Take that, atheists.
New York Catholics, furious about an atheist-sponsored billboard calling Christmas “a myth,” lashed out with a counter-attack today — a billboard of their own that defends the celebration of the birth of Christ.
The billboard erected by the Catholic League went up near the New York side of the Lincoln Tunnel, at Dyer Avenue and 31st Street, in a bid to offset the anti-Christmas billboard at the tunnel’s New Jersey entrance.
“We decided to counterpunch after a donor came forward seeking to challenge the anti-Christmas statement by American Atheists,” said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League.
The new billboard, measuring 26-feet by 24-feet, carries an image of Joseph and Mary looking down on baby Jesus in his manger. “You know it’s real: This Season, Celebrate Jesus,” the sign proclaims. “Merry Christmas from the Catholic League.”
“So after Christian motorists have had their sensibilities assaulted as they exit New Jersey, they will experience a sense of joy, and satisfaction, as they enter New York City,” said Donohue.
The league’s billboard was prompted by a 14-foot by 48-foot sign that was posted above the New Jersey entrance to the tunnel on Nov. 22 by the organization, American Atheists, which plans to keep it there for a month.
Atheists also included a depiction of a baby in a manger with its parents looking on and the slogan, “You know it’s a myth. This season, celebrate reason!”
The Catholic League’s sign was a welcome sight for two New Jersey women driving out of the tunnel with the new billboard in full view.
“We agree, Jesus is the reason for the season,” said Antonique Smith, who was driving into Manhattan with her sister Yolanda Smith.
But Michael Gerber, 27, a Catholic from Hoboken, said he doesn’t see the need to one-up the atheists.
“It doesn’t need to be plastered on a billboard,” Gerber said of the pro-Christmas message. “I should be able to celebrate in my own way. And if it’s tit for tat, it defeats the spirit of Christmas.”
Donohue said the billboard bolstering Christmas as a celebration of Jesus’s birth would will be in place for a month. The $18,500 cost was paid for by an anonymous donor who was upset about the athiest message in New Jersey.
“He called me and said I want you to do something about it,” Donohue said of the donor, who he would only describe as an 80-year-old New Yorker.
“I have nothing against athiests,” said Donohue. “I have something against militiant, in-your-face atehiests that use our season to make their statements.”