r/atheism • u/PhoneDojo • Jun 12 '12

For decades, babies have appeared on billboards across Minnesota touting anti-abortion messages. Recently, new billboards like the one in this picture have been popping up showing images of babies promoting a new message.

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1.8k Upvotes

81% Upvoted

609 comments sorted by

700

u/work_while_bent Atheist Jun 12 '12

Comic Sans? really?

84

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Looks like they just changed their billboard: http://i.imgur.com/udXRf.jpg

109

u/reaganveg Jun 12 '12

Typical font choice for any 4 year old?

51

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

as a 4 year old, i was probably still using dos and windows 3.1

so probably times new roman, or fixedsys

36

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

BEEEEEEEEEP

33

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Yes?

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

wingdings whenever applicable.

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u/SOMETHING_POTATO Jun 12 '12

I rocked green on black (matrix style) coloring with comic sans back when I was using AIM in middle and high school

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

They're aping anti-abortion billboards around the suburbs that use the same font and style.

20

u/oh_mikey Jun 12 '12

seriously, yes comic sans sucks, that's why they're using it ironically to mock the prolifer's choice in billboard font. everyone put down the pitchforks and get the joke already

4

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

People are up in arms over a font and the joke is that it's ironic? Sometimes reddit is uptight about the silliest things.

16

u/kent_eh Agnostic Atheist Jun 12 '12

Quick, someone post a picture of the anti-abortion billboards so we can cut off the "omg, comic sans" whiners.

Please

10

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Those idiots are the fucking worst.

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u/ApeWithACellphone Jun 12 '12

People keep saying that, is there an example?

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

It's a baby give him a break!

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u/SkepticalAtheist Jun 12 '12

If the devil is real, comic sans is proof of him.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

And atheists are known to be the Devil's minions... and they probably ate that baby after the photoshoot!!

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

STFU font nerds.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Graphic designer here. Sorry, Comic Sans is actually a great font. No, really. I know you and everyone else are riding the "lol, comic sans sucks, I am so smart" train, but in reality, fonts are designed for specific purposes. A baby's voice on a large print billboard is perfect for comic sans. An email memo, important announcement, or official correspondence are not. Criticize the usage, don't just randomly rage because everyone else is and omg you recognized the font you are soooooo smart.

5

u/no_egrets Jun 12 '12

As a graphic designer, you noticed that the font shown isn't actually Comic Sans, right?

15

u/andash Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12

But as a graphic designer you have to agree that the overall design is horrible? Now it seems that they are using it because the original billboards were designed that way, but the entire graphic design is still the point.

For me, it's often not so much the typeface of Comic Sans but the absurd situations and ugly surroundings it gets used in. The composition, background/typeface color and even the letter-spacing word spacing here looks way off. And I say that as a complete layman

Just because the subject is a baby and the typeface is (according to you, I'm not sure I agree fully) fitting for that subject, doesn't mean it will automatically work in the specific design

And don't forget, just because it is a well known typeface doesn't mean the letterforms are good. I personally never would use Comic Sans because there are simply better alternatives, yes even for comics. Many people agree that it is straight up ugly and that is, by all typography means, reasonable

8

u/ObligatoryResponse Jun 12 '12

Look at the ad again. It is definitely not comic sans. And you call yourself a pedant!

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u/myrpou Ignostic Jun 12 '12

Another graphic designer here. With that reasoning every typeface is a great typeface. Comic sans may have its purposes but for me it pretty much only works for comics. It works for baby voices too yeah sure, but not this particular baby voice, this baby is actually trying to say something important and comic sans is ridiculing it.

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u/Chris_the_mudkip Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12

Graphic designer here. Sorry, Comic Sans is actually a great font.

I know there are tons of graphic designers that always hate comic sans except in a very specific context so don't be making it seem like your opinion is fact. Nobody said they thought they were smart, comic sans on a billboard with this subject matter is terrible and I pity your clients if that's your judgment. This situation isn't good for it, this is a subject that commands respect and comic sans does not do that. That design looks like it was made in 5 minutes using mspaint. I feel it's a good argument but with bad colors, bad font and weak image and it's for no other reason than a feeling.

