Irreligious Billboard Taken Down

[Jesse00]

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-me-billboard29-2008nov29,0,4972812.story


"A group that promotes separation of church and state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Rancho Cucamonga after a billboard on Route 66 that read "Imagine No Religion" was taken down and destroyed.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing the city because it says Redevelopment Director Linda Daniels, who is also named in the suit, contacted the billboard company telling it of the numerous complaints the city had received regarding the billboard and asked if the company could do anything."

How do you guys feel about this? Personally I think it is kind of hypocritical that we tout our society as being a melting pot and marketplace of ideas, yet allow the irreligious to be treated as inferior. Here's a picture of the billboard-

http://www.ffrf.org/news/images/imaginenoreligionbillboard.jpg

[mattybobviously]

Assuming that there's no things about the billboard going unreported, it's a damn shame.

[loveisdead]

Don't see anything wrong with the billboard.

[CTMarshall]

I can see how people could find this offensive, but I ( I'm a Christian) think it's ok. I mean, there are so many religious billboards out there, so it's definitely hypocritical getting this one removed.

[Sventhegreat]

Obviously something like this wouldn't stick around.

[Tony Pascarella]

If they can post pro-life billboards (for example), there's absolutely nothing wrong with this billboard in my mind. If it was paid for by a private group and not with tax dollars, where's the problem?

Edit: Although it looks to me like they're suing the wrong people.

[Jesse00]

Edit: Although it looks to me like they're suing the wrong people.

I agree, I think the suit should be directed toward the redevelopment director, but the case itself should not be thrown out completely. She was way out of line abusing her authority and influence to take down the billboard. The government has no business trampling first amendment rights and the taxpayers should not pay for her faux pas.

[Burn That Shit]

I support billboards like that and more of them to come.

[Anne.Frank]

We don't want the people to think for themselves, let God do it for them.

[Davey Havok]

Nothing is wrong with that billboard.

[Cure4commoncold]

The problem is a simple one and that's insecurity. This relates to the current situation happening in Olympia, WA right now where the exact same thing is happening. I saw a sign similar to the one above only the NY skyline was in the background with the twin towers still there.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/05/atheists.christmas/index.html

[J.C.]

There's an accepted bigotry around this country towards those without 'faith' that is completely underreported and nobody in any position of power really seems to give much of a shit about it. Politicians are too scared to go anywhere near the issue. I heard Obama mention it a few times on the campaign trail during the Democratic primaries, but he wasn't too interested in going there either(not that I blame him). I think it'll take someone from the Conservative aisle to eventually make the point. The Democrats don't have anything to gain from it.

[Mercy Medical]

I'm going to call and start complaining about the Pennsylvania for Marriage billboards. Hopefully those get torn down too.

[open mind]

religion doesn't belong on billboards and neither does that.....but if we're gonna have one it's only fair to have the other.

[Mercy Medical]

Billboards are obnoxious anyway.

[open mind]

Billboards are obnoxious anyway.

my thoughts exactly.

[Mercy Medical]

my thoughts exactly.
I think all billboards should be banned because they're distracting when I'm driving. Especially the electronic ones.

[open mind]

I think all billboards should be banned because they're distracting when I'm driving. Especially the electronic ones.

that might be taking it a bit far....but then again i only have to see billboards when i go south (thankfully billboards haven't caught on in alaska).

[Mercy Medical]

that might be taking it a bit far....but then again i only have to see billboards when i go south (thankfully billboards haven't caught on in alaska).
I was never really exposed to them much until I moved east.

[open mind]

I was never really exposed to them much until I moved east.

they're definately prevalent on the coasts...the only time i've spent in middle america in the last decade has been in airports.

[bogga]

I, personally, am for more nudity on billboards. Yup.

OMG this country wears me out. If I even let myself be offended by everything I saw (or heard, or read, etc.), I'd lose what little is left of my damn mind. The people responsible for having that removed and destroyed all deserve a nice boot to the head. Freedom of Speech, my ass. (And Religion for that matter...)

[vasallenstaat]

I bet anything, absolutely anything including my first born child- that if a pro-religion billboard was removed/damaged there would be protesting, news coverage, the works. Heaven forbid that aethists or agnostics share their ideas with the world, while bible nuts are allowed to sling their signs and organized bias breeding ways.What YOU believe is right, and what I believe is right. End of story.

