Vandals deface one of Roanoke area’s ‘Godless’ billboards
Photo by Justin True | Crop and spray paint added by Dan
Your daily Letter to the Columnist — Dec. 21, 2012
Note from Dan: Justin True says the entire sign was torn down Thursday night.
Vandals used spray paint to deface one of the four Blue Ridge Coalition of Reason billboards in the Roanoke area. The billboard on Virginia Route 419 at 1420 Lynchburg Turnpike, in Salem, facing east, originally read, “Don’t believe in God? Join the club.” But the word “Don’t” has been blacked out.
This billboard, along with the other three, was placed by the Blue Ridge Coalition of Reason (Blue Ridge CoR) with $3,500.00 in funding from the United Coalition of Reason (UnitedCoR), headquartered in Washington, D.C. The ad has only been up since Tuesday and was first announced Wednesday morning.
“This unfortunate incident shows just how necessary our message is. Prejudice against people who don’t believe in a god remains very real in America,” said Paul Hoyt, coordinator of Blue Ridge CoR.
United CoR has informed the billboard owner, Lamar Outdoor, of the vandalism and is arranging to have the billboard replaced. But it is leaving it to the discretion of Lamar to file a police report.
“If necessary, we will pay the cost of printing up new vinyl and have this billboard’s original message bright and clear in short order,” said Fred Edwords, national director of UnitedCoR. “Freedom of speech is worthy of everyone’s defense. For it is only when people with minority opinions are able to safely go public about their views that people of all opinions can feel secure in their rights.”
On its website, the Blue Ridge Coalition of Reason declares its purpose as “a joint outreach effort” to help the public connect with “local freethought, humanist, atheist, agnostic, rationalist” and other such groups. It is also to provide interested people “with information and a sense of community.” The coalition was officially launched December 19 when the billboards were announced.
“Now we are more committed than ever to the goal of making our presence known,” Hoyt added. “We hope this vandalism will inspire more nontheistic people in Virginia to understand how necessary it is to get organized. Only by working together will we end bigotry against philosophical and religious minorities.”
The Blue Ridge Coalition of Reason is a resource for freethinking people, with the goal of uniting the various non-theistic groups throughout the greater Roanoke and Blue Ridge area.
The United Coalition of Reason 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 common goals.
Paul Hoyt
Coordinator
Blue Ridge Coalition of Reason
www.BlueRidgeCoR.org
Fred Edwords
National Director
United Coalition of Reason
www.UnitedCoR.org
December 21, 2012 - 1:30 PM
“Vandals deface one of Roanoke area’s ‘Godless’ billboards”
That was not a very “Christian” thing to do.
Although I do not agree with their message, thankfully they have the right to express their opinion that is what makes our country truly free.
I love the repaired sign. I would have used white paint though…
This should be considered a hate crime, had a church been spray painted law enforcement would be all over it. Just goes to show so called “righteous” people are some of the ones with the most hate in their hearts. I’ve got a question for all the religious nuts. Would Jesus spray paint a sign? After seeing this I’m even more proud to NOT BELIEVE in the sky fairy.
I don’t see as much a message there as an attempt to reach out to likeminded but maybe reticent people around. Of all the groups in the world…muslim, gay, atheist, treehuggers…the only group that has actively showed up on my doorstep looking to convert me has been different flavors of Christians.
When vandalism and suppression of rights we supposedly cherish is applauded, we have crossed a big line. This just makes me sad.
The Founding Fathers intentionally left religion out of the Constitution except to specifically provide for freedom of and from religion. If we, as a country, ever hope to create a change to tolerance and peace, the use of divisive religiosity seems not to be a successful tactic. Slowly but surely Christianity and the Bible have been turned into an agenda that happens to support the right wing tenets, not the teachings of Christ. The fanatical Christian right has actually taken the Christ out of Christianity and turned it into a hateful bigoted shadow of the original concept.
The Founding Fathers understood the dangers of mixing religion and government when they wrote the Constitution – knowing this to be toxic and dangerous to liberty – a system they and their forefathers lived under and fled to be “free” of the constraints of a government-endorsed-religion.
It appears freedom of religion is important to those shouting the loudest about “religious liberty”, but only when it comes to THEIR religion, and no others.
On a more personal note, although I was raised Catholic, I have a hard time with any religion that lets people starve while dressing their “leaders” in gold vestments surrounded by millions in artworks, and drinking from a jewel-encrusted cup.
