A billboard, sponsored by the Lincoln Atheists and which read, "The Good Life Without God? It's possible," has been taken down by the advertising company after local residents threatened to boycott businesses in the area.
Atheist Billboard in Nebraska Removed After Residents Complain https://t.co/oVczFmpFtH pic.twitter.com/HxIsCKN1Oa
— Julian (@crossmaker316) October 24, 2016
The signage was to stay up at Subway-Phillips 66 in Lincoln, Nebraska, until Nov. 10, according to the contract the Lincoln Atheists signed with Lamar Advertising, but it was brought down earlier this week, Lincoln Journal Star reported.
The billboard was taken down after several residents threatened to stop doing business at the gas station and store, whose space the advertising company used for the signage.
The advertising company says it has to respect what the landowners, upon which the company leases space, want. "At this point, we're just going to refund them all of their money, even though they got some display time," Scott Morton, general manager of Lamar's Lincoln branch, was quoted as saying.
"We are grateful for the work Lamar did for us and with us, but we are disappointed that we don't get an equal platform to share ideas," Shawn Capler, marketing director of the atheist group, was quoted as saying. "I think a group like ours is necessary because not everyone is religious, but I think everyone needs a community. We'd like to think that we provide community for those without any religious beliefs."
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