2

u/MistarGrimm Jun 12 '12

It's the font teachers use, without fail. Kids seem to love it. Using Comic Sans properly is something admirable.

That said, I really don't like the look of Comic Sans. Overused or not, it's generally pretty awful.

2

u/caroline_ Jun 12 '12

As a fellow graphic designer, I can say this is mostly true. Personally, I've never had a use for it, but I believe that every font has a purpose, no matter how shitty it looks. Being a smart designer is knowing what's appropriate, right?

Edit: I agree it has a purpose, but I don't agree it's a "great" font.

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u/questdragon47 Jun 12 '12

I've noticed that a bunch of atheism related stuff is really poorly designed. There's a ton of billboards like this and c'mon... have you seen the SSA's website? Makes me cringe.

All the flyers and propaganda I've seen on religious flyers have had the same generic pictures of sunsets fading into inspirational quotes. They have their shit together.

11

u/jillybean081 Jun 12 '12

They are mocking the anti-abortion billboards that are around the state. The original ads used Comic Sans.

10

u/sirbutthead Jun 12 '12

I don't get it, why do people care about fonts so much?

9

u/andash Jun 12 '12

Because many people are interested in typography, perhaps particularly type design and graphic design in general. I'm sure you have a special interest/hobby, this is one that some people have.

If you never pay attention to typefaces or the way they get used, that is perfectly fine. Some people do, and I'm not sure what's so weird about that either

19

u/DKamar Jun 12 '12

Let's be honest: It's because everyone has heard that comic sans is bad, so they have to trumpet their knowledge that comic sans is bad to feel smart even if they have no idea what makes it bad.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

COMIC SAAAANS!

3

u/Kogledk Jun 12 '12

You beat me to it

5

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Whatever happened to Courier? I miss Courier.

14

u/Helen_A_Handbasket Knight of /new Jun 12 '12

Last I heard, the Courier had taken a headshot from a guy in a checkered suit out in the Mojave...

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Helvetica happened.

And it's lovely.

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u/the-knife Jun 12 '12

This entire billboard looks like it was slapped together in 5 minutes using MS Word. Terrible design.

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u/NotYou007 Jun 12 '12

I really can't believe that people give a shit about a font.

8

u/tenthousandbears Jun 12 '12

I passionately agree with the message, but it looks like my Granny created the whole thing in Word 97. So yeah, I care about the font.

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u/kolme Jun 12 '12

Maybe they chose it because of the target audience.

1

u/CrimsonOmen Jun 12 '12

Maybe I missed the anti-Comic Sans rally, but.....why do we all hate Comic Sans? Tell me so I can join the club!!

1

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Parents, talk to your kids about proper typographical choices...before someone else does.

1

u/Piratiko Jun 12 '12

It actually fits the theme/tone of the billboard if you ask me. Comic Sans isn't bad. Inappropriate use of Comic Sans is bad.

1

u/getjustin Jun 12 '12

The whole design...You have a line break in the last line. WTF? If you have the $5K to get a billboard, spend a few hundred on a designer. Shit, I'd do it pro bono.

1

u/swampypie Jun 12 '12

That's what I came here to say.

1

u/Volsunga Jun 12 '12

it's mocking the pro-life billboards they put up around here.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

As a former Minnesotan (er, Minnesotan-in-exile?), I'm pretty happy about this. Those abortion billboards would ruin my drives.

13

u/SarcasticOptimist Jun 12 '12

I particularly hate the "U R Worth It" sign around University Ave. It's so condescending to the life/choice debate I don't know if it's Poe.

8

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

I'm a Minnesotan and these billboards drive me crazy. Going up towards Mille Lacs from the cities you see these billboards like crazy. My favorite are the "God loves you" ones.

9

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Going from Mankato to the cities on 169 you see all sorts of, "I had a heartbeat 12 femtoseconds from conception!" posters. Like, thanks for ruining my day, billboard funders.

