American Atheists announced a billboard campaign in Austin and Dallas, Texas, which features four designs with quotes from Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum, and Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress about the place of faith in government and their views on homosexuality. One billboard features former GOP vice presidential nominee Palin and her statement, “We should create law based on the God of the Bible,” and calls upon Americans to “Go godless instead,” with an invitation to attend American Atheists’ 50th Anniversary celebration and national convention March 29-31, in Austin.
Also launched were two billboards, including one in Spanish, which highlight the history of child abuse within the Roman Catholic Church and another which is critical of religion more generally.
“We’re very proud of these billboards,” said American Atheists President Dave Silverman. “Prominent figures in the public sphere continue to make abhorrent statements, all justified by their religion. The time in American history where overt bigotry against atheists is acceptable is finally coming to an end, and good riddance! We invite reasonable people to stand up, come out, and join us in celebrating 50 years of fighting for the separation of church & state and the civil rights of atheists.”
The national convention will include such speakers as former California Congressman Pete Stark, Twisted Sister lead guitarist Jay Jay French, authors A.C. Grayling and Katherine Stewart, popular debater Matt Dillahunty, former pastors-turned-atheists Teresa MacBain and Jerry DeWitt, and American Atheists President David Silverman. The convention will also feature a costume dinner, free concerts, a comedy show, an art show and silent auction, more than 25 national and local vendors and exhibitors, and childcare options for attending families.
