Atheists' group, church battling with bus signs

[March 13, 2009]  MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- An atheists' group and a church are taking their rivalry on the road, using ad space on Madison Transit buses to display their competing messages. The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation is spending $2,100 on six signs appearing for up to two months inside 50 buses. Each sign has a quotation questioning religion or giving reasons for not believing.

A quote from the late actress Butterfly McQueen, who appeared in the movie "Gone With the Wind," says, "As my ancestors are free from slavery, I am free from the slavery of religion."

In response to the ads, Pilgrims Covenant Church in Monroe said this week it purchased space on the outside of 11 Metro Transit buses for an ad quoting Psalm 14, verse 1: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

The church's ads cover a large part of one side of each bus.

The Rev. Ralph Ovadal said the foundation has a right to air its opinion, and the church has "the privilege to respond with truth from the word of God."

The church's ads cost about $5,000.

Madison Metro spokesman Mick Rusch said any ad sales help the bus system.

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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj/

[Associated Press]

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