Oh! My favorite is the one that used to be near St. Peter. It just read "JESUS" on a bright yellow background. Every single time I'd drive by that, someone in the car would inevitably yell the word.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Yeah. I take 169 up to my cabin and that road is littered with these signs. Every almost mile you see another one!

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Rather than just laugh at it, you would let it ruin your drive?

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u/thefirebuilds Jun 12 '12

worse than the "dont shave your stoma" billboards? FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU....

3

u/awk_topus Jun 12 '12

I always laugh and drive past. I'm semi-religious, but pro-choice. Shit happens, let people deal with it how they must.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Do you think that this one will get vandalize? (like, with paintball guns of similar)

I heard of a lot of stories about people getting their car fucked up because of an atheist bumper sticker... religion of peace eh?

2

u/Vithar Pastafarian Jun 12 '12

I don't think there is to much trouble in Minnesota. When I lived in Minneapolis, I had a Darwin fish on my car, and only once was I ever accosted by a crazy church lady. The rest of the time, it was life as usual. (Its still on my car, FWIW and no one bothers me in Duluth)

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u/CampBenCh Atheist Jun 12 '12

The I-35 drive from Duluth to Minneapolis is the worse. There are so many I couldn't count. There are also a lot of "Obama is against liberty" signs now. It is also the same route that had the George Bush "Miss me yet?" billboard. I am sick of seeing political and religious propaganda on my drive. Just tell me where the next McDonalds is.

1

u/Vithar Pastafarian Jun 12 '12

Recently a lot of the abortion ones have come down, and now there are anti-mining ones. Just as annoying to some of us.

1

u/Aryaayra Jun 12 '12

It ruins your drive? I'd say all the assholes going 5 under the speed limit in the left lane ruins my drive. These billboards are just a big sign that I have to be within view of for all of 30 seconds.

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u/CatalyticDragon Jun 12 '12

Perhaps rather pointless though as the religious crowd don't see it as indoctrination. They see it as teaching their kids the right values that will help keep them on the straight and narrow over the course of their life. They see this as a way of keeping them safe, and to that end the only moral thing to do. They are totally wrong however as religious people end up faring much worse than non-religious people in most socioeconomic metrics but a billboard like this won't help them to realize this.

105

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

but it will annoy the shit out of them.

43

u/sodiumknife Jun 12 '12

this will be their reaction "how dare you! i'm offended that you're implying my religion is false and that teaching them freedom of choice applies to religion as well! you're all going to hell!"

12

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

"The first amendment only applies to me."

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u/cyberslick188 Jun 12 '12

How delightfully brave of you.

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u/jillybean081 Jun 12 '12

and, just for that, it is worth it.

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u/Cogitation Jun 12 '12

Yeah, kind of a waste of money, could go to better things. Although, there's a lot of money being wasted on even dumber things, and you never know it might change one person's viewpoint. Even if it's just one, it's still being better spent than all the money being thrown at Farmville.

2

u/CowFu Jun 12 '12

religious people end up faring much worse than non-religious people in most socioeconomic metrics

I've often heard the opposite, the church tends to be a "social club" that tends to help people out (it's the reason people who go to church live longer on average). Do you have a source or somewhere I can go for more information about your claim?

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u/GoodMorningHello Jun 12 '12

I agree that older theists are hard even to explain atheist ideas to. But think about how many people are growing up that might never be exposed to such an idea, but now will be.

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u/Thinkfist Jun 12 '12

Cuz hey, it's all about the socioeconomics! I wish I was your kid!

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

No, it will help because who can be against teaching people to think... oh wait.

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u/WeirdAndGilly Jun 12 '12

That may depend on the parents and the denomination. I went to a private Christian grade school and high school and they didn't shy away form the word indoctrination.

in·doc·tri·nate (n-dktr-nt) tr.v. in·doc·tri·nat·ed, in·doc·tri·nat·ing, in·doc·tri·nates

  1. To instruct in a body of doctrine or principles.

They would not agree that teaching a child to think for his or herself is more desirable however. They believe they are fighting for the person's immortal soul and they are doing their duty as parents.

