all to see.
Stacy Bissmeyer - Louisville Spiritual Examiner says:
"Although I find it saddened that billboards like this are appearing up in Idaho..."
I find it "saddened[sic]" that there's no Louisville in Idaho according to Google Maps (and my own personal recollection of nearly four decades in this state). Stacy, worry about your own state, we have enough people here to worry about it.
No doubt the people who did this also "believe" in freedom of expression and respect for property.
I'm glad I live in a more sensible country.
Actually, they make a fairly accurate claim with this vandalism. Of the hundreds of millions of christians in the world, there are only a few million of them that are actually good.
To Jo's statement, REALLY? If you are not a Christian you can not be good? This sign is not true? Do you have any evidence to the support your point. Other than some book written by some guys in the desert nearly 2000 years ago saying that anyone who opposes God should go to hell? Please point out your credibility... because I am obviously too blinded by rationality to comprehend your well constructed argument. As far as I know atheists/humanists/agnostics/etc don't need some Thing up in the sky to make them good, they are good people for the sake of society and their own well-being. I guess you are right, they are horrible people. Rather, I guess they are subhuman... lets just kick them out of this country.
Christian minister, unless your post is sarcasm, it certainly is a contradictory as your religion. If your "god" is omnipotent, why can't he stand up for himself.
Then you say because vandalism and suppression of free speech isn't as bad as genocide, it should be overlooked? By that illogical reasoning, I can say that, because burning down your church isn't as bad as killing all of your followers, it should be overlooked.
Keep in mind, when you use absurdities to try to prove a point, you give instant credibility to others to do the same.
@christian-minister- Lol God can't stand up for himself but you can by scribbling on a billboard? What is he helpless?
Get a grip people. You are the same people who want to ban Bibles and prayer from schools and stand up against people who believe in God. Well, be prepared for people to fight back against you. So, if someone posted a billboard "Millions are good without athiests" you would have PLENTY to say about it. People is this nation have every right to stand up for their religion that is being taken away from from them. If you think it's non-christian to fight for God and Christ, you are wrong. Read the bible and get educated about what the end times will be like...a battle between good and evil. Key word..battle. Yes, Christians do battle, get used to it.
With that said, the man made law of "vandalism" was broken here. For that I can at least admit that this particular act was wrong. If you don't want to believe in God, that's your choice. However, when you post a big billboard slamming someone's God, don't be so shocked and surprised when someone does something about it.
If Christians put up a billboard I think there would be a hell of a lot more atheists prepared to vandalize it.
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