The godless billboard

June 8, 2:37 PMPhoenix Atheism ExaminerJohn Lynn

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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?