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Atheist Billboard Coming to Huntsville, Alabama

JankinonyaJankinonyaOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by b50m:
I thought that Jank.

I can't see why saying you're going to an imaginary hell is offensive to an atheist either, but whatever.

I think the last line of the post I put up says it all:

It may mitigate the controversy, but it’s a calculation of what do you want more, the controversy or the invitation?

I would say they want the controversy, then pretend they don't understand why they get it?

Not buying it.


You know what to be honest I am fine with the controversy. I welcome it. I made a New Years resolution to stop trying to candy coat my responses when it comes to my atheism. I sincerely don't want to hurt feelings or offend but I am kind of tired of walking on egg shells too.

I think controversy will cause discussion and that can only lead to enlightenment. There are many out there that are riding the fence and this might force them to face what they truly believe. For those that still believe and choose to continue, maybe this will help them understand that their view is not the only one and they are going to have to share this world with others. I would love to see this area become completely immune to these sort of billboards. When that day comes then I and every other atheist in the south will finally be able to openly express our disbelief without it being so shocking to the senses of fragile christians.

So yeah, I am good with it being for controversy only. I really could care less about converting.
JenniferJenniferOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by b50m:
Jank,
I think the only reason it was put up was controversy.

How about if you saw one that said:
Atheists-You know you are going to Hell, right?

How would that hit you?
No worse than when a "christian" says it to my face. It might irk me but I don't run crying to Bill O'Reily. Plus I know I'm not going to hell, it's just the intent to insult so let's not go round and round that bush again.
JankinonyaJankinonyaOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by b50m:
Jank,
I think the only reason it was put up was controversy.

How about if you saw one that said:
Atheists-You know you are going to Hell, right?

How would that hit you?


B,

I posted just such a sign if you go back and look. It exist. It has been up on I-65 for as long as I can remember.

To be honest it has never really bothered me that much. I took a picture of it once coming back from Auburn. It sorta makes me giggle. Smiler

I will not be one of the ones that says this sign was meant for the atheist that are still in the closet. That might have been their intent but I can think of better ways of saying it if it was. As I said I am happy with the controversy. I like that it is giving christians a little taste of their own medicine.

I hope that it forces the issue to the point that it is no longer an issue.
b50mb50mOld Faithful
Jank,
Mine was that you know you are going to hell but refuse to accept it, not one that states YOU ARE GOING TO HELL.

A major difference, as with the atheist sign, you KNOW it's a scam.
'
All in how it is phrased. One condemns directly, the other tells you that you already know that.

If they wanted just to make people aware of an atheist org, like people don't know that already, it could have been done less insultingly.

All for the show. Same as the crazy religious folks and the anti American crap. Just to stir up animosity.

Problem is, no one is ever going to meet in the middle if we spend eternity trying to tick each other off.
FM Former Member
quote:
If that stupid billboard in Huntsville wasn't meant to offend religious folk, it should have read, "Are you an atheist who thinks you're alone in this world? We're here to help."


I agree with this. (minus the word "stupid")
I believe it is anything but stupid. I think the wording was very carefully calculated.
Personally, I don't care about the flipping billboard. The wording "irked" me a little, but I also LOL when I pass the one that says "Go to church or the devil will getcha!".....
It's all about being reasonable and respectful in this world- neither billboard does that.
So the pissing contest continues...
FM Former Member
quote:
You know what to be honest I am fine with the controversy. I welcome it. I made a New Years resolution to stop trying to candy coat my responses when it comes to my atheism. I sincerely don't want to hurt feelings or offend but I am kind of tired of walking on egg shells too.


Jank, I applaud that. While I obviously disagree with atheism, I respect that you have resolved to openly and freely discuss. There is no point in debate if we don't "let it all out- the good, the bad and the ugly" ...lol...
truly...What good is debating these issues if we are not brutally honest?
Cheers.
buffalobuffaloPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by Jankinonya:
quote:
Originally posted by buffalo:
Jank has fell in with a den of perverts and I warned her about it.

Flee from them jank you know better.


Actually you are the only soul I want to convert. Come to our side Buffy. The grass is so much greener over here. Wink


uhh Jank tell me about that green grass of which you speak? What would I do different under that circumstance?

I'll bet there is nothing I cannot do as a believer. Big Grin
Not Shallow Not SlimNot Shallow Not SlimOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by b50m:
Jank,
I think the only reason it was put up was controversy.

How about if you saw one that said:
Atheists-You know you are going to Hell, right?

How would that hit you?


b,

I've seen billboards along those lines. "Repent or Burn!"

What's wrong with starting a controversy? Or continuing one? If it takes a poke in the chest to challenge the practical theocracy of Alabama, then good on American Atheists for picking this particular fight. If it takes a deliberate challenge to break the ice of a religious understanding among the good people of Alabama, then it's long overdue. There is no such understanding, really.

Religion does not answer the questions about the Universe. It gets in the way. It's time Alabama started to discuss this. The rest of the world is thoroughly engaged in this discussion.

nsns
buffalobuffaloPost Master
[quote[slim]Religion does not answer the questions about the Universe. It gets in the way. It's time Alabama started to discuss this. The rest of the world is thoroughly engaged in this discussion.[/quote]

Ho boy here he goes again with the universe thing.

Lol Roll Eyesslim you are as close to the universe as you will ever be.

