Chicago Coalition of Reason Billboard Goes Up

Hooray! I’ll have to make a point of getting to that neighborhood soon! I love this slogan, particularly because it’s so affirmative and unimpeachably civil that only the true loons who would, as you say, deny that goodness can even exist independent of their god, could find fault with it.

Opps wrong link: http://twitpic.com/m9xrq

Unless you’re deluded enough to think goodness only derives from belief in God …

Actually, I know several people who believe just that. Of course, I know you are being sarcastic.

This is a really innocuous sign, but I’ll bet the religious reich is furious. It’s simple, common sense, and cannot logically be denied. The deists hate that combination.

My sign reads, “Most of the problems of the world, are, and always have been, caused by religion. Mankind will never truly be free until the dark yoke of religion is lifted by the clear light of facts and reason.”

Hi Hemant you said..”Unless you’re deluded enough to think goodness only derives from belief in God, this should be a matter-of-fact statement”

Sadly many folks are still deluded to think this.I often find myself in discussion with folks specially folks of faith,who bring up the old charity angle to throw back at me.

I acknowledge that at present they have this as a kind of trump card.But remind them how often its also non believers money that has contributed to the christian charity funds.Not that many of them even then seem to care about it,none have apologized yet.

Personally i think it so misleading and deceitful that they use these type of statistics against those who have often helped.My opinion is we maybe need to have more widesread education of non believers need to not give to faith charities, who often then also use it as ammo to fire back against us while promoting themselves as those who give the most.

My opinion is its important that non believers be sure their donations only go to secular charities etc,for reasons of cutting through this biased type thinking.

Another thing I like about this sign is that it’s just a couple blocks from Moody Bible Institute which is at LaSalle and Chicago. Irony? Why thank you very much!

Pete:

You could reply “so why are the prisons filled with the faithful?”. There are very few incarcerated atheists.

PROBLEM ! ! !

If you look closely, you can see an image of Jesus in the clouds. Seriously. Right in the middle of it. .
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Just Kidding

@Pete:

There are a number of reasons why churchs appear to be more charitable than non-believers. In the US at least there are more believers than non-believers so there contributions will always look better on a simple sum measure. Even when we look at gifts per capita the church’s have advantages.

They are not taxed, at least in the US, so they can afford to give more. They are loud mouthed about it so that you know its them. This is not what Jesus was reputed to have taught. 🙂

Churches are organized whereas atheists have, until recently, tended to be invisable loners. Much of the good that atheists do is attributed to something else, including the policies of their employers. This is especially cruel when their employers are a church, for example, doctors working in a Catholic hospital.

Oh, and I just wanted to say that I think that this particular billboard’s ‘slogan’ is THE best one ever!

I can’t imagine a simpler, more direct catchphrase that goes out of its way to not offend believers in the process.

The crux of this argument is that Goodness is self-evident. Just as in “These truths are self-evident”.. we believe that goodness and morality make good sense.
As well, a set of ethical moral codes learned and ingrained from personal experience last a lifetime- but those forced upon you under fear of a flaming death for eternity- have no foundation of understanding under them and are easily lost. Just ask every prison inmate. They are all good Christians.

How do I join the Chicago Coalition for Reason? Could someone email me?

tomstaph@yahoo.com

I think that if you got a problem with the billboard to bad, this is a free country to follow any religion you want to. I have my faith in God, some people don’t, I don’t care cause I won’t pass judgement on you, not my place. But don’t get all bent out of shape when someone puts up a simple fact. Just like the fact that millions of people are Good with God.

Bravo! Bravo! Keep up the good work.

Considering that in Rhode Island there’s a billboard that says “The only way to heaven is through Jesus,” people have no right to get upset about this billboard. I think it’s great; more people need to see things like this.

How much does a billboard like that set you back?