Politicians weren’t the only ones seeking attention at the Republican and Democratic National conventions. American Atheists were trying to arrest the attention of Mitt Romney, Barack Obama and their faithful followers. Specially prepared billboards mocking Christianity by calling God “sadistic” and Jesus a “useless” Savior with the image of Jesus on toast, and hailing atheism as “Simply Reasonable” were to appear in both Tampa and Charlotte.
So that Mitt Romney would not be left out, the Tampa billboards mocked Mormonism’s view of God and their teaching of baptism by proxy for dead relatives. However, the atheists ran into a slight snag on the way to the conventions.
No Tampa or Florida billboard company would sell space to the atheists! So, they were left with using them in Charlotte. Adams Outdoor Advertising agreed to sell the American Atheists space and up they went. Until. Yes, until there was a huge outcry against them.
According to some reports there were threats leveled against both Adams Advertizing and the atheists organization. In a statement on the American Atheist web page, Amanda Knief, the Managing Director said, “It is with regret that we tell our members and all of those who treasure free speech and the separation of religion and government that American Atheists and Adams Outdoor Advertising have mutually agreed to remove the billboards immediately.”
According to USA Today, atheist spokesperson Teresa MacBain said that the billboards were “aimed at mocking the “silliness” of religion. In an email she wrote that questioning the religious views of men who want to lead the free world is essential because,
If a person believes stupid things, then we have every right to question his or her judgment, and that directly impacts how the non-religious voter votes.
Now the purpose of this post on ThePreachersWord today is not to condone threats or any hate speech by those opposing the billboards. Jesus taught that we should love our enemies, bless those that curse us and do good to those who persecute us (Matt 5:43-48). Nor is it an attempt to convert Atheists in 500 words or less! But I believe that faith is reasonable. Belief in God is reasonable. Commitment to Christ is reasonable. And the teaching of the Bible is reasonable
It would seem that the so-called spirit of tolerance today would accord Christians the right of their convictions without name calling, hurling hurtful epitaphs, or unfair accusations.
In a free society the atheists have a right to their lack of belief in God. And I am glad to live in such a country where I can openly declare my faith without fear of reprisal.
But what it does remind me of is this. The Friday that Jesus was crucified. The arrogant Jewish religious leaders belittled and humiliated Him. Pilate cowardly dismissed Him. The soldiers crudely mocked Him. The criminal on the cross blasphemed Him. Spectators walked by and ridiculed Him. The rulers sneered at Him. That was Friday.
But on Sunday the air and the attitude of the community quickly changed. Word spread quickly that the tomb was empty. Soon sights of a resurrected Jesus began to surface. First he was seen by the women. Then the apostles. Then two men walking on the Emmaus road. And even large crowds of 500 or more. For 40 days Jesus “presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3).
A “useless Savior”? Hardly! His life and mission “toast”? Not on your life! A “Sadist God”? No way! A God who “so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) is the God that I know and serve.
Jesus, the Risen Savior, and Jehovah, the merciful God seeks the salvation of all men and women. From every race. Every ethnic group. From every nation. Even from atheists who don’t believe and even belittle Him.
And so on this Friday of unbelief, of discontent, of uncertainly, there is a Sunday coming! Billboards or not, Jesus is Lord of all and over all! Praise the name of Jesus!
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
WE ALL DEAL WITH THIS ON A DAILY BASIS, NOT QUITE SO MUCH HERE IN OKLAHOMA. WE NOW LIVE IN THE MOST CONSERVATIVE STATE OF THE UNION. WHAT A PLEASURE TO HAVE MORE TOLERANCE.
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THANK GOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE IN TAMPA!!!!
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