From COR…
(Cincinnati, November 12, 2009) In the wake of “multiple, significant threats,” the downtown billboard that says, “Don’t Believe In God? You are not alone,” came down early this morning. It had been up only since Tuesday afternoon at Reading Road and 12th Street, one block south of Liberty Street. It is being moved to a new site today at the Sixth Street Viaduct.
Around 2:00 PM yesterday, the United Coalition of Reason, which paid $3,875.00 for a one-month run of the billboard, was contacted by Lamar Advertising of Cincinnati. Lamar reported that the landowner of the site had been threatened over the billboard’s message and wanted it taken down. Lamar only leases the land the billboard stands on.
“We weren’t given the landowner’s name or precise details,” reported Fred Edwords, national director of the United Coalition of Reason. “Nor did we pursue them. It was sufficient to learn that this person had received multiple, significant threats and that Lamar would act quickly to alleviate the problem.”
Edwords added: “Lamar was most apologetic to us regarding the situation. It was a development they hadn’t expected. Nor had we. Nothing like this has ever happened to us before.”
The new location on the 6th Street Expressway, U.S. Highway 50, is owned by Lamar Advertising of Cincinnati and therefore isn’t subject to landowner restrictions. The billboard will face east, visible on the left to traffic traveling west out of the city across the viaduct toward the suburbs of Delhi and Price Hill.
Shawn Jeffers, co-coordinator for Cin CoR, the Cincinnati Coalition of Reason, which is the local organization the billboard advertises, sees this controversy as evidence of the billboard’s importance.
“Everything that has happened shows just how vital our message is,” Jeffers said. “It proves our point, that bigotry against people who don’t believe in a god is still very real in America. Only when we atheists, agnostics and humanists come together and go public about our views will people have a chance to learn that we too are part of the community and deserve respect.”
On its website at CinCoR.org, the Cincinnati Coalition of Reason describes itself as “a collection of nontheistic groups in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky working together to increase awareness of secular-minded principles and organizations.” The coalition was launched on November 10 when the billboard first went up.
“We are now more committed than ever to the goal of making our presence known,” Jeffers added. “Hopefully this turn of events will cause more and more nontheistic people in Cincinnati to realize how necessary it is to get organized. Only by working together can we end prejudice against philosophical and religious minorities.”
The United Coalition of Reason has now funded fourteen campaigns this year.
Each has involved a billboard or public transit ads. They have appeared in places as far flung as Boston, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Morgantown, West Virginia; Newark, New Jersey; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York; Phoenix, Arizona, and San Diego, California. On November 10, three were launched in Ohio: in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus.
# # #
The Cincinnati Coalition of Reason ( www.CinCoR.org ) is a group of like-minded member organizations from the greater Cincinnati area that advocate science and reason as the most reliable sources of knowledge and truth.
The United Coalition of Reason ( www.unitedcor.org ) exists to raise the visibility and sense of unity among local groups in the community of reason by providing funding and expertise to help them cooperate toward the goal of raising their public profiles.
In any kind of debate, the one that resorts to violence or threats of violence is always perceived as wrong. People know that such tactics are the last resort of someone who doesn’t have a leg to stand on.
I suppose we shouldn’t expect much when their own god uses such tactics on a regular basis, saying “don’t do this or that and you must do this or that or you’ll be tortured for all eternity.” How could threats of violence be wrong if their own god uses such threats as such a vital point of his doctrine?
As I pointed out before, they don’t have a leg to stand on and neither does their god. Threats of violence are a sign that you’re childish and unable to postulate an appropriate and reasonable objection. It highlights their ignorance and hatred.
And so, The United Coalition of Reason have NO IDEA who the leasor of the land is on which they put their sign, but every passerby who has a threat to make knows EXACTLY where do go. I call bull.