Prejudice against people who do believe in God is also very real and present in our society, hence, God is gone from Schools, nativities are no longer present on public place,etc., etc., but Don’t Believe signs can be erected on billboards. Sodom and Gomorrah lives on and with the protection of the non-believers we shouldn’t have to worry to much longer, we’re all going to go to hell in an hand basket. In the meantime, although I’m not a Bible thumper or active religous zealot, I will continue to believe in God, to paraphase Gen. George Patton, every goddamned Day.
Hmm. This sign is firmly located in obama territory. I guess Dan tipped them off.
I find comments about prejudice and persecution of Christians to be wholly made up – much like the fake war on Christmas. Religion does not belong in public schools.
Anyone wanting religion to be taught in the classroom should send their children to parochial school. Unless ALL religions can come into public schools and hang their religious documents upon a wall, then no one religion should have that right. Unless ALL religions can have a prayer at town hall meetings, including praising Allah, no one religion should have their prayer take priority.
Teach your children their religion at home – take them to church on Sundays – model your religious beliefs for them to see – believe in any god or religion you choose, but don’t push you beliefs on the rest of us – publicly or otherwise.
Liniel, none of your comparisons work. When the Jesus folk aren’t allowed to pay for their own billboard (I assure you, they are…there are exploitative and offensive anti-choice billboards all over the place), then maybe you’ll have a point. Public space, taypayer owner space, in the meantime will remain uncluttered with displays of ANY groups beliefs.
Liniel Gregory, as a friend of mine posted on Facebook this week, God is not gone from her children’s schools. He lives in their hearts. It is the job of public school teachers to educate our children, it is not their job to give them religious training. That is their parents job.
The separation of church and state exists for a reason. The gov’t has no business being involved in religion. Nativity scenes still exist on church grounds and private property. I am a Christian and I strongly support the separation of church and state.
Why should Blue Ridge COR pay to replace the vinyl? Doesn’t Lamar Outdoor ensure the billboard is up as designed for the period the client paid for?
I bet that billboard has not generated ONE call or membership to this group. Destruction of private property is bad and uncalled for, but in SWVA this group should have expected this situation. I wonder if atheists give Christmas gifts?
William Bova, RE: December 21, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
“I bet that billboard has not generated ONE call or membership to this group”
Wrong, Southern Virginia Atheists has been noticing a huge push in membership! The signs are serving their purpose and bringing lots of moral and open-minded folks out to show support for our lifestyle, and I am sure it will continue regardless how long the signs stay up.
“Destruction of private property is bad and uncalled for, but in SWVA this group should have expected this situation.”
So… here we go blaming the victim again. I guess women should expect to be raped, and business owners robbed and murdered right?
” I wonder if atheists give Christmas gifts?”
Of course we do! Why should we not celebrate a holiday that Christians stole from the pagans and have been pushing it as their own for the past 2 centuries? So, tell me, are the kind of person who thinks, “Christ” was Jesus of Nazareth’s last name, and his birthday was in fact December 25th? Right…
I wonder if atheists give Christmas gifts?
Leftwingers steal elections and lie about candidates. Why wouldn’t they put up a billboard, then vandalize it? They know the Dan Caseys of the world will jump on it.
So what’s your point William Bova? I rarely respond to billboards of any kind. That doesn’t mean they’re open to destruction. It’s groups like Justin’s that are going to drag this area kicking and screaming into the 20th century.
Right on Sister Hillary! Thank you for speaking so well for the truth.
“I am a Christian and I strongly support the separation of church and state.” Right on Sister Debbie! +1
In this country, the so-called persecution of Christians pales in comparison to the persecution by Christians. That remains a fact.
As a Christian, I apologize for this senseless violation of your right to express your opinion.
As my friend VVarlock showed me on more than one occasion, Atheists often know the Bible and biblical history 100 times more in depth and in detail than your average Christian. I explained that to my Sunday School class one Sunday and told them to engage one and find out.
William Bova I’ll answer your question, I’m an atheist and I do not give Christmas gifts. I do celebrate the holiday but not as the birthday of the magical sky fairy, I simply celebrate it as a family gathering and celebration of love for my family. And I’m much happier than a lot of so called Christians, I will say Christmas is rough for me since I’m the only one in my family that doesn’t believe in said sky fairy.
The founders never called for separation of God and state or prayer and state. George Washington, in fact, said one couldn’t be a good American if he didn’t believe in religion or morality.
This separation is a bunch of recent crap fomented by the communists:
Goal #28: “Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”
It’s uncanny, isn’t it? All this garbage you leftwingers thought had been around forever, I can find one of the 45 Communist Goals for America that calls for it.
Very similar to the popular leftwing talking points on abortion all starting in 1996 at a George Carlin performance.
