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Impious Billboard Goes Up near Pell City
As you drive down I-20 east toward Talladega, just past the Pell City exit sign is a 14 by 48 foot colorful billboard emblazoned with the John Lennonesque message, 'Imagine No Religion.'
"A lot of people didn't even know there was an atheist group in town. And they do now," says Eleanor Strote, atheist.
The impious billboard was put up by the National Freedom from Religion Foundation. Local chapter president, Pat Cleveland, says it's purpose is not to recruit but to educate.
"How do you get to know about it if there's not something to indicate it. It's more like a member information campaign," says Cleveland.
A way to let all Alabamians know an atheist and agnostic association exists in the Bible belt.
"There are people of no religion in Alabama. I'm one of them. I was raised in a religious environment and I found it was harmful to me," says Cleveland.
Cleveland says the billboard also invites the faithful to imagine a world free from religious wars, sectarian strife and superstition. But in a state with many religious conservatives, the irreverent sign is getting a sometimes chilly reception.
"This is a free country, yea. But when you go messing with religion you step into people's backyards. We are a bunch a Christians. If you don't like the neighborhood, get out," says Jason McGowin, baptist.
"It's not something I want to see. It's not something I want my kids around and brought up to believe, that there's no God," says Calum Naughter, baptist.
"If the constitution said that we can have freedom of religion you also have that freedom to have no religion. That's your business. But when it infringes on me, I know who I believe in. A sign don't make any difference," says Eddie Anderson, baptist.
The billboard is expected to be up for at least a month. For more information on the Freedom From Religion Foundation click here: http://www.ffrf.org.
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