Atheist Billboard Campaign Targets Southern California

An atheist billboard campaign has been launched near Riverside, California that encourages nonbelievers to explore their lack of faith in a community setting.

The billboard campaign, started by the Inland Empire Coalition for Reason, includes a billboard alongside Interstate 215 on the outskirts of the city of Riverside. The sign reads: "Don't believe in a God? You are not alone" with a link to the atheist group's website.

The billboard has reportedly been made possible by the larger Washington, D.C.-based United Coalition of Reason, which donated $6,500 to have the sign erected.

"We want people to know that nontheistic folks like us are a regular part of communities all over the area," Inland Empire Coalition of Reason coordinator Jan Goings told the local CBS News station in regard to the sign.

"Nontheists are your friends and neighbors, your coworkers and family members. Our non-theistic community focuses on service, and we care deeply about bringing justice and help to others: being good without a god," Goings added.

Rebecca Kitchings, founder of the Greater Riverside Skeptics Forum, voiced her support for the billboards to the Press-Enterprise.

"Nonbelievers have been vilified and isolated," Kitchings said told the local media outlet. "This is an attempt to say, 'Don't think of us so badly. We're your friends, neighbors and family.'"

"We want to create a community for people who haven't had a community before," Kitchings added.

Several other atheist organizations throughout the U.S. have also established their own billboard campaigns to attract new members to their organizations. Atheist billboard endeavors are especially popular during the holiday season.