The full text of the billboard reads "You don't need God-to hope, to care, to love, to live." It features a picture of a family smiling and kissing and the Living without Religion website and CFI logo. The billboard is situated near the Hall St. exit.
Jefferson Seaver, CFI-Michigan president says that non-religious people face intolerance and prejudice daily. He says he hopes that billboard, the seventh to go up, nationwide, will encourage other the other 16 percent of people in the U.S with no religious affiliation.
But West Michigan, and particularly Grand Rapids, is a pretty religious community. There's a strong Christian presence: Catholic, protestant and especially fundamentalist, in the area. Grand Rapids is nicknamed "Steepletown" because there are so many houses of worship in the city and outlying suburbs.
Even the original sign company, G.R. Outdoor (Rockford, Mich.) that Seaver and CFI petitioned to erect the sign wanted nothing to do with an atheist billboard, saying it went against their religious beliefs. CFI had to get contract with Lamar to get the "You don't need God" billboard up.
Many churches and religious groups place billboards along Michigan highways. For a time, the "God Speaks" signs were popular. These were plain black backgrounds with short, pithy notes signed "God."
I rather enjoyed them and found them inspirational.
However, that doesn't mean that as a Christian, I agree with the anger against CFI's "You don't need God" billboards. For one thing, I think billboards, clothing with slogans, bumper stickers and the like are generally tacky. I really don't care for roadside advertising, in general. I think it's an unnecessary distraction and waste of money.
There is nothing unconstitutional about the billboards. CFI has as much right to post their beliefs as religious groups do. It's their money after all. CFI isn't attacking God. They've given Him the distinction of a capital letter.
In fact, I think their message makes a good point: people are responsible for their own behavior, to love or hate, to show compassion or to fight.
We've seen, all too often, how people hide misdeeds behind their Christian mask, or used their religion as a weapon rather than a gift. Not all Christians are loving and loving behavior is possible outside the boundaries of faith.
The "You don't need God" billboard can facilitate discussion and sharing of faith. I have pals of all faiths and lack thereof. I don't make church membership a qualification for friendship.
Accepting and discussing alternate ideologies does not diminish faith. In fact, it can correct ignorance and helps a person grow in his own beliefs.
Look how our new President-elect Donald Trump treats minorities, especially Muslims. Look at how the Michigan Muslim community has been treated since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Case in point: there was a little gas station in our community, run by a Sikh family. When the twin towers were destroyed, the gas station was boycotted. The family wasn't even Islamic; they just looked like they were. I continued to frequent the gas station but it closed.
If believers are so confident in their faith, why are they so afraid of the beliefs of others? Hated doesn't honor God. It hurts Him.
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