Majority of Viewers Do Not Believe Atheist Billboard is Appropriate
Viewers say ads hurt more than help public's perceptions of specific religions
Flemington, NJ, November 16, 2009 – A new media study among 314 viewers of a news clip regarding a highway billboard promoting atheism revealed that the majority of viewers (52%) reported that it is not appropriate to display that type of message on a billboard.
The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website on November 13-16, to obtain viewers’ perceptions of a news clip featuring a highway billboard that states “Don't believe in God? You are not alone.” To view interest curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.
The majority of viewers (59%) indicated that it was appropriate to display billboards with religious content on highways. When asked if advertisements promoting specific religions help or hurt the religion with regard to public perception, 22% reported they hurt the religion, while 15% reported that they help the religion, and the majority (64%) reported that they do not help or hurt the religion.
Among the findings:
Do you think it is appropriate to display the billboard that says “Don't believe in God? You are not alone” on a highway?
Do you think it is appropriate to display billboards with religious content on highways?
Do you think advertisements promoting a specific religion help or hurt that particular religion (in terms of the public’s overall perception of the religion and recruiting new followers)?
|
|
Total
|
|
Helps
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15%
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|
Hurts
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22%
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|
Neither helps nor hurts
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64%
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Which of the following actions are you likely to perform in the next year? Please select all that apply.
|
|
Before Video
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After Video
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Search for information on atheism using reading material, videos, etc.
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6%
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7%
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|
Visit a web site to search for more information on atheism
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8%
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9%
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|
Watch an advertisement/commercial on atheism
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7%
|
7%
|
|
Visit an organization or place that supports atheist beliefs
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3%
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4%
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None of the above
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86%
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85%
|
While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.
Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flemington-NJ/MediaCurves/86691908820
HCD Research is a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. MediaCurves.com® (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.
I live in NC and it is not unlikely that you would see a billboard that has a religious connotation on it. One of my personal favorites that I have passed many times is as follows : YOU THINK IT'S HOT DOWN HERE ....
I also don't believe in religious billboards promoting any other religion either. I am a very deeply spiritual but I don't believe for one second that a billboard converted anyone one way or the other, it is just more sight pollution (I hate all billboards by the way) and no one wants anyone elses beliefs in either direction shoved in their face and down their throat and I respect that personally.
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:58:04 PM (
#3556)
You should read your Bible more carefully; the Great Commission commands Christians to shove their religion down other people's throats, and billboards are a great way to do that. The atheist billboards provide some fairness and balance to the war of ideologies.
interesting. It' such a personal thing - everyone is free to decide for themselves.
I would be very upset to see this billboard near my home.
I think this is a very good subject...but I think people should not have to be coaxed into religion!!
Interesting survey, and the first time I have ever seen such a billboard!
by Tina (Anonymous User)
on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 @ 2:17:15 PM (
#6983)
It's sopoky how clever some ppl are. Thanks!
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on Monday, January 23, 2012 @ 10:27:38 AM (
#7293)
That saves me. Thanks for being so seinbsle!
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I do not think public venues are ever the proper place for the intrusion of religion or NONreligion, anymore than I think they're the proper place for other private matters. And I don't think billboards ought to exist at all.
we Have God billboards too
it is all fair game for all to see both sides
It has set my mind to thinking.
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:46:52 PM (
#3554)
Thinking is always a good thing, much better than blind faith.
Personally, I believe that atheists has as much right to their beliefs as I do mine.
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 4:04:16 PM (
#3557)
Correction: atheism isn't a belief, the same way baldness isn't a hairstyle. A lack of belief in something isn't a belief. There aren't anti-Santa Claus, or anti-unicorn, or anti-Bigfoot groups. But thank you for respecting atheist's rights to free speech, as guaranteed by our founding fathers.
yes, I am happy to comment! I welcome that billboard, it opens dialog! words alone can't chance a heart, the Holy spirit does that :) The only thing that surprised me was that the lady feels that there is so much focus on religeon that atheists feel a bit uncomfortable..w here I live, in WA state, it feels the other way around! I think I offended someone yesterday when I asked if there were any Christmas stamps featuring Jesus...she was genuinely surprised at the question. So.. I am not an atheist but I fully support their freedom of speech, and I pray that pentecostal Christians (which I am) will be afforded the same.
by wvkxjx (Anonymous User)
on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 @ 7:57:18 AM (
#6474)
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i think it is terrible
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Friday, November 20, 2009 @ 7:46:22 AM (
#3562)
After seeing all the religious billboards and symbols allowed on the highways in the state I am forced to live in right now, it is refreshing to see that I am not alone in being sick to death of seeing them and wanting another view to be presented right along with the religions trying to shove their beliefs down our throats 24/7
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 4:12:05 PM (
#3559)
I THINK THAT A PERSON'S BELEIVES ARE VERY PRIVATE &
PERSONAL AND SHOULD REMAIN THAT WAY. NO ONE SHOULD BE EXPLOITED OR CONDEMED BECAUSE OF THEM UNLESS THEY ARE HARMING SOMEONE ELSE.
I believe in freedom of speech and the billboard is hurting no one
Just a note about the survey. I believe that there is a God, but I don't have a problem with the billboard because in America we have Freedom of Speech. I don't think we should be telling people what and where they can or can't say something regardless of their religious views.
