Title: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 03, 2009, 12:25:45 PM
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 03, 2009, 12:25:45 PM
FYI: yesterday, Sunday Nov 1, our organization, Atheists of Florida, placed an atheist billboard in probably the single most religious town in Florida: Lakeland.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.tbo.com%2Fexposure%2Far%2F385%2F255%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2F20242_godlessbillboard.jpg&hash=2397c48863748205028071e6ab82f2c5649ccb93)
Tampa Tribune/Tampa Bay Online (TBO.com) article & reader comments ...
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/02 ... billboard/ (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/02/021442/atheist-group-takes-message-lakeland-billboard/)
News video by Tampa TV station Channel 8 interviewing Rob (president of Atheists of Florida) and some Lakeland residents about the billboard ...
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/c ... ideo-news/ (http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/controversial-atheist-billboards--65160/video-news/)
If you live in the area and want to see the sign, it is located in Lakeland at the corner of Highway 92 (Memorial Blvd) and Martin Luther King Jr Ave.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi56.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg183%2FVietnamvet-BRIGHT%2FBillboardlocation.jpg&hash=da5976c441264b5be65a54c93428292c46689028)
John (VietnamVet-BRIGHT)
Chairman of the Board
http://atheistsofflorida.org/ (http://atheistsofflorida.org/)
.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.tbo.com%2Fexposure%2Far%2F385%2F255%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2F20242_godlessbillboard.jpg&hash=2397c48863748205028071e6ab82f2c5649ccb93)
Tampa Tribune/Tampa Bay Online (TBO.com) article & reader comments ...
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/02 ... billboard/ (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/02/021442/atheist-group-takes-message-lakeland-billboard/)
News video by Tampa TV station Channel 8 interviewing Rob (president of Atheists of Florida) and some Lakeland residents about the billboard ...
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/c ... ideo-news/ (http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/controversial-atheist-billboards--65160/video-news/)
If you live in the area and want to see the sign, it is located in Lakeland at the corner of Highway 92 (Memorial Blvd) and Martin Luther King Jr Ave.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi56.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg183%2FVietnamvet-BRIGHT%2FBillboardlocation.jpg&hash=da5976c441264b5be65a54c93428292c46689028)
John (VietnamVet-BRIGHT)
Chairman of the Board
http://atheistsofflorida.org/ (http://atheistsofflorida.org/)
.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Ultima22689 on November 03, 2009, 01:35:01 PM
Post by: Ultima22689 on November 03, 2009, 01:35:01 PM
Holy Crap! I live in Jacksonville, just moved here not that long ago from Chicago and i've seen just how crazy religion can get since i've been down here and if Jacksonville isn't one of the most religious nut places in the world then Lakeland must be a very scary place. I hope your billboard doesn't get chopped down with an old axe.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Whitney on November 03, 2009, 02:08:26 PM
Post by: Whitney on November 03, 2009, 02:08:26 PM
Cool, I hope they don't climb up there and deface it like they did with some of the NY ads. But the ones in Dallas survived so I think you'll be okay.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: LoneMateria on November 03, 2009, 03:11:13 PM
Post by: LoneMateria on November 03, 2009, 03:11:13 PM
I might contend that Lakeland is the most religious town. I'm in Pensacola in the Panhandle and .... well some people here are absolutely insane. If you put a sign up here I'd give it near 100% chance of being defaced. I'm glad to see some work done in this state. I know craziness wise Florida is pushing toward the top.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Jolly Sapper on November 03, 2009, 03:16:05 PM
Post by: Jolly Sapper on November 03, 2009, 03:16:05 PM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 03, 2009, 03:19:43 PM
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 03, 2009, 03:19:43 PM
Just edited the OP to include a news vid about the billboard ...
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/c ... ideo-news/ (http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/controversial-atheist-billboards--65160/video-news/)
.
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/c ... ideo-news/ (http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/controversial-atheist-billboards--65160/video-news/)
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Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: jrosebud on November 04, 2009, 02:43:31 AM
Post by: jrosebud on November 04, 2009, 02:43:31 AM
I really like the message you chose. 
