For a second year in a row, American Atheists is posting seasonal billboards. One of the billboards is located on the New Jersey side, upper left, just before entering the Lincoln Tunnel into Manhattan.  The Lincoln Tunnel carries almost 120,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the busiest vehicular tunnels in the world and a prime location for a billboard.

The controversial billboard is the next stage of the "You KNOW it's a MYTH" campaign, which began last year.

This year, they are placing myths on the billboard and asking people what they see? The reason is to encourage people to ask themselves why one god is different from gods they call myths. It's up to them to answer.

According to the American Atheists' website, at www.atheists.org, "there is no effort here to convert theists into atheists, but there IS an attempt to get the church pew atheists to consider what they are doing. If they look at our billboard and see four myths, including Jesus, then why are they going to church and donating money? Why are they going through this ridiculous motion of pretending to believe in a myth, just to please other people?"

"Some atheists don't even know they are atheists, while others are fully aware but remain closeted. This is why we ask all church-goers to consider honestly their theological beliefs this season and ask if and why they are pretending to believe the unbelievable. It is our hope that these atheists will come out of the closet, come clean to their friends and families and start living an honest life of reason and rationality."

"Many atheists celebrate some version of Christmas! There is nothing wrong with gifts, trees, singing and (most of all) family togetherness. None of this requires the pretense of a belief in a god. We believe the season should include honesty -- with oneself and loved ones."

So, take a look at the billboard and ask yourself what you see. Asking that question to the group of people in my car as we came upon the billboard, resulted in some interesting conversation!

Happy Holidays!

Photos by Lulis Leal
November 20, 2011

www.atheists.org