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“Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.” Starting this week, these words will be read by motorists traveling on Highway 95 near Moscow, Idaho. They are part of a highway billboard that features an image of blue sky and clouds with the words superimposed over. The billboard is placed by the American Humanist Association, a national advocacy organization, and is part of an ongoing campaign to raise the public profile of nontheism. The striking message raises a question … and maybe some eyebrows/American Humanist Association. More here.
Question: Do you have a positive or negative impression of atheists?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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JeanieSpokane on March 24 at 1:57 p.m.
First off - I think the sign is going to bite “nontheism” followers in the foot. “Don’t believe in God? …” would invoke all my beliefs, hopes, and prayers. My mother was an atheist. Her four children are all Christians. And she always wondered how THAT happened. On the subject of death, she would tell us that this is it, this day is all you have, after that - when you die - it’s nothing. A. Black. Hole. Forever.
I had nightmares growing up. One brother and I are steadfast believers in God, in the good of mankind, in positive thoughts, in Heaven, bla bla bla. My mother died two years ago and I honestly cannot picture her spirit - she is where she wanted to be - in nothingness. So - I guess I have a distinct *negative* impression of atheists. I don’t stand too close to them either - in case of lightning strikes.
Aliasjax on March 24 at 2:49 p.m.
If there is a hell, we atheists won’t be lonely…I just hope the Mormons are right. I don’t want to have to spend eternity without hot coffee and cold beer.
ThomasPaine on March 24 at 2:56 p.m.
I understand why Christians are opposed to atheism. Christians believe that unless you follow Christ you are going to hell, forever. Therefore they try to convert non-Christians to help them avoid this unfortunate turn of events.
What I can’t understand is why atheists are so opposed to Christianity? Why do they feel a need to convert others to their view? Can anyone help me with this?
Cindy_H on March 24 at 3:02 p.m.
I don’t believe in atheists.
Aliasjax on March 24 at 3:33 p.m.
Tom Paine…I don’t know of any atheists trying to convert Christians…except those who might think that by following Christ you’re doomed to ignorance, forever. Therefore they try to convert non-atheists to help them avoid this unfortunate turn of events…
The billboards tell non-believers that it’s okay to not believe, they’re not alone. They don’t say, “stop believing.” How you arrive at the notion that this is intended to convert believers into non-believers is beyond me. The billboards don’t support your contention.
JamesBond on March 24 at 3:34 p.m.
People who make proving a negative a centerpiece of their persona have always bothered me.
Cabbage Boy on March 24 at 3:38 p.m.
“Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.” God still believes in you!
You make an excellent point Mr. Paine.
BigMac on March 24 at 4:13 p.m.
I have a positive impression of atheists. I’ve never had an atheist knock on my door and offer me literature. I’ve never had an atheist aggressively tell me he’ll “pray for me” to find spiritual truth. And I’ve never had an atheist ask for my tax dollars to fund expressions of his faith.
Cabbage Boy on March 24 at 4:20 p.m.
Actually BigMac, the atheists use our tax dollars everyday in the public school system to fund their expression of faith.
BigMac on March 24 at 6:10 p.m.
Actually, Cabbage Boy, they don’t.
hollykb on March 24 at 6:13 p.m.
JamesBond: “People who make proving a negative a centerpiece of their persona have always bothered me.”
Atheism isn’t a negative, it’s a neutral. If someone hasn’t perceived any empirical evidence for a god, it’s not a denial. The negativity you describe is denial in the face of evidence, and that’s not how atheists think. If a god were to suddenly make itself undeniably visible or otherwise tangible, then the atheist would certainly accept the evidence and become a theist. But until then, atheists have no more reason to believe in a god then they do to believe in other mythical creatures, even if those things were once worshiped by ancient people.
ThomasPaine: “Why do (atheists) feel a need to convert others to their view? Can anyone help me with this?”
Most atheists don’t care what other people believe as long as those beliefs don’t impede the rights of others who don’t share those religious beliefs. Some atheists who do wish to convert religious people usually are doing so because they feel the beliefs of others are causing direct or indirect harm to themselves or others who don’t share those beliefs.
For example, most opposition to same-sex marriage is religion-based, so if religious people stopped believing, same-sex people would probably end up having the same rights as straight people. Another frustration for atheists is the Israel-Palestine conflict, which is based on religion. Etc., etc., it’s the same reasons Christians (and atheists) oppose Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law.
Stickman on March 24 at 8:17 p.m.
Big Mac: I lked your stuff today.
Stickman on March 24 at 8:20 p.m.
I am not positive or negative on this issue. I believe that if their is a higher power, it comes from within. It’s how we deal with everyone around us and how we portray ourselves.