Group seeks community with controversial billboard

FREDERICKSBURG — They are controversial words that garner a second look when seen splashed across a billboard on the highway.

The words — "Don't believe in God? You are not alone." — are superimposed on a billboard on the west side of Interstate 95, three miles north of U.S. 17.

The 16-by-72-foot billboard is visible to southbound travelers headed into the City of Fredericksburg and is illuminated at night, according to a press release from the Fredericksburg Coalition of Reason, which placed the ad.

Fredericksburg CoR placed the ad with $7,200 in funding from the United Coalition of Reason as part of a billboard campaign that marks the public launch of Fredericksburg CoR — an alliance of five area non-theistic groups, with activities ranging from support to education to parenting.

The group marched this past weekend in the Religious Freedom Day Parade with a banner that was designed similar to the billboard. Additionally, members of Fredericksburg CoR wore T-shirts with the billboard slogan as part of a nationwide campaign effort, according to the group.

"We hope people will realize that we are a regular part of the community," said Matthew Jordan, spokesperson for Fredericksburg CoR in a press release. "Folks like us live all over Virginia. We're your friends and family, neighbors and coworkers. We might even be sitting near you in your pew at church."

On Wednesday, Fred Edwords, national director of the United Coalition of Reason, said that the response the groups have received about the Fredericksburg billboard has been overwhelmingly positive.

Since the spring of 2009 there have been similar billboards, as well as bus ad campaigns, in 27 states and the District of Columbia. But the Fredericksburg billboard is the first of its kind in Virginia, the group said. 

Reaction at the parade was positive, too, Edwords said.

“There are a lot of people who are grateful we’re here and to know they’re not the only ones and someone’s talking about it,” he said.

Edwords admitted that the groups will get an occasional e-mail comment or someone that says, “I’ll be praying for you,” or something negative. But the positive comments even out the negative ones, he said.

The point of the ongoing nationwide campaign is to reach others with similar views, he said.

“We feel we can peacefully coexist with other viewpoints,” Edwords said. “We’re not interested in going against everyone else. We want to be part of the community. …” 

Edwords explained that being visible is important to the group.

“In our society, atheists and agnostics often don't know many people like  themselves,” he said in a press release. “Moreover, if traditionally religious people can be open about their views, why can't we be open about ours?"

"…Such non-theists sometimes don't realize there's a community for them because they're inundated with religious messages at every turn. We hope our effort will serve as a beacon and let them know they aren't alone,” Edwords said.

Tracy Bell is managing editor of the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at tbell@insidenova.com.