Your only hope of ever knowing the truth about it will of necessity come from it’s creator. Wink

I’ll bet you haven’t finished the last assignment I gave you. Mad lol
A. RobustusA. RobustusPost Master
Update: The South East Regional Atheist Meet was great and an all-out success, exceeding everyone's expectations. The event sold out online and at the door. There were over 200 atheists in attendance, with at least 6 attendees from the Shoals. We got tons of press coverage from the Huntsville Times, The Christian Post, WAFF, WHNT, WAAY, WERC, WZDX. The famous and purposely controversial billboard that kicked off the SERAM was covered on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News and became a meme after the O’Reilly Show coverage which the caused appearances or mentions on The Colbert Report, Keith Olberman, and Real Time with Bill Maher. The amount of local, national and international coverage over a single billboard in Huntsville brought American Atheists about $10 million in free advertising. A 25-seat fund-raising dinner raised $10,000 dollars toward the American Atheists Legal Fund, which will be matched by a donor, dollar for dollar, giving American Atheists $20,000 toward their Legal Fund, just from this event in Alabama. As a result of all the attention, membership has increased significantly for American Atheists and the local Huntsville and Shoals groups, among others in the Southeast and nationwide, which are already at all-time highs in membership. There was networking, learning and even singing. I had pleasant conversations with some of the Mississippi Christians standing across the street and even one of the Shoal's own participated on a select panel. Not too shabby. Very memorable. I Wish you could've all been there. As for everything else well, 'what happened at the SERAM stays at the SERAM.' Oh, and apparently somebody won a million dollars Smiler
A. RobustusA. RobustusPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by b50m:
Sounds like a good time. I don't know why people get their bloomers in a wad. I guess the desired controversy had the desired effect, so good for the group.

What is the Atheist Legal Fund used for?


Yup good times.

As for the Legal Fund, remember when we were talking about 13 foot-tall Christian roadside memorials on public property in Utah not too long ago? AA sued Utah to restore separation of church & state (SOCAS)and AA won. Utah appealed, AA won again. Utah is appealing to the US Supreme Court. They've also recently sued Kentucky Homeland Security because under state law, God is Kentucky's first line of defense against terrorism. AA won that too. Kentucky appealed and AA won again. Now it's going to the Kentucky Supreme Court. I think the US Army is next for introducing a "spiritual fitness" assessment for troops. Anyway, all of that legal stuff costs money. Utah, Kentucky & the Army use tax-payer dollars to continue to peruse these matters appeal after appeal, AA has to raise money from the secular community to pay for the continued defense of SOCAS issues. People can contrubute money directly to the American Atheist's Legal Fund.
b50mb50mOld Faithful
Yes, I remember the crosses.

So I guess the AA is the equivalent of the ACLU, only smarter. LOL

The 'spiritual fitness' thing was a surprise to me too. I had not heard of it before. If I remember the case, soldiers who opted out had to clean the latrine or something. Rather odd to say the least.

I think that one needs review even without a lawsuit.
Not Shallow Not SlimNot Shallow Not SlimOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by A. Robustus:
Update: The South East Regional Atheist Meet was great and an all-out success, exceeding everyone's expectations. The event sold out online and at the door. There were over 200 atheists in attendance, with at least 6 attendees from the Shoals. We got tons of press coverage from the Huntsville Times, The Christian Post, WAFF, WHNT, WAAY, WERC, WZDX. The famous and purposely controversial billboard that kicked off the SERAM was covered on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News and became a meme after the O’Reilly Show coverage which the caused appearances or mentions on The Colbert Report, Keith Olberman, and Real Time with Bill Maher. The amount of local, national and international coverage over a single billboard in Huntsville brought American Atheists about $10 million in free advertising. A 25-seat fund-raising dinner raised $10,000 dollars toward the American Atheists Legal Fund, which will be matched by a donor, dollar for dollar, giving American Atheists $20,000 toward their Legal Fund, just from this event in Alabama. As a result of all the attention, membership has increased significantly for American Atheists and the local Huntsville and Shoals groups, among others in the Southeast and nationwide, which are already at all-time highs in membership. There was networking, learning and even singing. I had pleasant conversations with some of the Mississippi Christians standing across the street and even one of the Shoal's own participated on a select panel. Not too shabby. Very memorable. I Wish you could've all been there. As for everything else well, 'what happened at the SERAM stays at the SERAM.' Oh, and apparently somebody won a million dollars Smiler


Outstanding!

Yes, I'm sure the AA must have thanked the popular media for publicity it could not have bought in its wildest dreams.

Let's hope the SERAM was an ice-breaker to bring the awareness of atheism to North Alabama!

nsns
buffalobuffaloPost Master
I’m impressed with the figures myself.

When I was a young lad there were estimated to be thousands of atheist candidates here in the Tri-Cities.

Most of them were in Little Phoenix City [Shurfield] probably the most Godless period in Shoals history.

Then religion came to town and that number is now whittled down to a token residue.

Thanks to the many Bill Grays here in the Shoals the atheist candidates are insignificant as policy makers that would kill off the whole area as the death blow they gave Sheffield years ago.
A. RobustusA. RobustusPost Master
I neglected to mention that the adult attendees ranged in age from college kids to septuagenarians, if not older. There were whole families in attendance, as well as at least one young person who brought her recently enlightened mother to experience the local event.

NSNS,
I think it was indeed an eye opening ice-breaker for many in the local community, religious and otherwise. It was all very worthwhile.

By the way, there is another billboard on the way and some other exiting plans in the near future too mark some important events.
buffalobuffaloPost Master
quote:
A 25-seat fund-raising dinner raised $10,000 dollars toward the American Atheists Legal Fund, which will be matched by a donor, dollar for dollar, giving American Atheists $20,000 toward their Legal Fund

Good grief Adot don't tell how much money you got. Some slick lawyer will find some attendant that slipped on an orangutan turd and twisted their back. FCOL
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