American Atheists Billboards In Brooklyn, Paterson Target Jewish, Muslim Communities

Ahead of the American Atheists National Convention and Reason Rally in DC later this month, the American Atheists are erecting a billboard in Brooklyn Monday, sure to stir up some controversy.

Written in both Hebrew and English the sign proclaims "You know it's a myth, and you have a choice."

Another sign with the same wording, only in Arabic and English, will appear in Paterson, New Jersey.

According to CNN, American Atheists "will unveil the billboards Monday on Broadway in heavily Muslim Paterson, New Jersey and in a heavily Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, immediately after the Williamsburg Bridge."

The billboard will likely draw the ire of orthodox Jews in the Williamsburg neighborhood, largely because it spells out the name of God, a practice forbidden in many conservative Jewish sects.

It will be interesting to see how the signs hold up. Generally atheist bilboards tend to invite vandalism. ANIMAL wonders if it might invite "outright destruction."

Of course, this isn't the first time the American Atheists have proselytized in the New York metropolitan area. Before this last Christmas, a sign appearing near the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey read "You know it's a myth. This season, celebrate reason." The Catholic church responded with a bilboard of their own, reading, "You know it's real. This season, celebrate Jesus."

Another, less religious billboard controversy hit the Bronx in February when Wodka vodka unveiled a sign reading, "Escort quality, hooker prices." The sign was removed after outrage in the Hunts Point community, and shortly thereafter, unveiled on the Bowery downtown.

For more controversial New York signs, check out the slideshow below: