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FLorida Atheists and Secular Humanists (FLASH) has put up a billboard on the corner of NW 27 Ave and Sunrise Blvd. in Ft Lauderdale. This is the start of a campaign to counter the negative image portrayed of "non-believers".
Many people would be surprised to find out that some of the nicest, most honest people they know are secretly atheist, and agnostic. One in 6 Americans claims no religious affiliation. That number would most likely increase if it were not for family and social pressures.
Like other forms of bias and bigotry, misconceptions and stereotypes are the tools used to protect an interest. It's in many of the church's best interest to propagate and spread this bigotry about atheists. For us, it is an uphill battle because for so long so many people have been taught to believe that atheists are immoral or certainly less moral than their religious counterparts.
Current statistical data proves these to be spurious claims. We will disseminate the true facts, and hope that people verify them for themselves. We also hope they dare to think deeply about our messages. It is the goal of FLASH to show by example what an atheist in your community really means.
For more information contact Ken Loukinen @ 954 907 7893 or 954 381 5240 Browardatheists@mac.com Ken Loukinen, President, Florida Atheists and Secular Humanists.
This press release was issued by FLASH. FLASH is an American Atheists affiliate.
Comments
I feel confident that I speak for many non-believers out there when I say that this billboard and bus ad campaign going on around the country is absolutely wonderful and has been so desperately needed for a very long time.
I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs. I volunteer to work with children and animals in mt spare time. I have not had premarital sex. I pay my taxes on time every year. I recycle and drive a hybrid car. I love my family. I have always been a 4.0 student and have almost finished my master's degree. I am a good friend and a kind, caring, honest person. Unfortunately, as soon as people hear that I'm an atheist they discount everything else about me and figure I must be ignorant and immoral. It's very frustrating! It's about time we atheists speak up and stop letting the religious majority define who we are!
If there is no God, why waste your time having a God-conscience and defending yourself?? These are all things that you know that God would require of you to as a body filled with the Holy Spirit!!??? What difference would it make what you do if there is no God?? There is no moral platform without God, so where did you get the idea that those things are wrong???? hmmmm???
That is a terribly unattractive billboard, but I like the message.
AWESOME! I always challenged the religious view when I was younger and the nuns/priests hated that I challenged them. They told my parents that I was to much trouble and caused to many problems and that I could not come back to Sunday School or church. There are more intelligent individuals out there who know that we evolved from other life forms and now we are not afraid to challenge them as adults and hold them to the fire. Their lame excuses and false tales are being broken down, bit by bit. I weep for those who finally realized that religion is nothing more than a scam inflicted by those who wish nothing but to take your money and your free thinking.
Wonderful! I grew up close to Ft. Lauderdale. Being one of the swing states, I hope this foreshadows a more liberal turnout in elections.
I would almost wish the ad said: Being a good person doesn't require "a" god. In addition, god should not be capitalized. However, I love the idea of this billboard and kudos to the group that paid to place it. It's refreshing.
I, too, am very pleased to see these and the bus ads showing up.
I do agree with Cliff (above) though, who opined that "god" probably shouldn't have been capitalized.
Very good idea. I have been trying to get one up for ages. Glad to see this up. About time a contrary opinion is recognized.
i love the idea.
I hope we can see more and more of these signs around all states.
Great job by the group that did it.
I agree with John Lynn: We've been quiet for too long. It's time we stood up and said "Actually, no, we're not just godless heathens!" We do all kinds of good things, from donating to charities to just helping a neighbor out with a DIY project. Good on the FLASH folks for this campaign!
Heroin Addicts are hopeless dope fiends.
Christians are dopeless hope fiends.
Cliff: "God" should be capitalized here as it's being used as a personal name.
I'd agree "a god" is more accurate for the billboard. But the US is still very Christian-heavy, so it may work just as well.
I would amend Lost Boy to say "Religious zealous are dopeless hope fiends" or something that is inclusive of all religions not just the Christians
I haven't seen this yet. I'm glad the message is getting out there. The capitalization is relevant. "God" refers to the figure most of us were raised with, so it makes the clearest case. Most people don't believe in polytheism, so they might not understand "god(s)" in its place.
Although, it does make for an interesting argument... Which is more 'disrespectful' given the context? ;-)
Yay! So many people are so ignorant of what being atheist or agnostic really is about. Accentuate the positive!
Wonder how long the retarded monkeys of the world will let it stay up.