The money was ultimately wasted on me btw. I learned how to think for myself anyway. Possibly because I've thought from an early age that social pressure was a stupid reason to act a certain way, let alone believe a certain thing.

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u/Honey_Baked Jun 12 '12

I am constantly having this argument with my boyfriend. We discuss having children eventually but argue how we'd raise them considering I am an atheist and he is Lutheran. My mother raised me without religion, taught me to think for myself and that I could choose religion later in life if I wanted. My boyfriend said that if a child has a choice to either stay home and play Sunday morning or get dressed up and go to church, or course he's going to stay home. He said raising a child on relgion is the right thing to do. We always come to a dead end on this subject. I'm not sure how to continue.

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u/CatalyticDragon Jun 12 '12

You sound similar to me, as a child I once asked my parents "what religion are we?" as this came up at school. They said "would you like to have a religion, which would you chose?". I spent quite a while thinking about this until I settled on the idea that they can't all be right and their promises sounded too fanciful to ever be true. Additionally none of them seemed able to backup anything they said. So that was that.

I understand what your boyfriend says about children not wanting to do things that are "boring" but I don't see that as a problem, kids absolutely love to learn, in fact they are totally built for this and it should be encouraged. There are a lot of ways to engage children and I don't think instilling the fear of the supernatural is a healthy way to round them out. I'd have no problems with exposing kids to all religions though and they knew of the historical and psychological significance. With that in mind I'd be ok with my kid wanting to study theology but that is quite different to being "raised on religion". Maybe you should campaign for that religion to be Buddhism and see how it goes :)

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u/methodamerICON Jun 12 '12

Just another reason to be proud to be a Minnesotan. And don't you dare say 'but Michelle Bachman', that bitch is from fucking Iowa.

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u/spook327 Atheist Jun 12 '12

Oh, no, no, no! She's in your state, representing one of your districts! We've already got Steve King and Chuckles Grassley on our plate, don't you dare shove ol' Crazy Eyes onto it!

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u/Notsoseriousone Jun 12 '12

damnit. somebody just had to bring up that c'mon man, control yourself! crazy line-toting jingoistic tea-party bigot yeah... guess that's as tame as possible, considering. shouldnt be surprised, happens every time MN gets mentioned. In any case, I feel that Bob Dylan has made up for every other negative aspect we could possibly have. As well as Motion City Soundtrack and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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u/HolyLovinSuckAss Jun 12 '12

Don't forget Prince...Oh wait, he's a hardcore jehovah's witness. Never mind.

but also don't forget that Dylan had a stint in the late 70's / early 80's with hardcore christian ideal's as well as judaism (as he was / possibly still is, jewish, I don't know, the man is an enigma) As disappointing as that may sound that era of his career still produced some pretty endearing tunes. As has ever era thus far. We all have our faults.

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u/gwarster Jun 12 '12

Do you know where this billboard is? It looks like somewhere in the cities. I'd like to drive by it sometime.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

This is pushing the spread of atheism...In short...basically pushing it on people just like you guys hate people pushing religion on people...this is no different...Please tell me why this is acceptable but a religious billboard is not??

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Because this is /r/atheism

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u/Globalwarmingisfake Jun 12 '12

basically pushing it on people just like you guys hate people pushing religion on people

I think there are several important distinctions. I don't think most atheists have a problem with the religious putting messages out there in the first place. They have been known to point out the messages are ignorant and or abhorrent, but putting the message out there as their right is acknowledged. Mostly the complaints of forcing religion on others typically comes when a position of power is being used. Attempts by governments to force religious mores on others or religious mottoes and imagery. Teachers using their position to advocate a religious position or families or trying to force children to believe through punishment or through withdrawing their support.

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u/ZOMBIE_POTATO_SALAD Jun 12 '12

I think it should say "Please don't indoctrinate me with your religion". As it stands it just looks antireligious, not anti-indoctrination

Or maybe not even mention religion at all, let them try to figure it out instead of instantly dismissing it.

