Atheist Billboards in Nashville

[tres3]

www.wkrn.com/story/27530058/atheist-billboard-tells-people-to-skip-church-for-christmas

[msmerymac]

Why is this a story?

[saz]

I love atheist billboards.

[froggy76]

I'm atheist and I don't like it. I just don't see the need to put down others' beliefs.

[Deleted]

It doesn't even advocate atheism. It's just oddly dismissive with no point.

[mouse]

Dec 3, 2014 23:43:58 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

I'm atheist and I don't like it. I just don't see the need to put down others' beliefs.

Same here. I like the "friendly atheist" (this is what an atheist looks like) billboards I saw a few summers back.

But I'm a terrible atheist because I like going to church. You know singing, contemplating, good works, camaraderie, if you're lucky cookies or donuts... it's just the god part that trips me up.

[jln]

Dec 3, 2014 23:58:03 GMT -5 mouse said:

Dec 3, 2014 23:43:58 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

I'm atheist and I don't like it. I just don't see the need to put down others' beliefs.

Same here. I like the "friendly atheist" (this is what an atheist looks like) billboards I saw a few summers back.

But I'm a terrible atheist because I like going to church. You know singing, contemplating, good works, camaraderie, if you're lucky cookies or donuts... it's just the god part that trips me up.

This is why I love UU.  There's an awesome UU church in Portland. 

[jln]

Dec 3, 2014 23:43:58 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

I'm atheist and I don't like it. I just don't see the need to put down others' beliefs.

This is where I am.  I think it hurts atheism by putting down others and their beliefs.  

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 0:07:40 GMT -5 Dig Ophelia said:

Dec 3, 2014 23:52:01 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

It doesn't even advocate atheism. It's just oddly dismissive with no point.

The president of the organization said that the billboard is for "atheists who go to church, when they don't need to" or some such something or other. I don't have the foggiest idea what the hell this billboard is going to do for anyone.    

The message that he says is intended, is not even made clear in the billboard, itself, so what are people supposed to take away from it?  Who is the organization speaking to?  If I hadn't read the article, I wouldn't know, so it's not a very effective campaign (and it's cheesy), imo.

I hate religious billboards (or any billboards), anyway, so I was already rolling my eyes at it, before I even read what it was supposed to mean.    

If it was meant to bolster up the gumption of atheists who are tired of being suckered by grandma into going to midnight mass, it fucking failed.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 0:13:16 GMT -5 Dig Ophelia said:

Dec 4, 2014 0:10:03 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

If it was meant to bolster up the gumption of atheists who are tired of being suckered by grandma into going to midnight mass, it fucking failed.

LOL  Well, in that case, those people might have benefitted more from a chiropractic billboard, so they can locate and adjust their spine, and act like adults who are responsible for their own decisions.   

Nah, idk if I agree with that. I think a lot of people use the holidays as a way to infringe upon the religious rights of others. I would love to have seen a well done billboard addressing that. It's fine to invite people to your church events, don't get me wrong. But there are plenty of bag of dicks, mostly olds and parents who tie church to family.

I hear far too many people sniffing, 'all I want for Christmas is for us to go to church together." That's manipulative. I dont' think anyone who gives into that is spineless, just bullied.

And I'm sure that's what the person who came up with this was thinking about. But it was still poorly done.

[josieposy]

I want to purchase a billboard and just put my name on it.

"Josieposy's Billboard"

Or maybe just put a picture of some random object up there. Like a coffee pot or socket wrench or something.

[Deleted]

They do speak up and are honest. But they still get pressured. And then it turns into omg, you're ruining our family moment, why are you so mean to granny, don't disappoint your mother.

I'm a Christian, ffs and I know my people do. In some families, it's not even a oh I want to spend time with you as much the idea that not going to church must mean you're a morally bankrupt person who only needs to turn to Jesus to be seen as a decent person.

That's not a thought process that's easily cured by "standing up for yourself."

[stealthmom]

I think it's dumb. It's a letter to Santa say she doesn't believe in fairy tales any more? Ok. That makes sense.  :^)

[mouse]

Dec 4, 2014 0:06:34 GMT -5 jln said:

Dec 3, 2014 23:58:03 GMT -5 mouse said:

Same here. I like the "friendly atheist" (this is what an atheist looks like) billboards I saw a few summers back.

But I'm a terrible atheist because I like going to church. You know singing, contemplating, good works, camaraderie, if you're lucky cookies or donuts... it's just the god part that trips me up.

This is why I love UU.  There's an awesome UU church in Portland. 

Which one? I've thought about going to the one in Oregon City bc it looks like a pink castle. (I choose my churches like I choose my wine.)

[summer]

Dec 3, 2014 23:43:58 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

I'm atheist and I don't like it. I just don't see the need to put down others' beliefs.

I'm agnostic and I don't like it either. It's unnecessarily condescending.  

[secretlyevil]

Dec 4, 2014 0:10:03 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Dec 4, 2014 0:07:40 GMT -5 Dig Ophelia said:

The president of the organization said that the billboard is for "atheists who go to church, when they don't need to" or some such something or other. I don't have the foggiest idea what the hell this billboard is going to do for anyone.    

