The new American Atheists Ad attacks religions as scams. Obviously, there are some people who find that line of assault quite offensive.
The billboard was put up over the weekend in Huntsville, Alabama, and it reads “You know they’re all scams.” Along with the words, the billboard also had religious symbols including the cross, the Jewish star and Islamic crescent moon with star. Finally, at the end they included a tagline that said, “telling the truth since 1963.”
The American Atheists Ad was at least had equal opportunity by including several popular religions. The group acknowledges that the ad that attacks religions as scams would probably make people angry. However, they put up the billboard attacking religions in order to draw the so-called closet atheists out of the closet. They wanted these people to feel like they could stop pretending and start living their lives in the open. That’s an interesting way of looking at it.
The scam that AA says religions are is defined as a ploy to raise money or an attempt to intentionally mislead people to achieve financial gain. The group claims that “all religions make money and power from their flock.”  In addition, American Atheists believe that "all religions make lots of promises about an afterlife that doesn't exist." To them, religion ultimately tells people a good story.
In addition to helping closeted atheists, the group is also advertising their upcoming Huntsville regional conference. Aren’t they at risk of becoming a religion themselves if they are holding things like conferences and raising money to place billboards? They are just working at making people angry – a recent ad attacked Christmas as a myth. What do you think? Is this actually an attempt by the group to gain some notoriety and possibly raise some money?  Why else would the American Atheists ad attack religions as scams?
© Copyright: News Today Online by Kate James at Gather.com
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Comments: 24
Where do you attend church? I'm going there. LOL Cheers, Don
I hope you will consider what LeeAnn has said.
I've responded to your comment in a little more lengthy manner a few comments down.
This is an open letter back to you. I read your ad, and it is duly noted here in Heaven's archives. Those of you who are attached, like links to this billboard, and adhere to its premise and overall tactics, know that you have not been ignored at all. All of your names are now registered as "S" offenders. The S stands for Spiritual of course.
I have been patient with the whole lot of you, but you have to know that your days are numbered and my followers know that they must also tow a fine line. You see before I come after all of you for your indiscretions, I will first clean house in my church. Scary, huh? I couldn't possibly reward you for your works, and skip over those of my own people who have strayed off the narrow way too. It's only fair.
Oh, and yes in the end I will remind you that there will be fireworks. "Wait for it".
GOD ( LOL)

Its a wash in the end.
Here is what David Mills had to say bout the charge that atheism is a religion.
(from "Atheist Universe" chapter 1...Interview with an Atheist (page 44)
INTERVIEWER: How do you respond to the charge that atheism
is just another religion?
MILLS: "It seems to me that any religion worthy of the name
must include some form of belief in a god or gods and some type
of belief in the supernatural. Otherwise, the "religion" would be indistinguishable from atheism.
Atheism is the opposite of religion in that a belief in God and the supernatural is rejected. If, however, you define "religion" to mean any form of philosophical system, then I suppose you could label atheism a religion. But such all-inclusive, watered- down definitions soon become altogether meaningless and only lead to confusion. By such a loose definition, for example, I, a devout atheist, could be called a devoutly religious man.
On the other hand, I do agree that the devoted Christian and the devoted atheist share more in common psychologically than they do with a person who doesn't give a damn one way or another. I've always found it intriguing, though, that Christians attempt to slander atheism by calling it a "religion." Christians seem to be saying, "Look, you atheists are just as irrational as we are!"
"It seems when you don't have a belief system and no hope; you want to lash out and to attack those who do."
What you mean is that atheists do not share YOUR belief system....do you not? You don't really know what atheists believe EXCEPT that we don't, as a group or by definition, believe that a supreme being exists.
Regarding your charge of "no hope". That's quite a conclusion Karla...and quite arrogant. I am an atheist and I have lots of hopes. I also have concerns and interest in the welfare of my fellow man.
"Many atheists claim to be moral, compassionate people but their attacks speak louder than their words."
Wow...consider this: Many Christians claim to be moral, compassionate people but attacks by some Christians, on atheists, gays, woman's rights and other religions and groups that do not share their beliefs etc. speak louder than their words.
However....IF you wish to postulate that Christianity is synonymous with a better moral standard, you can address, if you will, the fact the the United States is the "most Christian" country in the world. We also have one of the highest crime rates in the world and one of the highest divorce rates... just for starters. While these statistics serve as no direct correlative link between Christianity and say ...the murder rate...they do, in a more suggestive manner, indicate that America is more crime ridden than other similarly developed countries IN SPITE of having the highest percentage and the highest number of Christians.
If you wish to investigate in order to compare the quality of life in the U.S. with less religious countries....have at it. I'd like to know what you find. Why don't you start with Sweden.... the least religious country in the world. (up to 85% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)?
I doubt it says much about atheists as a group. It says more about humans as a species.