Note: I'm Roman Catholic. I'm sick or religions telling people what is right and what isn't.

[Neo Cassady]

How does that get torn down but these have been up for years? It's indicitive of what's wrong with this country. Let's have a little balance.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/125887063_50fd27475f.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_CyoP8MsIBxw/Rmy4un8ZTkI/AAAAAAAAAa0/oOUbAI0cWtA/IMG_0225.jpg

[|adr3naLine|]

America definitelyyy seperates church and state like we say we do. Lately I've been growing reallllly tired of religion and the nuts that come with it.

[thesafeword]

America is a Christian society/country and should stay that way. Bravo for taking that anti-America billboard down.

[loveisdead]

America is a Christian society/country and should stay that way. Bravo for taking that anti-America billboard down.
I really hope you're kidding.

[thesafeword]

I am, but there are people like that, which is pretty scary.

[Karlie]

there is nothing wrong with that billboard

[CrenshawPunch]

How does that get torn down but these have been up for years? It's indicitive of what's wrong with this country. Let's have a little balance.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/125887063_50fd27475f.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_CyoP8MsIBxw/Rmy4un8ZTkI/AAAAAAAAAa0/oOUbAI0cWtA/IMG_0225.jpg

There is plenty of balance. Christian crosses on gravestones get destroyed all the time. The ACLU actively tries to remove any semblance of Christianity from everything. Look at the new exhibit at the capitol. Many of it's displays have removed mentions of God by presidents and statesmen.

[lew_1987]

These adverts have just been put on buses across the UK, thanks to a public fundraising campaign:

http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/manchester.jpg

Not seen anything like that in the UK before.

[Adeniz19]

every other billboard you see in LA is either beer, casinos, strip clubs, etc, but somehow this crossed the line?

[ArmedROBery]

Nonsense. Should be kept up. Can't spare one fucking billboard for an view opposing religion (particularly christianity)? Bullshit.

One time, I saw a billboard with a creepy, smiling headshot of a doctor holding a stethoscope that read "Need a vasectomy recently? Call ...." WHAT THE FUCK.

[&IllBeTheReason]

I couldn't possibly have imagined a less offensive poster. Anyone in a city called Rancho Cucamonga is automatically a tool anyway.

[benn10]

I agree that there is nothing technically wrong with the billboard, but it seems as though the creators of it styled it to be purposely offensive. They we're asking for it.

[paper halo]

I agree that there is nothing technically wrong with the billboard, but it seems as though the creators of it styled it to be purposely offensive. They we're asking for it.

In what way is it offensive?

[Smeee]

In what way is it offensive?

Yeah, I'm a Christian and I take no offense from that sign. I think it should be encouraged that people question and consider their belief (or lack of it) in religion.

[Roboman]

I agree that there is nothing technically wrong with the billboard, but it seems as though the creators of it styled it to be purposely offensive. They we're asking for it.

No. Wrong. False. They were asking for it? What, just because it's supposed to be stained glass like in a church? It's only offensive to those who are so obsessed with their beliefs that any sign of disagreement or a differing opinion is seen as an attack. I really can't understand how there are people out there who get so irritated by a billboard like this that they go through the trouble of figuring who to call just to complain about it. Sure, I may not like all the stupid Christian billboards hanging around the highways of the south, but I'll be damned if I'm ever going to care enough to do anything other than flick it off.

[Machu505]

Billboards for strip clubs are just alright though.

[dissident]

i can definitely see people being offended, but i can guarantee that i hate every single one of them without meeting them.

[benn10]

Get the fuck out. There's anti abortion, anti gay marriage and anti anyone who isn't a christian billboards across America and this is purposefully offensive?

Yes, it is. Do other people creating similar billboards make this one right? I think not.

[paper halo]

Yes, it is. Do other people creating similar billboards make this one right? I think not.

You have yet to explain why it is so offensive.

[CTMarshall]

You have yet to explain why it is so offensive.

he is probably saying it's offensive because it is set on stained glass - similar to a church. I have no problem with it, but the comparisons can be made.

[Bruised26]

let people have freedom speech and do what they want.

[benn10]

he is probably saying it's offensive because it is set on stained glass - similar to a church. I have no problem with it, but the comparisons can be made.