The message that he says is intended, is not even made clear in the billboard, itself, so what are people supposed to take away from it?  Who is the organization speaking to?  If I hadn't read the article, I wouldn't know, so it's not a very effective campaign (and it's cheesy), imo.

I hate religious billboards (or any billboards), anyway, so I was already rolling my eyes at it, before I even read what it was supposed to mean.    

If it was meant to bolster up the gumption of atheists who are tired of being suckered by grandma into going to midnight mass, it fucking failed.

This is what I was thinking. It's pretty hateful which is what turns me off religion to begin with so...

[FloFTW]

Huh. Santa is your parents. I read this as a kid writing it to the parents. (An older kid).

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

Dec 3, 2014 23:58:03 GMT -5 mouse said:

Dec 3, 2014 23:43:58 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

I'm atheist and I don't like it. I just don't see the need to put down others' beliefs.

Same here. I like the "friendly atheist" (this is what an atheist looks like) billboards I saw a few summers back.

But I'm a terrible atheist because I like going to church. You know singing, contemplating, good works, camaraderie, if you're lucky cookies or donuts... it's just the god part that trips me up.

LOL! I have never heard anyone articulate it like that but I feel the same way! I don't really identify as "anything"...so not Atheist, not agnostic, just nothing. But I like going to church. I like singing hymns and I am a flute player and I play now and again with a colleagues church choir. 

[Deleted]

Im fine with it. Its only as dickish as the religious billboards. I hope it offends in the same way that seeing the baby fetus anti abortion billboards offend me.

Alrhough i do agree that a better message could have been used. Still, i see no reason for atheists to take the higher ground.

[secretlyevil]

You make a good point reeeve. Why should we expect atheists to be any less dickish than the religious? I dunno but I still don't like the message. As I said before it rings hateful to me. As a pp also mentioned, it's pretty condescending. A different message could have gone farther.

[wawa]

Dec 4, 2014 7:24:25 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

You make a good point reeeve. Why should we expect atheists to be any less dickish than the religious? I dunno but I still don't like the message. As I said before it rings hateful to me. As a pp also mentioned, it's pretty condescending. A different message could have gone farther.

No.  They did it first is never ever ever the right answer.  It's one thing when a group I do not identify with acts like a bag of dicks.  I can just get mad and move on.  when "my team" does it - then it reflects on me to an extent and it does a whole lot more than make me mad. 

[ttt]

I think it's kind of obnoxious, but then, pretty much all Christian billboards are obnoxious too, so.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 4, 2014 8:15:23 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 4, 2014 7:24:25 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

You make a good point reeeve. Why should we expect atheists to be any less dickish than the religious? I dunno but I still don't like the message. As I said before it rings hateful to me. As a pp also mentioned, it's pretty condescending. A different message could have gone farther.

No.  They did it first is never ever ever the right answer.  It's one thing when a group I do not identify with acts like a bag of dicks.  I can just get mad and move on.  when "my team" does it - then it reflects on me to an extent and it does a whole lot more than make me mad. 

nailed it.

[jln]

Dec 4, 2014 2:36:52 GMT -5 mouse said:

Dec 4, 2014 0:06:34 GMT -5 jln said:

This is why I love UU.  There's an awesome UU church in Portland. 

Which one? I've thought about going to the one in Oregon City bc it looks like a pink castle. (I choose my churches like I choose my wine.)

First Unitarian downtown on SW 13th and SW Main. 

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 10:23:39 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Dec 4, 2014 8:15:23 GMT -5 wawa said:

No.  They did it first is never ever ever the right answer.  It's one thing when a group I do not identify with acts like a bag of dicks.  I can just get mad and move on.  when "my team" does it - then it reflects on me to an extent and it does a whole lot more than make me mad. 

nailed it.

I actually don't agree. It may be true that two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes it is better to punch back than show forgiveness. Thats been my experience anyway. Plus while it would be nice for the atheists to hold the high ground, it makes no difference when arguing with religion because we are all going to burn in hell for eternity anyway. We could hold the highest of high grounds, be the most morally correct, and still we will get the hell *shrug*.
I do prefer it when my team wins on the high ground, but I will take what I can get. Rather a dickish billboard than no billboard, in other words.

[wawa]

Dec 4, 2014 11:04:39 GMT -5 @eveer said:

Dec 4, 2014 10:23:39 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

nailed it.

I actually don't agree. It may be true that two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes it is better to punch back than show forgiveness. Thats been my experience anyway. Plus while it would be nice for the atheists to hold the high ground, it makes no difference when arguing with religion because we are all going to burn in hell for eternity anyway. We could hold the highest of high grounds, be the most morally correct, and still we will get the hell *shrug*.
I do prefer it when my team wins on the high ground, but I will take what I can get. Rather a dickish billboard than no billboard, in other words.

But why does a billboard presumably put together to reach out to fellow atheists need to be a "fight?"  Are we battling?  How do we determine who wins?

