[news] Another atheist billboard flap in Mansfield

source:

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/206070303/New-billboard-another-flap?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage

MANSFIELD -- For the second time in less than six months, Mid-Ohio Atheists have run into trouble because of a billboard.

Early last month, three of the group's billboards went up locally. One billboard, that read "Faith is a virtue" but had the word "faith" crossed out and replaced with the word "reason," was removed last week for a public service announcement.

Ron Stephens, president of the Mid-Ohio Atheists, said the billboard was supposed to stay up through June 3. Stephens said Lamar Advertising changed the billboard in the middle of last week because the landowner complained. It was on Ohio 430 east, directly across from Melody Lane.

"The lease is about up, and they're negotiating a new lease," Stephens said.

• See what Steve Goble has to say in today's It's Debatableblog post.

According to the Richland County Auditor's Office, the property owner is Mark Scheurer. He did not return calls seeking comment.

Stephens said Lamar general manager Tim Gerity told him the Mid-Ohio Atheists would get a refund.

"I certainly don't want to cause any trouble for Lamar," Stephens said.

Gerity would not comment.

In December, the Mid-Ohio Atheists had a similar situation with Lind Media Co.

The Mansfield-based company refused a billboard depicting Poseidon, Jesus, Satan and Santa Claus as myths. The atheist group said Lind waited until one day before the billboards were scheduled to go up to inform the group of its decision.

"We deemed the content of this creative particularly offensive and not in the best interest of the community," Lind vice president Maura Siegenthaler previously told the News Journal.

Stephens said his group is advertising for more membership. The Mid-Ohio Atheists have about 30 members.

"It kind of makes us sad that people don't want us to put up billboards," Stephens said. "We're not out to offend anyone."

As proof, Stephens cited a decision not to put a billboard on Springmill Street because of the proximity of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

While one of the group's billboards has been replaced, two others remain.

"We thought some of the other ones would be more objectionable," Stephens said.

A billboard on Second Street reads "On the first day, man created God." The other is on Park Avenue East, near the subway, and has the message "There is no God. Don't believe everything you hear."