Atheist Billboards Hit Columbia, Strike a Nerve

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The words: “Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.” are ruffling the feathers of many in the Midlands, while the organization responsible says it’s the perfect advertisement campaign for its cause. The Columbia Coalition of Reason, a combination of four atheist and non-theist groups in the Midlands, launched the public awareness campaign this week. Two 14×48 digital billboards, one at Blossom and Pulaski Streets, and the other at I-20 east of Monticello Road, were put on display, officials say, to attract new members. They say atheists, agnostics, and non-theists often are unaware of resources available to them, as they are surrounded by residents who live in the ‘bible belt’ of the South. Members say they want to be a resource for those who feel as though they don’t belong. The billboards will remain on display until next month. They will be taken down approximately four days before Christmas. That’s because officials with the Columbia Coalition of Reason say, they ‘want to offend as few people as possible.’ For more information on the group’s efforts, visit www.columbiacor.org.