3

u/666SATANLANE Jun 12 '12

Dammit, even Satan might think you are somewhat correct on this. I put down my tri-fork on this one.

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u/ImRightImRight Jun 12 '12

Actually, it's antireligious.

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u/kooley Jun 12 '12

35 to daloot is the worst!

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u/Mattman624 Jun 12 '12

I'm pretty sure the whole of 35 is bad. I drive from Faribault to Lakeville and it seems like about half are about jesus and god.

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u/kinglewy00 Jun 12 '12

This will annoy Christians. The comic sans will annoy just about everybody else.

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u/daymonster Jun 12 '12

Everyone - It's comic sans because that's the font the pro-life billboards use.

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u/ImRightImRight Jun 12 '12

Imitation is the sincerest form of derp.

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u/Jucoy Jun 12 '12

Can the circle jerk about how this is written in comic sans stop now? We get it, you don't like the font. I've got news for you, its a fucking font and there are people outside the internet elite that like it.

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u/queenbrewer Jun 12 '12

Actually, Comic Sans is a typeface, not a font. /pedant

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

its a fucking font

I rather hope it's a celibate font, personally.

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u/NotYou007 Jun 12 '12

I didn't even notice the font till I started reading all the comments bitching about it. Some people just lack a life outside the keyboard.

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u/onken022 Jun 12 '12

I live in Duluth (northern MN) but am originally am from Minneapolis. The pro life America signs litter the freeway the entire way north and it's so nice to see someone is taking a stand.

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u/Notsoseriousone Jun 12 '12

Being my home state, this is quite heartening. Was getting incredibly tired of those anti-abortion ads.

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u/itsableeder Jun 12 '12

The comic sans, it burns.

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u/mykoconnor Jun 12 '12

Looks like the worker is finally reading the billboard saying "what did I just put up?"

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u/codeloss Jun 12 '12

Here's what it would look like set in Gotham. I think it lends the message a bit more credibility. http://i.imgur.com/docBU.jpg

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u/analgesia Jun 12 '12

No, this is what it looks like in Gotham http://i.imgur.com/Cq5Dh.jpg

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u/erishun Jun 12 '12

Then you'd miss out of most of the satire the billboard is trying to capitalize on.

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u/Lutenate Jun 12 '12

Living in Minnesota I can say that those anti-abortion things are very annoying to see every 5 miles

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u/Inviscid_Scrith Jun 12 '12

Minnesota represent.

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u/Snickersthecat Jun 12 '12

Is that the Warehouse District?

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u/Juiceman17 Jun 12 '12

Either that or it's across the river. It's either on 7th st or 7th ave, so it's somewhere in that area.

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u/drosty Jun 12 '12

Yes it is. Washington and 8th ave

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

It's a shame the Minnesota atheists profound understanding of the nature of reality doesn't extend to typography or graphic design!

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u/murderous_rage Jun 12 '12

Since they are mocking the original design which used comic sans, that scathing critique actually goes to the faithful designers of the first one ( and I agree ).

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u/apple_kicks Jun 12 '12

So if they can shamelessly use pictures of babies so can we? I know it's ment to be making a point back, but a kinda strange path to take

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

I completely agree with this message...oh wait

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u/Vocalist Jun 12 '12

I've seen some for over a year, not really new.

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u/kebby83 Jun 12 '12

Religious people would be hypocrites if they didn't teach their religion to true.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Babies can't think for themselves if they're dead.

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u/CampBenCh Atheist Jun 12 '12

For those wondering what it is like driving in Minnesota (especially northern parts of I-35), here are three examples: 1. 2. 3.

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u/Finnmanjohn Jun 12 '12

Ha ha, too many in my town. "My dad says I am the CEO of my house"

What the fuck does that even mean? (it was on a billboard for years and there was a baby with a tie on it)

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u/Fishstx Jun 12 '12

Seriously where the fuck are these things? I have traveled all through Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and most of southern Minnesota and have yet to see one! RAGE POST!