I took out a subscription to an Atheist newspaper for our local library. Never saw one copy in the stacks.
That billboard looks like it was designed by a fourth-grader. Bwah-HaHaHa-HeeHee!!
Any group that has to put others down in order to feel better is pathetic.
A local news team reported the following:
wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI124870/
If anyone knows 'Big Mama,' I'd be very appreciative if you would pass her a note from me. Remind her that many (if not all) gang members, mobsters, drug dealers, pimps, and general 'evil'-doers are God-fearing folk. Believing in God is neither an automatic ticket on the path of righteousness, nor does it absolve you of ignorant rants in the name of protecting said deity.
Excellent!
& the people who will complain the most? Those who get tackier & more arrogant billboards trying to shove Jesus down everyone's throats.
I'm not an atheist, but still I say "Well done!"
"that atheists are... less... than their religious counterparts" implies that one is either religious or an atheist. Many Confucians, Buddhists and Wiccans might be bewildered, or find themselves excluded, by that model. So would Ethical Culturists.
Ethical Culture is a non-theistic religion. Its two dozen societies (congregations) in the U.S. hold platform meetings - "worship" in the sense of "crafting worth" - on Sunday mornings, often featuring a platform talk - a "sermon" or "homily" - by an Ethical Culture Leader - a "clergyperson" or "minister," credentialed by the American Ethical Union - and conduct Sunday Schools and Adult Religious Education.
Ethical Culturists don't concern themselves with whether the person sitting next to them believes in one god, no god(s) or many gods. Focusing on "belief" would get in the way of their primary objectives: "Deed Before Creed," and bringing out the best in themselves by bringing out the best in others.
More at www.aeu.org
Open letter to believers - http: //www . freethoughtflorida . com/openletter . html
To all who are teaching, promoting and propagandizing the dogma that one MUST believe in a god in order to be a good and moral person and that without a god one is immoral, your teachings and declarations are false! READ FULL LETTER-LINK
Though the billboard could be better looking (come on atheists, we know a thing or two about design!), I have never been so happy to see an actual billboard supporting atheism. I find it quite amusing in the most pathetic way that godly people think they can put billboard after billboard up of their god, but when we give people the option that they don't HAVE to follow if it doesn't feel right...that we need to take it down? Whoever made this is NOT saying anything negative about any religion, they are just letting the lonely know it's OK. This was a great article and i hope the billboard doesn't just stay up, but increases in number.
I love it and fully support the group
All I an say is, just wait until you are standing before the ONE who created you and then let's see what you say!!!!!! (course if you are still an athiest at that time it is going to be too late). Sorry, but you will be Hell bound at that point. A lot of people like to "slam" Jesus, but He is the one that gave up His live for everyone (that will believe). Oh well...you'll see.
All I an say is, just wait until you are standing before the ONE who created you and then let's see what you say!!!!!! (course if you are still an athiest at that time it is going to be too late). Sorry, but you will be Hell bound at that point. A lot of people like to "slam" Jesus, but He is the one that gave up His live for everyone (that will believe). Oh well...you'll see.
To Ginny~
So you think we are all going to a fiery land ruled by an evil guy who likes torturing evil people? If I were him I would be having dinner with the other evil people that come down to live with me.
To Dave:
In response to your remark. No, we ALL have a choice while we are here on this earth of where we will spend eternity. We have two choices: Heaven OR Hell. To chose Heaven, we believe on Jesus who gave up His life for all those who would believe so they could live eternally. HE is the ONLY way to Heaven, but you have to believe on Him to be saved. Those who do not will spend eternity in the alternate option. For those who say there is no Hell, well....you better be right!!!
It's ironic that things like this push me to believe in God even more.
It takes much more blind faith to be an atheist as there is evidence of and firsthand accounts of God. Yet there is no evidence that there is not a God. Atheist really place their interests haphazardly and blindly.
Threatening an atheist with eternal damnation? That would be akin to threatening someone with death by invisible stinging hamsters.
Just to make you aware: The man behind these billboards is not originally an atheist. He is a Bible-believing preacher in former days. His plight is not original, nor is he convinced. He is angry and needs to repent. I have been angry at God, too, a time or two. Please, Dan, whatever the cost, get out now before it's too late. You know the right thing to do. Just do it. Don't let "Eve" talk you in to the serpent's plea. HE is right where you left HIM. Be brave.
What proof and evidence can you provide that proves that there definitely is no higher power?
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