Atheists Lash Out at 'Religious Right' With Gay-Themed Billboard: 'Ban Marriage Between Church & State

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an atheist activist non-profit, is advertising a new billboard that uses gay themes to argue against faith in the public sphere. The ad, which reads, "Ban Marriage Between Church and State," was erected in Smithville, Missouri, in response to a separate, Christian sign reaffirming that marriage is between one man and one woman.

The new 14 by 48 foot atheist ad uses a rainbow, a symbol familiar to the gay community, to make its case. The "Ban Marriage Between Church and State" billboard was recently placed near an ad put up by Catholic Radio that reads, "1 Man, 1 Woman, Forever."

Smillville resident Matt Gaines employed the FFRF to post the message after he saw the Catholic Radio ad and contended that it is overtly offensive to homosexuals. He also said that it takes aim at any individual who has gone through a divorce, the FFRF web site proclaims.

"To denigrate other people's relationships or the decisions they have had to make with their outdated religious dogmas is simply shameful," Gaines is quoted as saying.

Gained apparently helped the activist group locate a place for the billboard, while also donating monies to the cause. In speaking out about the initiative, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of FFRF, lambasted the "religious right," while specifically naming Mormons, Roman Catholics and "fundamentalist Protestant churches and organizations."

"The only organized opposition to marriage equality comes from the Religious Right. Mormon, Roman Catholic and fundamentalist Protestant churches and organizations have spent hundreds of millions to amend state constitutions to ban gay marriage in the name of Christianity," she proclaimed. "Religious dogma must be kept out of our secular laws."