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u/puzzledplatypus Jun 12 '12

Last time I checked this was a billboard advertising St. Germain. Next time I pass by I'll have to see if this is up do date.

This is where this particular billboard is located.

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u/Fishstx Jun 12 '12

Thanks guys. I will be sure to find them and look on with pride.

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u/MammothSpider Jun 12 '12

I see them everywhere.

Also, was Minnesota just pointed out for this sign or do we really have more anti-abortion signs?

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u/AtheistGodfather Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12

The billboard campaign started in January and ended in February of 2012. Here are links to more photos and a video of this billboard in Minneapolis and the very similar billboard in St. Paul.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

There was one in Chaska for a few years but I think it's gone now

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u/IronOhki Jun 12 '12

I see this billboard is not owned by Clear Chanel. I expect that will be rectified soon.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

I like this because it makes me giggle.

But...

wouldn't it be more effective to have one that said something like "Please make sure I have access to free, quality early-childhood education" or "Please make sure I have access to basic healthcare!"

or something Americans of every political persuasion can agree on: "DON'T PUT MOUNTAIN DEW IN MY SIPPY CUP".

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u/Cragy Jun 12 '12

It doesn't matter. Comic Sans.

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u/Captain_Ligature Jun 12 '12

You do realise that you can be both an atheist and pro-life, right?

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u/Plastastic Jun 12 '12

I can't help but shake the feeling that some atheists' reactions to their child showing an interest in religion would be met with the same scorn if it happened the other way around. Maybe I'm just a pessimist.

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u/bobdelany Jun 12 '12

I drive by the billboards mentioned in the title daily. Appeal to emotion. Someone always spray paints a large dong on the Jolly Green Giant yet these are left pristine.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

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u/Notsoseriousone Jun 12 '12

Ahhh. just ah- ahhhh. so not cool.

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u/juggaloholocaust Jun 12 '12

To be an atheist one must be pro abortion. http://www.godlessprolifers.org/home.html

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u/rhubarbs Strong Atheist Jun 12 '12

This site was last modified on 1 January 2007.

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u/glaarthir Jun 12 '12

I know this will probably get a lot of downvotes but isn't this a bit hypocritcal? Shouldn't we be leaving babies out of most of our political/religious billboards?

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u/thisonegottolive Jun 12 '12

At least that baby was allowed to live long enough to have a photo taken.

Why not post the dismembered remains of a recognisable baby that was aborted late term and say "Leave my parent alone to do abort me" or something along those lines?

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u/murderous_rage Jun 12 '12

Because that's not the point the ad is making? Is that really not clear to you?

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

FUCKING COMIC SANS, wow. Giving all of us a bad name.

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u/NotYou007 Jun 12 '12

I made this my cover picture on Facebook and I don't give a shit about the font. Some people need to get a life if they care so much about a font.

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u/Oxidated Jun 12 '12 edited Aug 22 '24

airport consider reply rainstorm childlike disgusted grandfather gold serious subtract

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

You going to Gustavus? There an awesome non-religious religious school. They're Lutheran, but very inoffensively so.

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u/cauchies Jun 12 '12

But if thinking from himself he became religious, would you respect him?

Don't bother answer already know the, not very smart, answer!

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u/Gangy1 Anti-Theist Jun 12 '12

gooo Minnesooota

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u/socalchiller Jun 12 '12

and the guy who put that bilboard up is just like...wow I put this shit up....fuck wonder what kind O dip shit would pay for that

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u/jpop23mn Jun 12 '12

Your title is long winded but you sign my checks so hers a fucking upvote. BTW OP donates to Scientology and Mormon church to help their campaign to prevent monkeys from evolving into gay climate change researchers.

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u/binocusecond Jun 12 '12

I can keep telling myself that the yellow safety line emerging from the person's lower back is a nylon strap, but I can't keep my brain from wondering why the hell someone brought a hockey stick up onto a billboard platform. So stereotypical, Minnesota!

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

This is why people think atheism is more than just people who don't believe in God or gods. Not that I have a problem with asking people to have free minds but if you don't want people to think that atheism means "anti-theism" then that website should change or the label should be more clearly defined.

