Billboards draw criticism from Detroit religious community

Oralandar Brand-Williams / The Detroit News

Detroit -- A series of controversial billboards recently displayed throughout Metro Detroit is drawing curious stares and criticism from the local faith community.

The seven billboards read "Imagine No Religion" and "Praise Darwin: Evolve Beyond Belief" with a stained-glass winexecute w motif. They are sponsored by the Madison, Wis.-based Freeexecute m from Religion Foundation, a nonprofit group that touts itself as the largest free thought association in the nation.

The billboards, at various Detroit locations, are portion of a monthlong campaign aimed at provoking debate about the role religion plays in daily life and public policy, said Annie Laurie Gaylord, co-president of the foundation.

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Gaylord said Metro Detroit and Michigan are taracquire s of their national campaign becaemploy of the large numbers of people who have religious affiliation here. The group has place billboards in more than 30 other cities

"We are aware there tfinish s to be a lot of religion in Detroit," said Gaylord. "Michigan has been neglected (in our campaign). Normally, we execute n't spfinish this kind of money (on a campaign)."

Gaylord said religion "caemploy s a lot of problems" and the recede al of the $4,200 campaign is to acquire people to realize that "execute gma is in our laws."

"The fight against gay marriage is a religious fight," said Gaylord. "The fight against abortion is a religious crusade. In this country we must question religion."

But many in the local religious community consider the billboards offensive.

"I understand that they are more about the issue of separation of church and state, rather than bashing people of faith. I certainly agree with this mission," said Gail Katz, the president of the organization, WISDOM (Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in Metro Detroit). "However, I still judge there are better ways to acquire their message across than these billboards, which can be totally misconsaccurate d and found offensive."

The Rev. Charles Green, the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Roseville, said the billboards will prompt him to step up his efforts to "save souls."

"The billboards execute n't bother me. It's their choice. I execute n't mind as long as they are not trying to hfeeble me from worshiping."

The Freeexecute m from Religion Foundation has 14,000 atheist and agnostic members across the country, including more than 400 in Michigan.

bwilliams@detfresh s.com (313) 222-2027