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azfamily.com photo
For those who think Phoenix is hot as Hell in the summer, there is a new advertisement in town dubbed “The Godless Billboard”, which is turning up the heat. The billboard, which was reported here by azfamily.com, is located on 44th Street at Washington Street in Phoenix. Why is this advertisement considered so controversial? Because it is not what the religious majority thinks and anything different is considered an attack against them.
Seamus King, the owner of a business near the location of this billboard says, "To me it's ridiculous…it should be regulated ... if I’m being regulated as a business that I have to apply for a permit to get a sign on my wall." What Mr. King is referring to are the Phoenix city ordinances which regulate the size and other aspects of the signs that businesses are allowed to use on or near their buildings, which is a completely different subject altogether. What is really insinuated here is that this particular advertisement should not have been allowed because Mr. King doesn’t like what it says. Am I supposed to believe that he would still have a problem with a Dos Equis or Burger King advertisement instead?
Deb Murray, another interviewee, said "Everyone has their beliefs, but I don't think it should be boarded like that.” I am left to wonder if Ms. Murray feels the same about the dozens of billboards all over town displaying advertisements for churches, religious organizations and religious talk radio programs. I have never seen controversial news coverage done on any of those religion-themed billboard advertisements. I suppose that’s because they’re all in line with the ‘norm.’
These are the types of arguments that precede the usual comment that “religion is under attack in this country.” The reality is that people who associate themselves with religion are still the majority of our population. It is also true that the word “God” is still a part of official oaths of office, the Pledge of Allegiance and stamped on all of our currency. It is also true that while people of faith say they don’t push their beliefs on others, the very sustainability of their churches and doctrines is completely dependent on recruitment, which involves proselytizing, lobbying government bodies and officials and using fear tactics to scare people into thinking a supernatural father figure will punish them for being as imperfect as he supposedly created them to be.
Who is really on the offensive here?
Comments
Though I am a Christian, I find this double standard appalling. The religious "wrong" always seek to enforce their beliefs on others. If you dont believe like them, they will put you out of business.
With Allahs backing, its torture and terrorism. With Jesus' backing, it means standing up for freedom and democracy.
Jesus would be so proud......
I have been waiting for advertising like this to be OK all of my life. As a freethinker, not only do I "not believe" - but I am also growing tired of having to play by "their" rules... It amazes me how so many "otherwise intelligent" people get roped in belief in The Jesus. Ponderous, man...
BChil, it is a great thing to see that people are finally speaking up. The notion that religion has a free pass and that it is taboo to ask legitimate, reasonable questions is finally being seen for the farce that it really is. It is no longer acceptable.
I agree that religion has completely overstepped their bounds in many ways, mostly in influence in personal matters and foreign policy.
However I do believe that although hatred for religion is well founded(let me count the ways), it is pretty hard to ignore the existence of something that caused the universe to work so perfectly, and our bodies to be so magnificent.
It is too bad that religion has been such a mess, caused so many deaths throughout the centuries, yet still occupies a very lofty place in our society.
There will be a day when many different religions will be done away with, and there will be one "religion" on the earth, mandated by a one world govt. It will mostly be a religion of "nationalism", but it will still be a religion.
It is the most divisive thing in the world, and you can't have a NWO without getting rid of it.
Call me crazy, but it will happen.
Nice article John.
I wonder if the Arizona Coalition of Reason (who paid for the billboard) gets the same tax exempt status as a chuch would? I'd argue that they shouldn't, but only because I'd also argue that churches shouldn't.
Good article John. Keep 'em coming.
I live in Southwest Missouri. We desperately need these billboards in this state...I have to drive past numerous ones claiming Jesus is the saviour of us all....gag. It is the recruitment of our young that keeps the churches full...THAT needs to be addressed and stopped, as it truly is child abuse. Forcing scary, hateful, destructive ideas into a young mind before the age of reason (or ever for that metter) is wrong and shouldn't be tolerated.
"Steve says:
I wonder if the Arizona Coalition of Reason (who paid for the billboard) gets the same tax exempt status as a chuch would? I'd argue that they shouldn't, but only because I'd also argue that churches shouldn't."
Hi Steve :) As one of the co-presidents of the ArizonaCOR, I can assure you that we are not listed as a 501 3(c) non-profit for tax exemption, though we are registered as a non-profit organization through the Arizona Corporation Commission due to the fact that... well, because we are not out for a profit :) Just helping non-theistic groups around the valley of the sun find a bigger voice to get their name out there!
"Mark says: ...it is pretty hard to ignore the existence of something that caused the universe to work so perfectly, and our bodies to be so magnificent."
Well, that is a pretty skewed view of things... the universe doesn't necessarily "work perfectly"... especially not in regards to us. We would be hard pressed to survive in the upper atmosphere for any length of time much less in the harsh reality of space. Black holes are good examples of something that is a result of an unstable universe..
As for our bodies being "so magnificent"... I would turn to examples of birth defects or our susceptibility to so many common diseases as being a testament against our magnificence.
Of course I cannot blame you... if we were horses, we would think that horses were the most magnificent creatures in the universe... it's only natural ;)
So once you accept that we do not live in a perfect universe, in perfect bodies, you can come to grips with the idea of no "creator" that "caused" eve
*everything.
(text was cut off)
Reminds me a little of the Bus Campign in the UK we had.
Some buses going about with adverts on the side proclaiming:
"There probably isn't a god, so stop worrying about it and ejoy your day"
The wording may have differed slightly but the message was the same.
Cue outcry from religious groups who instantly responsed with their own bus campaign which proclaimed:
"There definately is a god and you should worship him or you will go to hell"
Again paraphrasing slightly, but that was the gist of their message.
Makes you wonder who has the better morals and the more loving group of people are.
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