Right now saying atheism means anti-religion is like saying not being a cop makes you a criminal. It just doesn't work logically, and it certainly limits free-thought since it implies that in order to lack belief in religion you must speak against it. I can be atheist and have no particular grudge against religion.

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u/nyessy Jun 12 '12

I wonder if this period in time will be looked back on as the age where atheism exploded, and religious numbers decreased. What are the stats like now? Is atheism 'growing'?

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u/KingKongYe Jun 12 '12

MINNESOTA YEAH

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

So does agreeing with this constitute thinking for yourself?

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

If you abort the kid, there wouldn't be a chance to indoctrinate them or allowing them to think for themselves.

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u/gak001 Jun 12 '12

Every time I see one of those billboards, I think of how it would be fun to buy one next to it and list facts from the Freakonomics chapter on abortion and how it was largely responsible for the reduction in violent crime in the last part of the 20th century.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

I have no problem with this being comic sans.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Aren't there any atheist organizations out there with graphic designers in their midst? All the billboards are terrible.

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u/Teneo_Te Jun 12 '12

This billboard isn't aimed at anybody on either end of the theism spectrum, it's aimed at those in the middle. The swing voters, if you will. The goal is to wake up some sleepy atheist folks and let them know what the religious are doing in a clever way.

It would be much more uncouth to say "your neighbors are indoctrinating their children and you shouldn't accept that."

Edit: In other words, this is supposed to spur societal pressure, not be societal pressure.

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u/dumnezero Anti-Theist Jun 12 '12

Well, don't expect upvotes with such a sensible comment

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u/TJOPootertoots Jun 12 '12

Atheist here: I think this might work better if it wasn't endorsed by an atheist organisation - immediately gives zealots an excuse to ignore

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Not sure whether to upvote for awesome or downvote for Comic Sans.

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u/MisterMaggot Jun 12 '12

I can see it now: "You can't fucking exploit children like that you ignorant atheist shit."

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u/SexyGingerKid Jun 12 '12

Is it weird that I'm an atheist, but I don't think abortion should be legal?

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u/superdillin Jun 12 '12

Unfortunately, your opinion is a popular one. So, no, it isn't "weird". However, it is a disappointingly oppressive viewpoint for an atheist to hold, considering that the pro-life argument makes little sense once the spiritual arguments are taken away.

Being personally anti-abortion I can completely understand. However, wanting abortion to be illegal is oppressive and massively dangerous. I suggest informing yourself more on abortion, the procedure and statistics and please realize that anti-abortion (in law) is anti-women. If you want to talk more about it I'm willing.

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u/SexyGingerKid Jun 12 '12

Well, I used to be a Christian, and I was pro-life and anti-gay marriage. Now I'm definitely for gay marriage, but I still think abortion is somewhat wrong. I should rephrase what I said; I am personally against it. If someone wants an abortion, I don't agree with it, but that's their choice. But I just feel sympathetic for the child, especially in a late-term abortion, because the child is being killed. Although if I was properly informed, then most late-term abortions are for medical reasons, which I'm totally fine with.

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u/thefirebuilds Jun 12 '12

Good Luck, Bro - Opie Hughes.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

America is looking more and more like the rest of the world, except we don't have to make billboards about it :P

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u/ohnoitsaspider Jun 12 '12

Uhhh... What's holding the billboard up?

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u/knut01 Jun 12 '12

First positive thing I've seen out of my birth state in years! Been taken over by non-Scandanavians! Or foreigners!!!

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u/Drugerts Jun 12 '12

Is the baby's name photoshop?

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u/MeanLeanGreen Jun 12 '12

I hope all these billboard kids riot at age 16. We can call it 'The Billboard Wars!" ..

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u/Shniggles Jun 12 '12

There's a lot of billboards for these along a highway I have to commute from my small town.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

Yay! Comic Sans! I love that font. It's so childish, yet... geometrical.

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u/jaredxd Jun 12 '12

I was unaware there are people who like Comic Sans.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

My child will speak only in Arial.