@tinker
Never underestimate the person motivated by hate, they’ll do anything they can to get what they want. On the other hand there was nothing to be gained by the Cincinnati Coalition of Reason by contacting the land owner. The fact of the matter is they wouldn’t want to put that person in danger for any reason. If threats are being made against them, then the right thing to do is to move. If the land owner had decided that the message was worth putting up a fight, they would have done so. Instead, they contacted the advertising company and requested they remove the sign. The sign was moved to a location owned by the advertising company, which was willing to take the risks involved in doing so. There’s nothing wrong with complying with the will of a property owner concerning how their own property should be managed. The property owner was not the bigot here, there was no reason to fight their decision.
What makes you think “every passerby” had this information? Looks like you are assuming something not in evidence just to make a point.
Bigsam … it’s called hyperbole for effect. Does this not bother you?:
“We weren’t given the landowner’s name or precise details,” reported Fred Edwords, national director of the United Coalition of Reason. “Nor did we pursue them.”
What bothers me, is that you’re going out of your way to assume they made the whole thing up for publicity. There’s a distinct track record where theists make death threats. Just look up the hate mail @ the FSM website, for 1. Vandalizing prior similar billboards.
Religion just doesn’t bring out the best in people. It rarely does.
It’s a public company, anyone can find out using Google &/or a phone book.
Really, what’s your issue?
The advertising company said that the land owner was threatened and that is why the billboard came down. I don’t really see why you are being so skeptical about this. Obviously it would be better to get an interview with the land owner, but he likely didn’t want to be interviewed to draw more attention to himself and the journalist probably didn’t want to put any more focus on the owner. If you don’t want to belive it, then don’t. But your doubts are unreasonable.
It’s funny that you write “IF threats are being made …”. That’s my whole point. Fred Edwords says they were not given the landowners name OR precise details. So, I am curious to know what threats were made before jumping on the bigotry band wagon.
And you asked what was there to gain? Um, Shawn Jeffers told you in the article above: “Everything that has happened shows just how vital our message is,” Jeffers said. “It proves our point, that bigotry against people who don’t believe in a god is still very real in America. Only when we atheists, agnostics and humanists come together and go public about our views will people have a chance to learn that we too are part of the community and deserve respect.”
Given the content of the sign, it’s a reasonable conclusion that some faitheists decided to threaten the leaser. After all, bus drivers have refused to drive their buses over this sort of message, other like billboards have been vandalized, & as a rule, religionists aren’t renowned for being open-minded. I could trot out over a million other examples that would lead to that simple deduction.
Who else could be culpable? Jainists are too laid-back: Wiccans are too busy pouring over tea leaves & jumping over bonfires; it could be christians or muslims, I suppose.
The threats themselves might lend a clue, it’s true. But I’d bet the rent it was monotheists.
Your “reasonable conclusion” = still going on assumption.
Who else could’ve it been then? Or do you suspect the UCR made the whole thing up?
Atleast Lamar stood by their contract, I was refused a bill board because of content, and an Atheist groups bill board was removed after complaints by another company.
Nigga’, please.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/11/13/Donnie_McClurkin_Picks_On_Gay_Youths/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hcRHrTpYh8
OT
Israel and the holocaust
http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/02/what-does-holocaust-denial-really-mean/
A report to police would be proper response and press charges put the perp’s name in the media.The best way to prevent threats is if it is known that you will respond fast and hard.
I also encourage gun ownership,bad guys prey on weak and those they think are vulnerable not people they think will kill them like a bug.
That’s sad, you would think religious people would be peaceful and nonthreatening, and just turn the other cheek.
LOL have you by any chance read up on the histories of the (religous people) They have been killing since the begining of GodHood beliefs. Jehovah was ordering or committing mass murder and genocide long before he climbed into his caccoon and transformed into the Jesus butterfly.
There are only four religious types in history that I have any respect for, Budda, Jesus (public teachings only)Malcom X and Gandi. Malcom X before going Mecha would not have made the list, but after going to Mecha he actually grew into a decent man of God.
It’s the AFA – that’s no shock. They’re a bunch of wackjobs.
