Atheists and Billboards

Bob Waldrep of the Crosswinds Foundation talks with Attorney A. Eric Johnston and Advertising Executive Tommy DeRamus about the controversy over a companies right to refuse or accept ads that they deem offensive. This case involves the Freedom From Religion Foundations placement of a sign in the Birmingham area.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Bob
• Waldrep
• Crosswinds
• Foundation
• Attorney
• A.
• Eric
• Johnston
• and
• Advertising
• Executive
• Tommy
• DeRamus
• Freedom
• From
• Religion
• billboards
• atheist
• freedom
• of
• speech

[thisisnotanick]

It is quite amazing how some Christians behave very un-Christian like and bigoted when it comes to something they do not like.

[crosswindsfoundation]

@thisisnotanick I continue to be confused by such claims. We produced a video stating atheists have the right to buy and display publicly advertising with their message and yet we are said to be acting "nonchristian like" (whatever that means). Granted, the video contains a Christian message. Does presenting a Christian message makes one "unChristian like"? Please provide me specific examples of where it is unchristian and bigoted and perhaps I can respond less generally. Thanks for commenting.

[thisisnotanick]

@crosswindsfoundation I did not mean to say that the producers of the video are bigoted or un-Christian like, I should have specified more.

I am actually thankful that the video was made, it was very interesting and well made. Thank you for sharing.

Rather I meant to say, Christians who conspire to take down these billboards, behave very un-Christian like, and bigoted.

Sorry for the confusion.

[crosswindsfoundation]

@thisisnotanick Thanks for clarifying this for me. Though I disagree with the position taken by ahteists regarding God, that does not mean we cannot be civil towards one another. I am pleased that you viewed the video as it was intended.

[QuiteAware]

Perhaps if you had interviewed an Atheist, you would realize that we aren't trying to corrupt "your" community but that we are trying to express an idea.

Diversity should be accepted. Not rejected.

[QuiteAware]

"These are the kind of messages that are invading our culture..."

We aren't invading anything. We are trying to have our say. When Christian literature and ideology can have 2 isles in the local bookstore, we are entitled to have at lease one shelf.

And I'm not angry. Not at all. I'm just trying to fight for my convictions and for acceptance, in the most passive way.

[hawkertruffelsnout]

what a bunch of closed minded bigots….im glad to say that in the UK. Christians are in the minority yet I still see religious ads all the time & no one complains about them

[Godlesspanther]

I am not eating any of that shit. What would there attitude be if a billboard company turned down a xtian ad? What those hypocritical lying sacks of shit change their attitude in a New York fucking minute. What a bunch of fucking liars for Sneezuz, or Skweezuz, or Bleezuz -- or whatever the dead asshole on a stick' name was supposed to be. Fuck ' em.

[crosswindsfoundation]

@MastrodiAtheist I understand your point about the views of those interviewed being taken to reflect those of the channel. Having said that, I still do not see how their comments rise to the level of an "attack", "offense" etc. Clearly they disagreee with the views of atheism; but, could the same not be said of your views toward Christianity? Nowhere in the interview did I hear them indicate atheist were not entitled to their views and to promoting them. This is the key issue,

[MastrodiAtheist]

Hopefully you can see how one could, in this case, mistake the views on the people interviewed, for the views of the channel. I did watch the video all the way through the first time. I generally make it a rule that I do not post a comment on the video without watching it all the way first.

I myself was not trying to attack you or the foundation with the question. But I was a bit perplexed on how the sign was offensive. One issue I did have was the us against them additude he interviewees had.

[MastrodiAtheist]

@crosswindsfoundation Ok, so you yourself were not offended. However in the video the sign is labeled as inappropriate and taken offensively. Also it is compared to a repulsive and graphic billboard in New York City on the same level. These people who are interviewed i guess on the ones who made the claim. I personally saw the sign as a way for atheists to come out of the atheistic closet so to speak and make themselves known on the sites forum.

[crosswindsfoundation]

@VelcroBanana @VelcroBanana Sorry velcro, I meant my previos post for mastro. I actually somewhat agree with your comment and have heard Christians say they took the sign to mean think of how bad the world would be without religion. The sign is a play on Lennon's song and we know the next line. Also, it is meant to promote the website, obviously not intended to be pro-religion. BTW, no fear of the question, just wonder why atheists fear our pointing it out and responding. ;-)