American Atheists Holiday 'Myth' Billboards To Go Up In New Jersey, Ohio, Florida (VIDEO)
American Atheists are planning to put up more holiday "Myth" billboards this year.
Last year, the atheist organization's "Myth" campaign featured billboards with phrases such as: "You Know It's A Myth. This Season, Celebrate Reason," the Christian Post reports.
But this year, the group's planning to erect signs featuring images of Santa, Jesus, Poseidon and the devil next to the message: "37 Million Americans know MYTHS when they see them."
Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, told Opposing Views that he hopes the group's new signs are "equally thought-provoking and spark plenty of conversations nationally."
But one pastor told the Christian Post the new sign shows "ignorance."
"Only the most dense and simple-minded person would put [Jesus] in the same category as the other three. Clearly, even those who lack a personal commitment to Jesus recognize that there was in fact some historical figure by this name -- religious leader and teacher -- around 2,000 years ago."
The controversial signs are scheduled to go up in Ohio, New Jersey and Florida.
Despite the negative attention the billboards receive, American Atheists Communications Director Blair Scott said the signs aren't meant to offend people, but that he understands why it happens.
"When you question someone's long-held beliefs and doctrine they are going to be immediately offended and be on the defensive: it's a known psychological phenomenon," he told Opposing Views.
Additional signs advertising the American Atheists Regional Convention will be put up in parts of Florida. The convention is set to take place in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 17 and 18, the Broward Palm Beach New Times reports.
One sign will feature the phrase "2 Million Floridians don't believe in gods," according to the New Times.
But atheists aren't the only group looking make their mark on the holidays.
In what the Washington Post defines as the "war over Christmas," several groups including humanists and Christians have launched their own movements to reclaim the season.
Last year, the American Humanist Association placed signs featuring scripture passages depicting a "violent" God against passages that depict a kind one, the Post points out. While the Liberty Counsel, a Christian group, moved forward with its "Return Christ to Christmas" campaign.
Correction: The American Humanist Association campaign mentioned in the story took place in 2010, not this year.
Loading comments… 
First Posted: 11/15/11 04:42 PM ET Updated: 11/15/11 05:21 PM ET