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Ellainix on November 04, 2009, 05:25:55 AM
Post by: Ellainix on November 04, 2009, 05:25:55 AM
Quote from: "VietnamVet-BRIGHT"http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/nov/02/controversial-atheist-billboards--65160/video-news/
QuoteWe got too many stupid people, that's stupid, that's very stupid, that don't even make no sense, [they] don't believe in God.
This guy is hilarious, I'd hate to meet him in real life!
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: karadan on November 04, 2009, 08:08:53 AM
Post by: karadan on November 04, 2009, 08:08:53 AM
This is awesome. Good job!
I find it strange how freedom of speech goes out the window as soon as it comes to speaking out against religion. I've always found that sort of hypocrisy baffling. The people interviewed all seemed very scary.
(edit) I've just read a lot of the comments on that news article.... :verysad:
I'm currently face-palming at work.
I find it strange how freedom of speech goes out the window as soon as it comes to speaking out against religion. I've always found that sort of hypocrisy baffling. The people interviewed all seemed very scary.
(edit) I've just read a lot of the comments on that news article.... :verysad:
I'm currently face-palming at work.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Kylyssa on November 04, 2009, 04:20:05 PM
Post by: Kylyssa on November 04, 2009, 04:20:05 PM
For some reason, this comment annoys me more than some others:
I think it bugs me because this person is thinking that the worst things atheists face from Christians in America are some Christmas displays and Easter bunnies.
QuoteAmerica is still a majority Christian nation, so the outward signs of Christmas and Easter should not be anymore offensive to non-believers, than Halloween.
I think it bugs me because this person is thinking that the worst things atheists face from Christians in America are some Christmas displays and Easter bunnies.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 05, 2009, 03:13:35 AM
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 05, 2009, 03:13:35 AM
More news stations are picking up on this story ...
Tampa's ABC Ch 28 ... article and video ... http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local ... ZODYA.cspx (http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Billboard-supporting-Atheism-upsets-some-Lakeland/_mpBHsRgpE2-fpXHhZODYA.cspx)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwfts.img.entriq.net%2Fimg%2Fdp_thumbs%2Fthumb_1257384181759_0p12722835305474306.jpg&hash=8b8972b29b460d2193d4f1ed4d3168f393124147)
This one shows someone vaguely identified as a pastor with a megaphone screaming to take the sign down and our Atheists of Florida president's great response to the request.
.
Tampa's ABC Ch 28 ... article and video ... http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local ... ZODYA.cspx (http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Billboard-supporting-Atheism-upsets-some-Lakeland/_mpBHsRgpE2-fpXHhZODYA.cspx)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwfts.img.entriq.net%2Fimg%2Fdp_thumbs%2Fthumb_1257384181759_0p12722835305474306.jpg&hash=8b8972b29b460d2193d4f1ed4d3168f393124147)
This one shows someone vaguely identified as a pastor with a megaphone screaming to take the sign down and our Atheists of Florida president's great response to the request.
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Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Whitney on November 05, 2009, 03:29:44 AM
Post by: Whitney on November 05, 2009, 03:29:44 AM
Quote from: "VietnamVet-BRIGHT"This one shows someone vaguely identified as a pastor with a megaphone screaming to take the sign down and our Atheists of Florida president's great response to the request.
.
LOL, and they say Texas is nutty.....we didn't have anyone protest our signs like that; a local minister just said he was glad they were up because it made people think about god and thinking about god would make them believe. Even Fox news couldn't find anyone as crazy as your protestor to stick on the news.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 05, 2009, 12:07:44 PM
Post by: VietnamVet-BRIGHT on November 05, 2009, 12:07:44 PM
Quote from: "Whitney"Quote from: "VietnamVet-BRIGHT"This one shows someone vaguely identified as a pastor with a megaphone screaming to take the sign down and our Atheists of Florida president's great response to the request.
.