Does it make you folks feel like dupes? It should.
Slowly but surely Christianity and the Bible have been turned into an agenda that happens to support the right wing tenets, not the teachings of Christ.
That might be because Christianity has a lot more in common with the right than the left. At Fatima, recall Mary spoke out against the far left “errors” of Russia and their spreading.
Kristen, So what’s your point William Bova? I rarely respond to billboards of any kind. That doesn’t mean they’re open to destruction. It’s groups like Justin’s that are going to drag this area kicking and screaming into the 20th century.
Comment by Kristen — December 21, 2012 @ 5:10 pm
Preach it, Sister Kristen! Real tolerance will drive out the intolerant, and irrational American past.
Ms. Saunders, No need to apologize. But we accept it with open arms, eyes, and mind! I hope that one day we could sit and have a discussion about religion and its effect on today’s society. Anyone up for meeting and having a great discussion?
I, along with others in the Atheist community really appreciate your love and support. We appreciate your respect, and trust me, we pay it forward tenfold!
I see the resident Joe McCarthy is back to the commie meme…one under every bed I guess…this is soooooo 1950ish.
The leaders of the religious right have never been remotely Christ-like in action, seeking only to wield the Bible as a manipulative weapon against those who disagree or disbelieve.
The christian-right claims gays “victimize” the institution of marriage, and are an affront to their religious beliefs; the doctrine of separation of church and state “victimizes” their profession of faith – many christians have come to believe they are an oppressed minority.
The christian-right mistakenly believes it is their responsibility to regulate behavior they deem immoral, via political or public policies promulgated by the republican right – example like school prayer, abortion, censorship, birth control and the gay community. Their punitive enforcement, irrational and ferocious dogmatism, along with their misplaced convictions, makes it unlikely anyone could ever change their minds with evidence or logic.
If you must have religion to make you “a good person”, then you had no morals or ethics in the first place…
I bet the BlueRidge CoR gets a ton of business. I didn’t know there was an active group on the region, but I am glad to see it.
Amazingly Beamer and the K-Guard billboard above was untouched.He’s been under more scruitiny than the vandals and CoR this year!
As for defaming the sign, poor taste by a bunch of hoodlems.
Atheists are free to celebrate Christmas in their own manner or style
and pronounce accordingly.CoR’s freedom of speech temporarily intruded upon.
I see the resident Joe McCarthy is back to the commie meme…one under every bed I guess…this is soooooo 1950ish.
It’s not my fault nearly every leftwing cause celebre had its origins in the 45 Communist Goals for America.
Ms. Saunders, No need to apologize. But we accept it with open arms, eyes, and mind! I hope that one day we could sit and have a discussion about religion and its effect on today’s society. Anyone up for meeting and having a great discussion?
Justin,
I wish I could think of an atheist government regime that had a positive effect on its country. The Communists and socialists have nothing but a long string of failures. Right now, the godless socialists are calling the shots in this country, trashing everything that had made us the best in the world. We are clearly and obviously a nation in decline.
Hey Suzie, the Grandin area Gas Station and Surf and Turf hear ya loud and clear!Believe they are closing soon.Must have been blamed on the burgeoning economy or perhaps too many misinformed citizens.
“Hmm. This sign is firmly located in obama territory. I guess Dan tipped them off.”
The sign is in Salem. Yeah, that’s major Obama territory.
“Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools”
Well, they’ve failed at that “goal.”
“At Fatima, recall Mary spoke out…”
suzie, honey you need some serious help with those delusions
Well, I appreciate everyone answering my questions, apparently the billboards do get some folks to contact this group, and some atheists give Christmas gifts, some do not. I myself will stick with Jesus, y’all go in whatever direction you feel called to go in, I hope it is a good one that fills your souls with happiness and joy!
God Bless and Merry Christmas!!!
Billy Bova, my old pal, the same to you!
Dan, hope you and Donna and the kids, which are not so young anymore since I am so old anymore, have a great Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Keep writing the good stuff brother, I will try not to start any battles…… NOT
Mike3, we know why both of those are closing and it’s NOT the economy.
Suzie, if you’re so convinced that separation of church and state is a commie plot, perhaps you should read some of Jefferson and Madison’s correspondence with each other, with the Danbury Baptists, and with the Muslims. Perhaps you should also hop off The Blaze for a bit.
The sign is in Salem. Yeah, that’s major Obama territory.
Yep. Right down the street are the Landsdowne projects. I’ll bet they went over 100% obama.
“Yep. Right down the street are the Landsdowne projects.”
