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Merry Christmas! Jersey Billboard Takes on God

Atheists battle Catholics in ad war

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2010 2:04 AM CST

(Newser) – Just in time for Christmas ... a giant New Jersey billboard is challenging the existence of God. "You know it's a myth," says the atheist ad that appears over the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, featuring an image of the Magi traveling to a nativity scene. "This season, celebrate reason." The debate, of course, isn't ending there. A Catholic group has erected its own billboard on the Manhattan entrance to the tunnel reading: "You know it's real" over pictures of Mary and Joseph.

"We can't enjoy the Christmas season without someone trying to dumb it down or neuter it," the president of the Catholic League told AP. Reps from American Atheists say they don't intend to offend anyone. They merely want to "encourage" other atheists to "come out of their closet to attack the myth that Christianity owns the solstice system," they said on their blog site. Each billboard cost close to $20,000.

Atheists post an unusual Christmas message at the Jersey entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel. (AP)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 44 comments

Dr.Gonzo

Dec 4, 2010 9:03 AM CST

Unhappy athiests trying to get happy people to turn away from god. For what reason? The teachings are a good way to live- respect yourself and others and shit

doxa

Dec 3, 2010 6:23 PM CST

Oh poor little catholics saying someone always had to throw a wrench in their celevration of a MYTH..and to say its real?? ask any biblical theologian woth his salt..one thAT KNOWS Greeg and Hebrew and has an advanced degree..and they'll support the atheist view that it's a myth..atheists like any other group have a right to put up signs..we can enjoy the holidays by celebrating being kind moral people..demonstrating empathy and concern..and we don't have to believe in a god..chimps have morality..do they have a chimp god?

paul123

Dec 3, 2010 3:39 PM CST

It's an expression of free speech. People are entitled to their opinion. I however take umbrage with the sentiment that only reasonable people are atheists. It smacks of arrogance and is an "unreasonable" conclusion.

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Merry Christmas! Jersey Billboard Takes on God

Atheists battle Catholics in ad war

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