Rick Santorum Thanks American Atheists for Billboard Campaign
Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has issued a "thank you" to the American Atheists organization for quoting him on a recent Texas billboard that encourages Americans to "Go Godless Instead."
The billboard, one of seven posted in Texas to commemorate the 50th anniversary of American Atheists, includes a quote from the former Pennsylvania senator that reads: "Our civil laws have to comport with a higher law. God's law," referencing a 2011 speech by Santorum at the The Family Leader's Thanksgiving Family Forum.
The billboard also includes a photo of Santorum, and in large letters at the bottom it reads: "Go Godless Instead."
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In a recent fundraising email, Santorum reportedly thanked the atheist organization, one of the largest secular groups in the country, for posting the billboard featuring his quote.
"I know, it is shocking," Santorum wrote in the email, according to Raw Story.
"And you know what I said back to the American Atheists who purchased that billboard? Thank you. Thank you for helping me publicly express my strong belief that we need to continue to be one nation under God. And I think you would agree with that statement," Santorum added.
Santorum went on to say that the American Atheists' new billboard campaign serves as proof that Christians in the country must stand up for what they believe, now more than ever.
"This is also a reminder that there are strong forces against the fundamental beliefs that you and I hold so dear," Santorum added.
"They are organizing with determination to transform the very fabric of our country. The stakes are simply too high for us to sit back and ignore the progress they are making," he concluded.
The new billboard campaign also features quotes from GOP and Christian leaders, including former GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin, Dallas-based Pastor Robert Jeffress, recently retired Pope Benedict XVI and former GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.
According to American Atheists President David Silverman, the purpose of the campaign is to expose those featured on the billboards for their alleged "bigoted and backwards remarks and attitudes."
Critics have been wary of the effectiveness of the new campaign, especially because it has recently been exposed as misquoting former Alaska Governor Palin on one of its billboards.
Robert Jeffress, pastor of the Dallas-based megachurch First Baptist Church, recently said that the atheist organization's decision to feature him in the billboard campaign proves that his congregation is on the right track.
"Any day we are being attacked by the American Atheist(s) … we consider it to be a good day," Jeffress, who recently received criticism for preaching on the biblical teaching regarding homosexuality, told The Christian Post on Tuesday. "It only proves that we are doing our job."
