Upcoming Atheist Billboard Draws Large Response

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Some billboards that are expected to go up as soon as Tuesday in Denver and Colorado Springs are drawing strong reactions.

The billboard reads "God Is An Imaginary Friend. Choose Reality, It Will Be Better For All Of Us."

One of the people behind the sign is Marvin Straus, co-founder of Boulder Atheists. His group is one of the many atheist groups comprising the Colorado Coalition of Reason, which on the sign also encourages people to visit its website.

"We don't believe in gods or devils or heaven or hell," Straus said.

Straus told CBS4 he knows the message may be shocking to some, and says that's the point.

"If you are ... offended by the sign I would say it was not our intention to offend you, it was our intention to get your attention and see if you would like to establish some sort of communication," he said.

Abraham Aryan is the owner of Millennium Auto, which is located right below where one of the billboards will be displayed.

"Why would you want to say that to somebody?" Aryan told CBS4. "That's going to strike an awful lot of people the wrong way."

Aryan said he's not pleased with the message of the billboard but he sayd wouldn't do anything to try to prevent it from being displayed.

"Anything with a derogatory message I don't think should spread around, but they're welcome to do it," he said. "Welcome to America, that's one of the beautiful things about living here is you can do that."

Hundreds of people have shared thoughts about the billboard on CBS4's Facebook page.

Don Horner wrote "That's why I served my country, so people can say what they believe. I don't support the idea, but it is their God given right."

Maureen Gilbert wrote "(I) disapprove of the message but they have a Constitutional right to show it."

Linda Conley wrote "If he is an imaginary friend, he is the best friend I have then!"

Jon Schmitt wrote "Now that atheists make up 18 percent of the US population, perhaps all you Bible-thumpers should start getting used to us."