Yep, that's what I'm talking about.

Personally, I think free speech is great. It's just extremely irksome when people blatantly offend another group of people just to gain attention for their cause. I can't technically call it an abuse of free speech, but it's just irreverent and completely intolerant.

[thespearkid]

Do other people creating similar billboards make this one right?
Yes.

[xJesusFreakx]

Freedom of speech is freedom of speech. It's intentionally a blunt poster so as to draw attention and spark thought. There may be malicious intent, but that can be argued about anything, and nothing about the billboard itself inherently implies malicious intent.

Christians really annoy me sometimes...

[SureAsRain]

I live in Ontario right next to Rancho. I wrote a paper on this topic if anyone has the desire to read further into this subject of freedom of speech and religion.

check it out

http://duhwemeannothing.blogspot.com/

[Taniam]

Yeah I'm a christian and if we can parade our beliefs via billboard so can athiests...and lets be honost here how many people have seen John 3:16 written on a billboard and then break down crying and turn their life around....virtually none...so the same will be true with this billboard no christian or any religion for that matter will drive down the road see this billboard and be like you know they're right im going to stop loving God...it is not going to happen...so thats my two cents

[Taniam]

Christians really annoy me sometimes...


I know sometimes I read stuff and I'm like WHAT ARE YOU DOING..it can be quite flustering some of the things christians try to associate with christianity

[perceptrons]

The "atheist" buses in Britain are being fought as well, because a prominent christian there says that the message cannot be proven. I'd love for them to be taken down for that reason, as all christian billboards would have to come down as well.

[paper halo]

The "atheist" buses in Britain are being fought as well, because a prominent christian there says that the message cannot be proven. I'd love for them to be taken down for that reason, as all christian billboards would have to come down as well.

The "There's probably no God. Enjoy your life" bus signs? I recently read a story about a Christian bus driver refusing to drive one of those and storiming out of work. Haven't heard about this story though. Sounds even more ridiculous.

[Praetor]

The "There's probably no God. Enjoy your life" bus signs? I recently read a story about a Christian bus driver refusing to drive one of those and storiming out of work. Haven't heard about this story though. Sounds even more ridiculous.
I don't really see a problem with that.

[paper halo]

I don't really see a problem with that.

Really? I think it's rather like a child throwing it's toys from a pram. I have a feeling I would be fired if I refused to work because of an inoffensive poster.

[xshady121]

Really? I think it's rather like a child throwing it's toys from a pram. I have a feeling I would be fired if I refused to work because of an inoffensive poster.

whether or not it is "inoffensive" is subjective.

[benn10]

whether or not it is "inoffensive" is subjective.

100% agreed.

[BrennanHickson]

If Christians can tack large canvases to trees with statements along the lines of, "Believe in God or go to Hell," why can't nonreligious people put this billboard up?

[benn10]

If Christians can tack large canvases to trees with statements along the lines of, "Believe in God or go to Hell," why can't nonreligious people put this billboard up?

Your point is irrefutable and I don't think either party is being tolerant of the others' beliefs. I think it's kind of demeaning and condescending to try and influence others' religious beliefs.

There's one thing I'd just like to point out. The actions of a denomination of individuals (in this case those who put up the sign) are not necessarily representative of everyone who shares that belief.

[BrennanHickson]

Your point is irrefutable and I don't think either party is being tolerant of the others' beliefs. I think it's kind of demeaning and condescending to try and influence others' religious beliefs.

There's one thing I'd just like to point out. The actions of a denomination of individuals (in this case those who put up the sign) are not necessarily representative of everyone who shares that belief.

Oh, I understand that. I'm a Christian and am in no way affiliated with the belief that you must accept and believe in God in order to avoid going to Hell. In fact, I am in no way affiliated with the belief that there even is a Hell.

[benn10]

Oh, I understand that. I'm a Christian and am in no way affiliated with the belief that you must accept and believe in God in order to avoid going to Hell. In fact, I am in no way affiliated with the belief that there even is a Hell.

Lol yup. And I totally respect that.

[Taniam]

Oh, I understand that. I'm a Christian and am in no way affiliated with the belief that you must accept and believe in God in order to avoid going to Hell. In fact, I am in no way affiliated with the belief that there even is a Hell.