Just a note about the survey. I believe that there is a God, but I don't have a problem with the billboard because in America we have Freedom of Speech. I don't think we should be telling people what and where they can or can't say something regardless of their religious views.
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:43:49 PM (
#3553)
I don't believe in God, but since you respect our mutual rights, I think we can be friends anyway. :)
by Janae (Anonymous User)
on Friday, August 19, 2011 @ 7:18:38 AM (
#6825)
Umm, are you really just givnig this info out for nothing?
by bclwncblweg (Anonymous User)
on Saturday, August 20, 2011 @ 4:50:47 AM (
#6838)
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I do not think atheism should be called a religion and I also think that the weirdos out in the public might use a billboard that states " Don't Beleive in God, Your not alone" to react in some violent manner.
atheist are offensive
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:39:52 PM (
#3551)
And your grammar hurts my head.
I do not believe on foisting one's religion or lack of it on anyone in places that should adhere to the separation of church and state such as public schools or court houses. However, in other public places such an expression doesn't bother me as long it doesn't expect exclusivity. Freedom to express a point of view does not mean or guarantee anyone has to or will agree with it.
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:51:54 PM (
#3555)
I agree with you, which is why it is scary to see the creationists (intelligent design) trying to get their philosophy taught in public science classes. Even after the Dover decision, they are relentless in trying to inject religion into science class surreptitiously. Evolution is scientific, intelligent design is conjecture.
I can't see how people don't believe in God
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:22:23 PM (
#3545)
Why don't I believe in God? (1) Lack of evidence, (2) Science explains the universe better than magic, (3) All holy books, including your Holy Bible, are written by men, not by a sky daddy, (4) Rampant hypocrisy in the church, (5) All answered prayers are coincidences. I don't know how anyone in the 21st century can still believe in a god.
love the billboard
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:39:11 PM (
#3550)
Me too, I hope we can put up more of them!
Very sad ad for a believer like me but as this pastor said may be some people would talk to these non believers and asked them why they don't believe in god and show them he is real from the bible, something good might come out of it!!
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:25:46 PM (
#3546)
First you have to show that your Bible is accurate and consistent. There are so many inaccuracies, contradictions and absurdities in your bible that it's hard to take it seriously. Just because a book says it is true doesn't make it true. What is real in your heart and mind are NOT what is real, those are your emotions and imagination. What is real is what is really real, and god ain't real.
As a Jewish person who would like to think there's a Supreme being , I would have liked an option for "questioning" or perhaps agnostic. I find the billboard very hopeful and refreshing. It's awful feeling marginalized.
it was a little distrubing but inspired me to pray for them.
If you don't believe, how did you get here?
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:32:46 PM (
#3548)
From what I understand, my parents had sex, an embryo started to grow into a fetus (me) and then I was born. Seriously, if you study any science at all, it's clear that humans descended from a common ancestor with apes, and you can follow the evolutionary tree back to the first animals. There is plenty of evidence to back that up. We weren't zapped into creation by a magic god, or any of the other creation myths scattered around the earth since we started asking that question. Wake up, this is the 21st century, time to put away your childish thinking.
by Irais (Anonymous User)
on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 1:15:23 PM (
#7305)
Heck of a job there, it aobsultely helps me out.
by Esperlita (Anonymous User)
on Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:05:55 PM (
#3442)
As a minister of the United Methodist Church, My stand is for the one who created the Universe. The Truth that sets people free. I for one the glorification of the One that Created the world in the beginning of the universe that matters, because there is just one reason why human beings are created. just to glorify Him. Anything that we do good or bad, we are accountable before Him. I may not disturb to any doctrinal teachings, because I have known the truth, the GOOD NEWS! But I will not stop to share the Gospel to all the people of the world.
by billybobbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:37:31 PM (
#3549)
The REALLY GOOD NEWS is that there is no heaven or hell, no sky daddy watching you like a hall monitor, and that you can safely ignore the dogma and still lead a good life. Yes, you are accountable, to your fellow man, to the planet we share, and to the civil authority. Because God so Loved the World that He created a Place of Eternal Torment for Those who Fail to Succumb to the Ramblings of a human-created Bible. God is imaginary, and those who make a living preaching are hucksters. Donate your 10% to something that will make a difference in the world.
by billybobbbibb (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:17:05 PM (
#3544)
There are lots of "Turn or Burn" billboards where I live. It's obvious to me that the bible is a book of mythology, and that Christianity is not very different from any other world religion. But a lot of people do believe, and that's ok, they have that right as well as the right to freedom of speech, even if I totally disagree with them. I think it's hypocritical for christians to be offended by this billboard, and I hope to see more of them. I would even donate to have some put up in my own city. The difference between an atheist and a christian is that the atheist believes in one fewer god than that christian.
I took this survey, it was interesting. While being an agnostic and not an atheist, I didn't find the billboard offensive or inappropriate. If the group has the money and the billboard company accepts payment, it's a contract between consenting business partners, which is how things are supposed to work in a market-economy.
If people found the message offensive, they would be much better served making their displeasure known to the company that agreed to accept money from the atheist group instead of committing a serious felony like issuing death threats against the atheists.
Atheism is more a political ideology than a spiritual belief system and is often way more militant than I'd prefer, but despite my distaste with their intolerance and smug belief in their intellectual superiority over religious believers, it's wrong for the religious to be dangerously militant and issue death threats in a free society.
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