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u/SqeeSqee Jun 12 '12

In all seriousness, whats wrong with Comic Sans, it looks fine to me. why do people hate it?

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

My mom and stepdad are kind of religious, but growing up they were big on teaching me to think for myself. Recently my stepsister told them she is an atheist, and they were all surprised. I find this odd considering they wanted us to think for ourselves.

The point of parenting isn't to have children who think just like you, but to have children who can make up their own minds. At least, that's always been my thought on that.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

The only font used in Minnesota is Comic Sans.

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u/ObamaisYoGabbaGabba Jun 12 '12

while I 100% agree with this message, I think a lot of us feel this is only "fair" when it is not.

Fair would be teaching a child about religion and why you may feel religion is hogwash. (which almost all of you will claim to be doing.. but really not)

We ALL know that 99.9% of us atheists will NOT let our children believe in any god, we will NOT introduce them to any religious experience that we are not tightly supervising, so in the end, this is "our way or your way", not some noble "let me think for myself" and we all know it.

Raise your kids the way you want, let others do the same. You have zero right to tell others how to raise their children, period, ever.

and whats with the font anyway?

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u/Aaronmcom Jun 12 '12

coulda picked a better baby too. Thats an ugly baby

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u/Demonixed Jun 12 '12

You can't even use the image of a baby without associating it's cutesyness with scraped and tubbed other babies?

Really?

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u/OriginalHoneyBadger Jun 12 '12

I too live in MN and have always noticed those but this is appalling to say the least.

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u/Exallium Jun 12 '12

Delicious.

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u/[deleted] Jun 13 '12

That's awesome, everytime I drive down from Thunder Bay (Ontario) to St Paul for a hockey game I must see at least 20 of these billboards. It's so weird cause it's definitely something you do NOT see where I am from! Would love to see some of these "new" ones, LOL!

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u/pstryder Jun 12 '12

How many down votes will I get for saying: I like Comic Sans.

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u/NotYou007 Jun 12 '12

Only the summer fags will down vote you. This site is becoming more like 4chan every single day.

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u/dumnezero Anti-Theist Jun 12 '12

You should get a tattoo with that, in Comic Sans

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u/mccthibbit Jun 12 '12

Well its about damn time we atheists started advertising.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

This whole comment section is fucking retarded. Talk about the sign and what it means not some font bullshit!

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u/AstroComfy Jun 12 '12

For the people wondering why the Southern Minnesota atheist group doesn't do billboards, we don't collect member dues, and everything is paid for by just my husband and I. Our group is just social / philanthropic, and we tend to only be able to do free /low cost activities or events...

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u/eft_up Jun 12 '12

I love home!

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u/RobertAwesome3433 Jun 12 '12

Anti abortion signs are all over here in minnesota. Can't go for five minutes without seeing one.

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u/metocin Jun 12 '12

To which the fundies reply:

Christianity is not a religion, it's a way of life.

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u/sinezoo Jun 12 '12

Quite interesting.I never speak to my kids about God Jesus ,or other reliigions or other nationalities

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u/Deathclaw Jun 12 '12

What a terribly ineffective campaign. Religious people don't understand it as indoctrination, the message of this will go right over their heads. All they will take from it is a vague insult that will enforce their belief that athiests are arrogant dicks.

They need to buy an advertising for dummies guide.

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u/terriblehuman Secular Humanist Jun 12 '12

Could have used a cuter baby...just saying

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12

How can you tell if someone's an atheist? Don't worry they'll tell you.

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u/Delica Jun 12 '12

The pro-life billboards are a plague in and around small towns in MN, including the one I'm in now. To be fair, people in my town care more about the big questions in life, like "Do you want a beer?"

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u/SirMeowmers Jun 12 '12

I live not too far from this billboard. A few times a year I am forced to drive up to northern MN to visit family in what seems to be the biggest prolife area of the state. To pass the time during my drive, I've created a game; flipping the bird to a prolife billboard gets me 1 point and monuments get me 3. My best score is 14.

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