Atheist Billboard Hit Again (Matt Loveless/KLEW-TV; Nov 6)

MOSCOW, Idaho: An atheist billboard in Moscow has become the target of vandals for the second time in three weeks.

The billboard is on the corner of Jackson Street and U.S. 95 on the south end of the city. It reads, “Millions are Good Without God.”

The American Humanist Association (A.H.A.), which sponsors the billboard, quickly replaced it after the word “without” was blacked out on October 21.

Moscow Police said sometime between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m. Wednesday [Nov 4], the word “without” was hit again, this time leaving the sign reading, “Millions are Good With God.”

The A.H.A. calls it a religiously-motivated vandalism, attempting to silence a minority viewpoint. A.H.A. President David Niose called the continuous vandalism ironic, saying, “Some individuals are committing criminal acts while apparently claiming that their religious view of the world leads to good behavior. It’s not a very convincing argument on their part.”

Moscow Police said they check the area up to seven times a night, and are now recommending Lamar Outdoor, the property owner, keep the lights on around the clock.

The A.H.A. Plans to replace the billboard again, but has not decided whether or not they’ll go with the same design.

A press release from the AHA included these additional comments:

“This is not just vandalism, it is religiously motivated vandalism which attempts to silence a minority viewpoint,” added Niose. “Everyone, not just humanists, should be concerned about such acts.”

“I’m disturbed that this happened again,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “Two consecutive crimes in a town where the last incidence of billboard vandalism was years ago makes it obvious that humanists and our message are being targeted.”

To see a photo of the vandalized sign, click here.

To learn more about the first time this sign was defaced as well as about other attempts to silence atheists, see the entries I posted on Oct 26 and Oct 29.