I’m a Christian and I think that it is sad to hear this situation if it is true. I think we live in a country where people have the freedom to believe what they want and to be treated with respect and equality without being threatened for their beliefs. I think if a billboard is not vulgar or sexually offensive, then let its message ring out and let people decide what they will do with the content. On that same note, I think that people complain that a billboard was removed from the side of the highway, but what about what is being taught in schools? Does creationism or intelligent design receive the respect and equality that it deserves as an alternative understanding of the origin of species? Science has so quickly ruled creationism and intelligent design out as a viable option. Just as people should be allowed to see a billboard for God and a billboard against God and make their own decision, so should students be allowed to reasonably consider other options either than Darwinism as “scientific fact.” I understand your frustration, trust me, I do. But one billboard compares little to the many threats, lawsuits, and agendas against Christianity and their desire to have creationism or intelligent design taught as a option against evolution in the school system.
No it doesn’t, & it shouldn’t. It’s not science, & democracy is for the polls, not the classroom. Nobody votes curriculum into the schools.
Yeah, nice try @ a plea for “understanding”. “Darwinism” AKA evolution IS scientific fact, sans the quotes. Students can debate the ‘either/or’ noise in a philosophy classroom maybe, but evolution is the backbone of biology.
That’s a complete non sequitor. You can’t compare folks leasing a billboard to inserting a non-science being inserted into school curricula.
Also, science isn’t a democracy.
ID doesn’t have any proof – it’s got nothing to show for millions of $ of research.
So your little plea for fairness is ridiculous.
Darwinism is as flawed of a theory as any other. People are so quick to write off ID as invalid and non-scientific but how ridiculous is it to believe that all our organs, functions, cognitive rationale, and every other intricate aspect of our lives evolved from a micro-organism. You suggest that “Darwinism AKA evolution” is scientific fact, but it is nothing more than a bunch of theories which people claim as fact with very little support or rationale. It has taken its prominence because of peoples’ desire to rule God out of the equation rather than its evidence as scientific fact. It is a product of rebellion from God and natural theology. Honestly, does it suffice one to say that we are no more than just evolutionized microorganisms? How does natural selection account for the multiple arrays of species, the complexity of the eye, or the lack of transitional fossils? Evidence shows at the very most some signs of micro-evolution, but to believe in macro-evolution takes as much if even more faith than to believe that we are a unique creation with a Creator. Also, how does a natural selection theory of evolution account for continued sickness and things such as birth defects? You may suggest that ID is not a scientific fact, but neither is Darwinism and both require one to draw upon conclusions which cannot be scientifically proven but must be trusted by faith.
Show your work.
Somebody waving a magical wand is just so much more…believable? It’s magic, is that what you’re saying?
I’m betting you don’t know the definition of ‘theory’. Go look it up.
That’s your theory, definition #6, ‘wild conjecture’. No, there’s mountains of evidence. That’s why it’s taken prominence.
Honestly, why does that bother you? Why is the supernatural more appealing?
Wow, another uninformed commenter. What a shock (rolls eyes)!
Natural selection actually does account for the wide & wild diversity of species. The human eye is horribly ‘designed’. There’s millions of transitional fossils. Really, try actually doing some homework before you mouth off.
Another kewpie doll! Oh wait…not a winner. A swing & a miss! Micro- & Macro-evolution are…drum roll please…same damn thing. Go look it up (hint: don’t go to creationist websites – they’re packed w/lies).
Actually, it accounts for them quite well. In fact, I’d say that it says very poorly for this deity of yours, that it allows them.
Really, I’m not going to be polite about this. Because in fact, courtesy is interpreted by folks like you as though you actually have an intellectual leg to stand on, & you don’t.
Evolution has been proven countless times. It predicts, it can be replicated in a lab, it’s a science that spans multiple & diverse fields from molecular biology to geology. Evolution is the backbone of biology: w/o it, there’d be no modern medicine, no vaccines, & it’s used extensively in animal husbandry & crops.
Insects evolve resistance to poison. Birds adapt to their surroundings. Natural selection compounds simplicity, & becomes complex.
There’s always, I repeat, always, a logical, rational, non-supernatural explanation for everything.
& none of your sophistic little arguments will change that.
would you have YOUR child learn the ancient Babylonian myth that Enki masturbated the world into existence? or perhaps have them learn the Egyptian story of Horus (you know it. the one that your bible rips off and calls the story of jesus… plagiarists)
we can leave science class to confirmed facts, and provable theories.