...then you are not a christian and missed a great deal of the new testament...and the old testament for that matter

[Praetor]

Really? I think it's rather like a child throwing it's toys from a pram. I have a feeling I would be fired if I refused to work because of an inoffensive poster.
Would you be stoked to drive a bus that says "Pass Prop 8, because the gays want to molest our kids?"

[paper halo]

Would you be stoked to drive a bus that says "Pass Prop 8, because the gays want to molest our kids?"

You think the two are comparable? How absurd.

[benn10]

Caution: Genuises at work.

Looks like Socrates and Plato here just discovered things are subjective.

You, my friend, are a douchebag.

[BrennanHickson]

...then you are not a christian and missed a great deal of the new testament...and the old testament for that matter

No, I'm just more open minded than most ultra-conservative southern Baptists.


You think the two are comparable? How absurd.

I second this.

[xshady121]

Caution: Genuises at work.

Looks like Socrates and Plato here just discovered things are subjective.


I laughed.

But I stand by my original point, that he failed to realize that it was subjective.

[xshady121]

No, I'm just more open minded than most ultra-conservative southern Baptists.


.

No, you're bastardizing the Christian faith. All of that stuff is at the core of being Christian. It's like calling yourself a vegeterian, but still eating chicken.

[perceptrons]

I'm sure there are some Christian denominations that don't believe anyone who doesn't choose to accept/believe in God is automatically going to hell. The big ones surely do, but I'd assume there are at least a few minor ones that don't. Of course, this gets into a whole other laughable manner that I wont go into.

I'd submit the Society of Friends (Quakers) as an example.

And believing hell exists is not a requirement of Christianity, as far as I know.

[paper halo]

I laughed.

But I stand by my original point, that he failed to realize that it was subjective.

Wrong. Referring to it as inoffensive was, yes, my point of view. However, my point would still have been the same had I not done so.

[perceptrons]

If you think something saying "God probably doesn't exist" is offensive, you aren't the brightest bulb.

[xshady121]

If you think something saying "God probably doesn't exist" is offensive, you aren't the brightest bulb.

this statement is offensive.

[perceptrons]

this statement is offensive.
Surely you jest.

[Praetor]

You think the two are comparable? How absurd.
The bus driver thought that the message on his bus was offensive. I, and you, find the gay comment offensive. They are comparable on that level, and that's all that matters in this discussion. That was the extent of my comparison. Why would you endorse a message that you found offensive?

[BrennanHickson]

No, you're bastardizing the Christian faith. All of that stuff is at the core of being Christian. It's like calling yourself a vegeterian, but still eating chicken.

In hindsight, it's more along the lines of calling myself a vegetarian and eating Goldfish crackers.

I'm well aware of the fundamentals of Christianity and I do not refuse to accept them. Though I am not declining the possibility that a Hell exists, I do not believe, with absolute certainty, that Hell (and other basic focuses of Christianity) are true.

Because of my curious nature, I find it difficult not to question the boundaries of both Hell and the remaining fundamentals, as I'm sure do many other individuals.

Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith.
- Paul Tillich

[perceptrons]

The bus driver thought that the message on his bus was offensive. I, and you, find the gay comment offensive. They are comparable on that level, and that's all that matters in this discussion. That was the extent of my comparison. Why would you endorse a message that you found offensive?
Performing your job is not endorsing a message you find offensive.

[Praetor]

Performing your job is not endorsing a message you find offensive.
...and I'm assuming that he got penalized by his employer for not performing his job. Freedom of speech encompasses freedom to protest.

[Taniam]

In hindsight, it's more along the lines of calling myself a vegetarian and eating Goldfish crackers.

I'm well aware of the fundamentals of Christianity and I do not refuse to accept them. Though I am not declining the possibility that a Hell exists, I do not believe, with absolute certainty, that Hell (and other basic focuses of Christianity) are true.

Because of my curious nature, I find it difficult not to question the boundaries of both Hell and the remaining fundamentals, as I'm sure do many other individuals.


- Paul Tillich
I understand what you are saying and i'm not saying you shuold blindly follow "ultra-conservative southern baptitst" but if you want to question christianity you must do it against the bible and the bibly clearly states that if you dont believe in God then you will have an eternal death...it sux..sin sux...but thats what the bible says