The sign is in Salem. Lansdowne (note the correct spelling) is in Roanoke. At least a mile away.
#6…Sandi….What doesn`t make you mad ?
Re: Post #20
“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
― George Washington
“As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
― George Washington
George Washington was a Communist.
Defacing the billboard is actually quite valuable because it reminds all the drivers passing by about the true colors of most religious people, plus it keeps the story on top of the news. CoR should be thanking you Christianazis for 10 times the coverage. Smirk.
“Sandi….What doesn`t make you mad ?”
She said sad, not mad. You might want to read more carefully.
I’ll tell you what wouldn’t make ME mad — a post from you that makes some sort of sense.
Dave Gresham,
I like the fact that we can get some type of support and outrage by most as far as the vandals go. I was on WDBJ7′s blog, and many people were supporting this criminal act. As upset as I am about it, I could never bring myself to do the same towards a religion. To be honest, I don’t know any non-theist that would.
The cowards that did that to the sign will hide and lurk in the shadows, but people like myself, you, Brad Emery, putting ourselves and our names out there, putting a face with an idea, a thought, a push for equality; it will always and forever defeat the irrational acts of a few xenophobic criminals.
I do NOT hold any resentment towards the religious community for these acts. I go to churches, I am around many people of all faiths in the communities here in Roanoke. I am always well accepted by all walks… well except for the ones who feel by talking to me, or acknowledging me, they are risking going to hell. But, all in all, its great to be a well rounded, well read, and well spoken Atheist.
Funny how the resident Joe McCarthy self identified in post 27, while I never mentioned a specific post nor a specific poster in my comment @ 24…
he sign is in Salem. Lansdowne (note the correct spelling) is in Roanoke. At least a mile away.
East Salem is Democrat. Sorry.
well I see censorship is alive and well on this blog after my comment was removed because i hit a nerve?!?! IT looks like some christians are not being christ like…as usual.Freedom of religion is guaranteed unless it’s anything OTHER than the worship of christ.We shall see how long it takes until this post is deleted.
LOL Contra, clearly George Washington was a Communist!
Suzie kindly demonstrates the kind of thing that happens when you rely on crackpots like McCarthy and W. Cleon Skousen to define what a Communist is or believes. Hell, I heard those nasty Communists actually believed in a free education for all children in public schools! Can you even imagine?
I shudder to think where we would all be without the guidance of right wing zealots. But I have to ask, why would Communists be against anything that was a “separation” of anything and the state? If the state is the be all and end all, which is what I believe I was taught about Communism, they would embrace religious doctrine that kept people in line and be sponsoring the very same from the state. Is there some other kind of Communism now?
p.jenkins,
We appreciate your thoughts on the subject. I completely agree with you on the fact that Christians, well not all Christians, but most selfish Christians feel as if Freedom of Religion only applies to them, all others must keep their mouth shut, and if you do open your mouth, you are harassed or shunned by your fellow neighbors. That is why I started Southern Virginia Atheists. To give us a voice, and a voice with power. Richard Dawkins said, “Getting Atheists together is like herding cats”. And I agree. Most of us are so used to being alone, and marching to the beat of our own drum, when it comes time to stand together and make a stand, its difficult. I will be here fighting for our civil rights, freedom of speech, and Freedom FROM Religion until mission accomplished, or I no longer breathe in this evolved body of mine.
I will say this though, I have been posting here for a few months now, and Dan Casey, has been very fair towards my posts. At times I have been rather harsh with my tenacious comments towards the religious fanatics here, but never have one of my posts been removed. I do not think Dan would have removed it simply because he did not agree with it. He may have removed it for hate speech or foul language… I do not hold the recipe for a good or bad post; just speaking form my experiences.
Suzie kindly demonstrates the kind of thing that happens when you rely on crackpots like McCarthy and W. Cleon Skousen to define what a Communist is or believes.
Which of the 45 goals do the Communists disagree with, hon? The funny thing is these goals were articulated more than 50 years ago, before anybody was ever talking about “gay rights”, government taking over schools, and abortion on demand.
—–
If the state is the be all and end all, which is what I believe I was taught about Communism, they would embrace religious doctrine that kept people in line and be sponsoring the very same from the state. Is there some other kind of Communism now?
I can’t imagine a Christian saying such a thing. Christianity and Communism are 100% antithetical. Christianity focuses on the individual, the sanctity of life, personal generosity, freedom and kindness. Communism imprisons, impoverishes, and destroys.
Defacing the billboard is actually quite valuable because it reminds all the drivers passing by about the true colors of most religious people, plus it keeps the story on top of the news.
