While it’s largely unknown where the signs come from, Atheists United has learned of an effort led by street evangelist Brent Farley, a born-again Christian who produces the “JESUS SAVES” posters that have been largely spotted in the South.
In an interview with Axios last year, Farley said he used to be an atheist but eventually “found God” and decided to create and distribute the signs as a way of spreading his newfound faith. “I put signs up wherever I go,” he said.
At the exhibit, Atheists United featured a dozen or so of Farley’s signs that were taken down in the LA area. Clark said they have tracked around 250 of these signs on their map.
Ted Nunn, an atheist from Texas who learned about Atheist Street Pirates through a news article, manages the map. He marks the locations of religious signs reported by the pirates or by anyone familiar with their work. He confirms the signs and location by looking through Google street view.
Nunn, who traveled from Texas for the exhibition, said he’s not against religious people, but he has a problem with the “influence of religion in the public sphere.”
Dan Barker, a Christian minister turned atheist, understands why people would feel compelled to place this kind of religious signage. He used to do the same, he said.
“I used to think Jesus is going to come any minute now, and it’s either heaven or hell. So maybe there’s some little laws that are broken, but what’s more important than trying to get the message out?” said Barker, who is now co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s board of directors.
“I think most of these signs are sincere. … The people who put them up really, really believe it, or they wouldn’t go through all that trouble,” added Barker, who attended the art exhibition.
Barker noted the right to free speech, but he said this kind of religious signage — without a permit — does not belong on the “public property that belongs to all of us.”
This article originally appeared on ReligionNews.com.