I mean if you can get something into science class that has no PROOF then I could just as easily argue that the pink teapot orbiting mars is responsible for sunspots, and then if I can get everybody I know to help me vote it in, we can force YOUR KID to take that under consideration as an alternate theory.
your kind of people (ignorant and willingly so) really make my blood boil.
what if, when it was discovered that the world is round we decided that we would take a vote to see if everyone agreed… or that the earth is not only NOT the center of the universe but isn’t even the center of the solar system… i vote for 240bc! flat and central! that’s how i like thinking of my world!
really read your bible and put it into modern words… see if it sounds divine then or if it sounds primitive and petty. go ahead, i’ll wait.
@mike
exactly what i was talking about. you say it doesn’t hold up, you say “how ridiculous is it to believe that all our organs, functions, cognitive rationale, and every other intricate aspect of our lives evolved from a micro-organism?” but that’s your lack of understanding. every single question about your evolution can be answered if you stop looking at a bronze age manuscript and pick up an up to date science book.
i would ask you if you believe in DNA or if you think that’s bunk, but it’s clear you don’t. evolutionary biology is the foundation for decoding DNA… you know that stuff you put no faith in. don’t worry about chemo, ’cause god only gives cancer to deserving people like little kids.
fuck you.
@mouse
Thank you for your responses! I have read my Bible and I have put it into modern words. When you understand and read the Bible in context, it speaks across all generations, cultures, and people. As for my children, when I do have them, I plan to teach them the God of the Bible and they will learn of His love for all people and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection. My children will go to school and I will allow them to learn and think critically, but I must disagree with you that just because Darwinism has made its way into the educational system does not make it a fact, it is still theory. I believe that God is over science and we have scientific knowledge which he has revealed to us, but I don’t believe that evolution falls into the realm of scientific fact (I’ll leave it at that as not to boil anymore of your blood). As for sickness, we live in a fallen world and we cannot always explain why God allows things to happen. We just know that He is sovereign and in control. I trust in the medical advances that God has given us and I believe He heals through modern medicine. As for anything else, I’m glad we shared our views. I hope you find what you are looking for in your beliefs on life and I’m saddened that you have the resentment towards me that you do as remarked in your final comments and I only hope that you consider my arguments as I have yours. Have a blessed evening!
To mike508
Mike the problem with the theory of Creation is that Christians do not want the theory of Creation to be taught they want the theory of Christian Creationism to be taught. The story of Genesis is a crock of (well you know). Genesis cannot even agree on when man or man and women was created. And that whole (the earth is only 7000 years old) crock is well you know a crock.
Every religious belief out there has a creation story, do you advocate the American Indian creation myth or the Indian creation myths or the dozens of other creation myths. Or do you only support the Christian Creation myth. Do I believe that God or Gods created everything yep. But I believe that creation has occurred as science has determined it to have been.
Sorry Mike the Bible is full of contradictions and inconsistencies it cannot be relied upon as being accurate or valid. While God or Gods may have created everything there is no evidence what so ever exist to support that belief. Science has pretty well answered the sequence of evolution in regards to reality, beliefs that exist outside of Science are just fantasy.
When I was brought into the Faith I was first brought into Christianity it was not until I read the bible and listened to Christian Leaders that I decided that the God who had brought me into the Faith had nothing to do with the Christian Bible or God. The Bible was not written by a divine being, there is no way that the Christian or Jewish Bibles could represent the precepts of a divine being.
I have read the Christian Bible in context and with the assistance of my God, and the Christian Bible does not represent any divine guidance. While I agree that the public teachings of Jesus before the Jews are valid and good, everything else in the Bible needs to be thrown out with the trash. Or used as an emergency supply of toilet paper, for that is all it is good for.
Christian Beliefs are only valid when they are upheld as being individual and personal when Christian zealots uphold their beliefs as being universal and enforceable they are invalid and evil. The theory of Creation is one of those zealot beliefs. It is evil and un divine by its very nature.