'In Reason We Trust' Say Tampa Area Billboards

[Hissyspit]

Run time: 01:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdcKWp-tfME   Posted on YouTube: August 12, 2010 By YouTube Member: JesusSavesAtCitibank Views on YouTube: 85   Posted on DU: August 13, 2010 By DU Member: Hissyspit Views on DU: 1582

 
Alternate Coverage Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqHGIoRAsqU

JesusSavesAtCitibank | August 12, 2010

WTSP 10 news, 8-11-2010

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The Freedom From Religion Foundation
http://www.ffrf.org
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"Anti-religion billboards go up in Bay area"

St. Petersburg, Florida -- The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics is putting up 20 anti-religion billboards in Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The billboards, paid for by the Freedom From Religion Foundation feature one of four slogans and started going up on Thursday. The slogans on the different billboards read; "Sleep In On Sundays," "Imagine No Religion," "God and Government - A Dangerous Mix," and "In Reason We Trust."

Photo Gallery: Anti-religion billboards in Tampa Bay

Annie Laurie Gaylor, the Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation says 20 billboards are the most they have every put up in one area.

"We want it to be visible, we want people to really see it while they're up and reach out to like minded people," Gaylor said.

Gaylor says more than anything, the billboards are part of an awareness campaign. She says awareness both of her organization and that 15% of Americans are non-religious.

"We want to reach people who agree with us of course, but mostly we want to educate because we think that when everywhere you look there is religion and religious billboards and churches and crosses and religion 24/7 and on the public airwaves, that religion wins by default and we want to balance that."

One of the group's billboards is located just feet from the Southside Tabernacle Baptist Church on 18th Avenue South. Pastor Henry Payne with Southside Tabernacle Baptist says he doesn't like the billboards, but understands it's the group's right to put them up. He also thinks most people will simply ignore them.

"One percent might look at that (billboard) and ponder, but the rest of them will see it and keep going," Payne told 10 News.

The billboards are expected to stay up for a month and cost the group $3,500.

Freedom From Religion has more than 15,500 members nationwide. The group last held its annual convention in Tampa back in 1997.

Below is a list of where some of the Freedom From Religion billboards are located.

* Rome Ave and LaSalle St. in Tampa
* Columbus Dr and North Blvd. in Tampa
* MLK, Jr. Blvd and Lois Ave in Tampa
* 15th St. and Lake Ave in Tampa
* 22nd St and Cayuga St. in Tampa
* 21st Ave and 22nd St in Tampa
* 34th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd in Tampa
* 40th St. and Osborne Ave in Tampa
* MacDill Ave and N. Adams St. in Tampa
* Rowlett Park and Sligh Ave in Tampa
* 37th St. South and 18th Ave South in St. Petersburg
* Park Blvd and 59th St. North in Pinellas Park

[Pharaoh]

1. Ha!

I went to High School with Annie Gaylor...............

I am spiritual and non religious which are 2 separate subjects which

I hope she can clarify someday :party:

[opihimoimoi]

2. BRAVO K&R :o)

[caledesi]

3. Good! live in tampa....nt

[Stumbler]

4. Yay!

Good for FFRF.

[davidhilton]

5. That would be so fun if an anti-religious movement was to take

shape in this country. Feels like early american history, where one could find a good hearty protest on many a street corner. America is still doing her best to work thru some of the crinkles. We're still a young country.

[izquierdista]

6. Sleep in?

With all that nice Florida sunshine? I'd be tempted to become a sun worshiper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o

[DeSwiss]

7. K&R

But personal faith and public religion are two completely different things.

When religion goes public it stops being spiritual and it becomes political. Usually running on the "Moral-hypocrisy Ticket." And because it claims divine authority, demanding unconditional submission and obedience from outside the bounds of reason, it despises democracy as much as it despises women and homosexuals. So quite a lot then.

And therefore it is always working toward theocracy. Toward strengthening the power and status of clergy. Public religion exists for the sole benefit of the clergy. And clergy exists for the sole benefit of clergy. And this is a pivotal point to understand.

Personal faith, spirituality, whatever you want to call it, doesn’t need to be administered and policed by a privileged class of clerical fascists. Whereas public religion not only depends upon clergy, they depend upon it. Neither can exist without the other. And neither is "actually" necessary.

And they know this of course. Which is why their proxy-religion is all about guilt and submission and obedience. Not enlightenment. Are you kidding? That's the last thing they want. Because "enlightened people" don't need clergy.

Why do you think the Pope tells Catholics obedience to the doctrine of The Church is the foundation of your faith? Not the "Sermon On The Mount," not "loving your neighbor," obedience is your foundation.

Of course it is. It has to be. Because the alternative is for you to look into your own heart, and that's the last place these parasites want you looking. Because that's where the bullshit detector is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlYN5KCiWg">Pat Condell - From ''The arrogance of clergy''

[Capt. America]

8. +1 However, it sounds like these people are anti-theists, rather than atheists,

which tend to make the kooks even kookier. I am an atheist and I do not like the God folks putting up billboards about Jesus, so I think I it is reasonable that the anti-theists not put up anti-God billboards.

[Althaia]

11. the theists actively seek to deny basic rights to people who are not like them..

..and I think that they need to be reminded to respect the rights of others.

[wysimdnwyg]

12. That may be, but it's pretty damn hypocritical

If atheists (like me) don't want to see religious propaganda plastered all over town, it's reasonable to expect that "our side" wouldn't put up anti-religious propaganda. I don't have a problem with two of the four signs, but the ones saying "Sleep in on Sundays" and "Imagine no religion" are actively advocating for people to abandon their religious beliefs. IMO, that's just as bad as signs advocating a particular faith.

If one wants to practice religion, that's fine. Just don't shove it in my face. Consequently, I don't expect others to like it if I were to shove my atheism in their face.

[Plucketeer]

9. I LIKE it!

Give those phony sky gods the boot!

[FLyellowdog]

10. Awesome!nt

[cachukis]

13. Oddly, the billboards are in neighborhoods where they are less

expensive and are seen by lower income residents who are probably more reliant on prayers for any sense of financial salvation.

Maybe the impact will be: "Those prayers aren't getting me any further ahead."