LOL, and they say Texas is nutty.....we didn't have anyone protest our signs like that; a local minister just said he was glad they were up because it made people think about god and thinking about god would make them believe. Even Fox news couldn't find anyone as crazy as your protestor to stick on the news.
Yep, welcome to fundy, wacky Lakeland, Florida.
And here's more of how wacked out this town is ... just got this in my email: an interesting pic taken by one of our A of F members ...
QuoteFor those who can't make the trip, here's a shot of the location - note the funeral home's slogan, couldn't be better positioning!
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi56.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg183%2FVietnamvet-BRIGHT%2FAoFBillboard640x480.jpg&hash=1429b099bec6035cce9e088fc4f118a390dcb895)
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Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Ninteen45 on November 09, 2009, 09:36:09 PM
Post by: Ninteen45 on November 09, 2009, 09:36:09 PM
I can imagine rush hour there!
he he.
QuoteNathaniel Thomas said he respects the group's right to free speech but still wishes the billboard wasn't there. "We've got a lot of churches in this neighborhood, a lot of black churches in this neighborhood, and we don't need that," he said.
he he.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: LoneMateria on November 09, 2009, 10:27:11 PM
Post by: LoneMateria on November 09, 2009, 10:27:11 PM
Quote from: "Ninteen45"I can imagine rush hour there!QuoteNathaniel Thomas said he respects the group's right to free speech but still wishes the billboard wasn't there. "We've got a lot of churches in this neighborhood, a lot of black churches in this neighborhood, and we don't need that," he said.
he he.
Why does he specifically denote black churches?
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: karadan on November 10, 2009, 10:31:46 AM
Post by: karadan on November 10, 2009, 10:31:46 AM
Quote from: "LoneMateria"Quote from: "Ninteen45"I can imagine rush hour there!QuoteNathaniel Thomas said he respects the group's right to free speech but still wishes the billboard wasn't there. "We've got a lot of churches in this neighborhood, a lot of black churches in this neighborhood, and we don't need that," he said.
he he.
Why does he specifically denote black churches?
I wondered that, too.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: aniintheskywithtofu on November 19, 2009, 04:09:30 AM
Post by: aniintheskywithtofu on November 19, 2009, 04:09:30 AM
I live in Kissimmee and saw this on the news. People are really upset about it, yet I pass religious billboards all the time.
hah
hah
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: Forseti on November 19, 2009, 01:11:32 PM
Post by: Forseti on November 19, 2009, 01:11:32 PM
waw, i really really want to put one here, but i'll probably get killed
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: LoneMateria on November 20, 2009, 04:43:24 PM
Post by: LoneMateria on November 20, 2009, 04:43:24 PM
Quote from: "aniintheskywithtofu"I live in Kissimmee and saw this on the news. People are really upset about it, yet I pass religious billboards all the time.
hah
w00t Kissimmee I used to live there!!!
Yeah I read in an article that the Billboard's owner has been threatened and is going to take it down and not let them put it back up or will have it moved or something like that. I saw it on atheists sub-reddit.
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: karadan on November 25, 2009, 08:04:01 AM
Post by: karadan on November 25, 2009, 08:04:01 AM
Quote from: "LoneMateria"Quote from: "aniintheskywithtofu"I live in Kissimmee and saw this on the news. People are really upset about it, yet I pass religious billboards all the time.
hah
w00t Kissimmee I used to live there!!!
Yeah I read in an article that the Billboard's owner has been threatened and is going to take it down and not let them put it back up or will have it moved or something like that. I saw it on atheists sub-reddit.
How very christian of the people making the threats...
Title: Re: Our ATHEIST billboard in Lakeland, Florida
Post by: LoneMateria on November 25, 2009, 04:15:02 PM
Post by: LoneMateria on November 25, 2009, 04:15:02 PM
Quote from: "karadan"How very christian of the people making the threats...
Yup and the kicker is their minds are so warped that they feel they are doing the right thing. I bet the people who make the threats are the same people who want the government to legislate everyones life and force everyone to believe in their deity. People like this need to be locked into either 1) a mental institution or 2) a prison for domestic terrorism. My personal take on it.