At least three different humanist associations have launched aggressive print ad, billboard, and television campaigns to assist closet atheists and agnostics in “coming out of the closet” this Christmas season. The billboard by the American Atheists even features a nativity scene with the words, “You know it’s a myth…this season, celebrate reason.” AA President Dave Silverman says the campaign is an attempt to encourage those who don’t believe to “get out of the closet so they can say, “Hey, I’m the nice person who gives to charity, who pays his taxes, who’s part of our family, who’s an atheist.” A recent poll showing 15% of Americans with no religious affiliation is boosting the organizations’ confidence. Interestingly, some believers say the ads only force people to decide what they believe—and some are deciding they really do believe after all.
