WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Controversial electronic billboard debuts in Green Hills

Controversial electronic billboard debuts in Green Hills

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- For the first time, the Green Hills community is reacting to an electronic billboard posing that idea that it's okay not to be religious and that there are others in the community who share the same beliefs.

The digital billboard is located at the corner of Hillsboro Road and Hillsboro Circle between restaurants Noshville and Wendy's.

The bright blue and green electronic sign flashes every fifteen seconds or so, the message, "Not religious? You're not alone."

Cherri Elam said, "The sign doesn't bother me at all. It doesn't offend me, because being realistic, there are people who are not."

Darek Leech tells News 2, "Personally, I don't agree with them, but hey, it's their right, freedom of speech. If they want to reach out to other people in the community as they see fit, it's their business."

Members of Secular Life, a newly formed organization of secularists, humanists, atheists, agnostics and deists, put their money together to sponsor the sign and advertise their group.

Nestled in the heart of Green Hills, the electronic billboard made its debut on Monday, one day late.

It was supposed to light up the sky on Sunday, because the people they are reaching out to are not going to be in church.

Thaddeus Schwartz, who represents Secular Life, said, "We've got a good response with it so far."

"The world is full of a lot of people who aren't religious, and that's all we're saying," said Thaddeus, who says the organization has close to 350 members and is growing rapidly.

He said, "We have everybody from 20 years old to 70 and 80, so it's very diverse, ethnically, as well, and we have a pretty good balance between men and women."

The billboard is meant to reach out to people who consider themselves secular, or non-religious, and provide a community atmosphere that doesn't revolve around church.

The billboard is close to many Green Hills churches.

Senior Minister at Woodmont Christian Church, Clay Stauffer, talked with News 2 about the sign.

"If there are folks that are non-religious that want to be a part of a group like this, if this gives them a sense of community and a sense of belonging," Stauffer said, "then I think that is an okay thing for them. That's obviously their choice and that's a lot different than the community we have here and other churches have."

The electronic sign will be up in Green Hills for the next three weeks.

It could be the first of several ads for the group.

Read more about the organization at SecularLife.net.

Previous Story:

• Oct. 28, 2009: Secularists growing, to launch billboard Sunday