Atheists to set up anti-God billboard in Mississippi

An atheist organization will put up a highway billboard in Tupelo, Mississippi on July 1 that mocks faith in God.

"God fixation won't fix this nation," is the message that Freedom From Religion Foundation wants to send to the residents of the state, which the Pew Research Center named as one of the most religious states in the U.S., sharing the top spot on the list with Alabama.

Aside from being religious, the magnolia state is also known to have a low quality of life. FFRF pointed out a survey that names it as one of the worst states to live in.

These factors — being religious and having a low quality of life — make the message appropriate for Mississippi, the organization said.

"We lose sight of human needs when we fixate on gods," Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF's co-president, said in the organization's website. "When we have faith in ourselves, we won't need faith in gods."

FFRF said it intends to let the highway billboard, which will be placed at the intersection of Main and Gloster, to remain for a month. The message is an important one especially for the present election year, the organization said.

The message is also meant to attract nontheists in the state, where FFRF has about 100 members.

"Groups like ours provide comfort and solace to folks whose nonbelief can make them feel like outsiders in their own communities," Gaylor said.

According to the Pew Research Center's study, 82 percent of the respondents from Mississippi "believe in God with absolute certainty."

The study also showed that almost 50 percent attend worship services at least once a week, and 75 percent said they pray every day. Seventy-four percent said religion is very important in their lives.

Mississippi is known for passing controversial laws, like HB 1523 or the "religious freedom law."

The law, signed by Gov. Phil Bryant in April, protects the rights of those who refuse services that are against their convictions. This means Mississippi residents can refuse to provide service for situations involving same-sex marriage, transgender people and extramarital sex if its against their beliefs.

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the state, saying the law violates the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.