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 11:18:33 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 4, 2014 11:04:39 GMT -5 @eveer said:

I actually don't agree. It may be true that two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes it is better to punch back than show forgiveness. Thats been my experience anyway. Plus while it would be nice for the atheists to hold the high ground, it makes no difference when arguing with religion because we are all going to burn in hell for eternity anyway. We could hold the highest of high grounds, be the most morally correct, and still we will get the hell *shrug*.
I do prefer it when my team wins on the high ground, but I will take what I can get. Rather a dickish billboard than no billboard, in other words.

But why does a billboard presumably put together to reach out to fellow atheists need to be a "fight?"  Are we battling?  How do we determine who wins?

I did not think it was meant to reach out to fellow atheists - I thought it was a direct attack at religion. And yes, we are battling. The winner gets to choose whether she can have an abortion or not, whether he has to pray at school, whether tax money funds religious endeavours etc etc

[wawa]

Dec 4, 2014 11:23:34 GMT -5 @eveer said:

Dec 4, 2014 11:18:33 GMT -5 wawa said:

But why does a billboard presumably put together to reach out to fellow atheists need to be a "fight?"  Are we battling?  How do we determine who wins?

I did not think it was meant to reach out to fellow atheists - I thought it was a direct attack at religion. And yes, we are battling. The winner gets to choose whether she can have an abortion or not, whether he has to pray at school, whether tax money funds religious endeavours etc etc

If this billboard was intended to push back against the incursion of the religious right into our government then I think it's even MORE stupid than I did originally.  How in the HELL does that billboard forward that cause?  At all?  What message is it sending exactly, and to whom?

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 11:29:36 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 4, 2014 11:23:34 GMT -5 @eveer said:

I did not think it was meant to reach out to fellow atheists - I thought it was a direct attack at religion. And yes, we are battling. The winner gets to choose whether she can have an abortion or not, whether he has to pray at school, whether tax money funds religious endeavours etc etc

If this billboard was intended to push back against the incursion of the religious right into our government then I think it's even MORE stupid than I did originally.  How in the HELL does that billboard forward that cause?  At all?  What message is it sending exactly, and to whom?

Its not a very well thought out billboard, I agree. But atheists are more or less invisible in the USA. We have Bill Maher...and...err...thats it. And he can be a prick as often as not. The politicians ignore us or slander us etc etc, and we basically have no voice. So to me, even just raising the middle finger is better than silence, which is pretty much what this billboard is doing lol. There is no point in trying to change peoples minds, and certainly not with a billboard. Not once did I see the dead baby billboard and think "you know, I think I will change my stance on abortion". That billboard is a pat on the back to those that believe it, and achieves nothing else. The difference is, those that believe it are in the media, in politics and everywhere else, whereas atheists are invisible. Until we get visible, we will be ignored. Again, I could wish for a better billboard, but just having something to drive by that I agree with gets the thumbs up from me. Plus it states there are others around who do not agree with the Jesus story, and there are many atheists who are afraid to "come out" so this is something that might (might!!!) encourage them or at least let them know they are not alone.

[saz]

Dec 4, 2014 11:36:50 GMT -5 @eveer said:

Dec 4, 2014 11:29:36 GMT -5 wawa said:

If this billboard was intended to push back against the incursion of the religious right into our government then I think it's even MORE stupid than I did originally.  How in the HELL does that billboard forward that cause?  At all?  What message is it sending exactly, and to whom?

Its not a very well thought out billboard, I agree. But atheists are more or less invisible in the USA. We have Bill Maher...and...err...thats it. And he can be a prick as often as not. The politicians ignore us or slander us etc etc, and we basically have no voice. So to me, even just raising the middle finger is better than silence, which is pretty much what this billboard is doing lol. There is no point in trying to change peoples minds, and certainly not with a billboard. Not once did I see the dead baby billboard and think "you know, I think I will change my stance on abortion". That billboard is a pat on the back to those that believe it, and achieves nothing else. The difference is, those that believe it are in the media, in politics and everywhere else, whereas atheists are invisible. Until we get visible, we will be ignored. Again, I could wish for a better billboard, but just having something to drive by that I agree with gets the thumbs up from me. Plus it states there are others around who do not agree with the Jesus story, and there are many atheists who are afraid to "come out" so this is something that might (might!!!) encourage them or at least let them know they are not alone.

Exactly, I agree. Many of the religious billboards in the south are outrageous and offensive. I'd much rather see a poorly executed atheist one.

As far as not standing up to grandma, the reason I don't is because I don't want my family losing sleep worrying and praying about my eternal fate. I know they would. If you genuinely believed that you need to be on board with Christianity 100% or you are going to hell for eternity, you would be really fucking freaked out for your loved ones who don't believe. I know because I used to feel that way about my friends who weren't Christians. I am not worried about what I'll be doing after I die, so I don't want them to either. It is much easier for everyone if I just pretend I believe the same things they do. If that makes me spineless in people's eyes, I don't care. I guess I'm just a people pleaser.