Madalyn Murray O'Hair (1919-1995) |
The Center's spokesperson, Michelle A. Blackley, is quoted as saying, "The intention is to show you can live a positive life without religion." [At least, to proclaim it.]
However, says the article (under the byline of Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan, whose report seems objective),
David Silverman, president of American Atheists, thinks the Center for Inquiry billboard is too soft.What stigma? The American Atheists website identifies the organization to be nonprofit, nonpolitical, and educational, "dedicated to the complete and absolute separation of state and church, accepting the explanation of Thomas Jefferson that the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was meant to create a 'wall of separation' between state and church." The Jeffersonian stigma, I suppose?
"American Atheists believes billboards should call out atheists," he said. "So many are closeted because of the stigma."
American Atheists arose out of a court case begun in 1959 by the family of Madalyn Murray O'Hair that challenged prayer recitation in the public schools.
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