I’d bet it was either a kid or an atheist sympathizer trying to generate hatred of Christians.
Comment by Suzie — December 21, 2012 @ 6:09 pm
I’m guessing that U.S. History nor American Government classes weren’t require on your engineering curriculum.
Ron May @8:45
I don’ think they require those at stenographers school either.
“The funny thing is these goals were articulated more than 50 years ago, before anybody was ever talking about “gay rights”, government taking over schools, and abortion on demand.”
Well how ’bout that?! Washington was a Communist before Communism was cool.
“I’d bet it was either a kid or an atheist sympathizer trying to generate hatred of Christians.”
And I bet it was some right-wing religious zealot Salemite. Given your recent track record of predictions and speculation, it’s a sure thing that I’m more likely to be right.
BTW, exactly one Salem precinct went to Obama, and that was by less that a percentage point. That’s not “Democratic,” it’s pretty much split evenly.
If the state is the be all and end all, which is what I believe I was taught about Communism, they would embrace religious doctrine that kept people in line and be sponsoring the very same from the state. Is there some other kind of Communism now?
I can’t imagine a Christian saying such a thing. Christianity and Communism are 100% antithetical. Christianity focuses on the individual, the sanctity of life, personal generosity, freedom and kindness. Communism imprisons, impoverishes, and destroys.
Comment by Suzie — December 22, 2012 @ 7:59 pm
I am thoroughly convinced, Suzie, lives under a rock. It is of my opinion, not all Christians, but most of the fanatical fundies, say some really stupid things.
Judging by Christians in general, Christianity is a selfish and self righteous religion. It makes the presumption that if your omnipotent, omniscient god agrees with the things he supervised you say, do, thought, dreamed, you will go to his heaven. A god that will banish you to his hell for mere thought crime. Suzie, will have us to believe in her lies… she has been hitting the Jesus juice quite a bit as of late.
, exactly one Salem precinct went to Obama, and that was by less that a percentage point. That’s not “Democratic,” it’s pretty much split evenly.
Tell us which precinct that was that went Democrat, Gdad. LOL.
Lansdowne is in Roanoke.
It is of my opinion, not all Christians, but most of the fanatical fundies, say some really stupid things.
What’s a ‘fanatical fundie’, Justin? I’m not a fundamentalist. I’m Catholic. As for being a ‘fanatic’, shouldn’t we all be? If you aren’t going all in, why bother?
“The funny thing is these goals were articulated more than 50 years ago, before anybody was ever talking about “gay rights”, government taking over schools, and abortion on demand.”
History lesson time for Suzie:
“1924
The Society for Human Rights in Chicago becomes the country’s earliest known gay rights organization.”
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0761909.html
“Historical Timeline Of Public Education In The US
Learn more about the history of public schools in the U.S. with this timeline.”
1647
“The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony decrees that every town of fifty families should have an elementary school and that every town of 100 families should have a Latin school. The goal is to ensure that Puritan children learn to read the Bible and receive basic information about their Calvinist religion.”
http://www.arc.org/content/view/100/217/
“Abortion History
A brief history of the abortion controversy in the United States”
“In the United States, abortion laws began to appear in the 1820s, forbidding abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy.”
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/abortionuslegal/a/abortion.htm
Sad really, that one person who spouts off nonsense doesn’t even take a couple of minutes to use google. Is this a sign of carelessness? Or something else?
Suzie, you would like it for all Christians to be fanatical fundies. You are one. By definition I don’t think you are even a Catholic. I think you are a superstitious human with a reality problem.
Sad really, that one person who spouts off nonsense doesn’t even take a couple of minutes to use google. Is this a sign of carelessness? Or something else?
When I said nobody was talking about these issues, I obviously meant nobody in the mainstream. How many newscasts or periodicals were discussing gay marriage, abortion on demand or government takeover of schools during the 1950′s. Most people then probably couldn’t have imagined such radical ideas.
Hey, True…if you don`t beleive in God, thats your business…You WILL answer to him one day. I`ll be the `fly on the wall“… watching.
@63 Mr. Doto, no he won’t and no you won’t.
Sorry but when you die that’s it. You’ll live a richer life if you learn to accept that.
Suzie- Amazing how equality is a ‘radical’ idea. Perhaps you should go back a bit, and read some of Susan B. Anthony or Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s work :/
“Suzie- Amazing how equality is a ‘radical’ idea. Perhaps you should go back a bit, and read some of Susan B. Anthony or Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s work.”
–Comment by Brad Emery
Brad, she believes they were both acolytes of Saul Alinsky!
christ died for you. how can you disrespect him.