Instead of raising hell on the atheists who produced the new “Go Godless” billboard campaigns, Rick Santorum is thanking them.
Though he was shocked to be quoted on a large Texas billboard ad paid for by atheists, the former Pennsylvania Senator and Republican presidential candidate is sticking to his Christian beliefs and treating the ad’s creators, American Atheists, the way he would want to be treated.
“And you know what I said back to the American Atheists who purchased that billboard? Thank you,” Santorum said in a statement. “Thank you for helping me publicly express my strong belief that we need to continue to be one nation under God. And I think you would agree with that statement.”
The billboard quotes Santorum as saying, “”Our civil laws have to comport with a higher law. God’s law.” Below his quote the atheists encourage readers to “Go Godless instead.” The American Atheists erected these billboards in the greater Austin, TX area to promote their “50th Anniversary Celebration and Convention.”
Santorum added, “This is also a reminder that there are strong forces against the fundamental beliefs that you and I hold so dear. They are organizing with determination to transform the very fabric of our country. The stakes are simply too high for us to sit back and ignore the progress they are making.”
AA public relations director Dave Muscato did not take Santorum’s reaction lightly. He said the Roman Catholic’s comments are reminders of a “strong force” that is breaking America’s “fundamental beliefs.”
“They are organizing with determination to transform the very fabric of our country,” Muscato said. “The stakes are simply too high for us to sit back and ignore the progress they are making.”
Muscato added that separation of church and state are in place “for very good reasons.” He pointed out that the United States is “one nation indivisible,” not “under God,” even though the Pledge of Allegiance mentions both.
AA Founder and President David Silverman added that public figures should stop using Christianity as a basis for their “overt bigotry” toward Americans who don’t share their beliefs.
“We’re very proud of these billboards. Prominent figures in the public sphere continue to make abhorrent statements, all justified by their religion,” Silverman said. “The time in American history where overt bigotry against atheists is acceptable is finally coming to an end, and good riddance!”
In addition to Santorum, the ads star Republican politicians Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, former Pope Benedict XVI and Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress. The ads feature quotes and larger-than-life photos of the various God-fearing public figures.
The Gingrich billboard features this quote: “How can I trust you with power if you don’t pray?” and the Pope Benedict billboard quotes the Catholic leader as saying, “The Church Protected Priests Who Abused Children?” The Jeffress billboard states, “What they (homosexuals) do is filthy.”
The atheists misquoted former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin on her billboard as saying, “We would create law based on the God of the Bible,” from a 2010 interview on Fox News. In reality, she used the word “should” instead of “would.” Muscato stands by the ad, saying the “intent and context” are there, yet they will still replace it with the correct quote.
“Ms. Palin would stand by what we have quoted her as saying,” Silverman told CNN. Palin has not responded to that comment.
The atheists must want to be treated as if their beliefs don’t matter at all, called horrendous names and not be a part of the future of America.
