Humanists aim ad campaign at Christmas

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The American Humanist Association hopes to take the Christ out of Christmas with ads featuring people in Santa Hats preaching atheism.

The campaign starts this weekend in Washington, where the group has purchased space on the sides of 200 buses, USA Today reports. The ads are set to appear in four other cities this month.

The association's message is "No God? No problem." Roy Speckhardt said the ads are especially aimed at the "nones," a growing group of people in the United States who do not claim allegiance to any religion.

"Humanists have always understood that striving to make the world a better place is one of humanity's most important responsibilities," Speckhardt said. "Religion does not have a monopoly on morality -- millions of people are good without believing in God."

Liberty Counsel Public Relations, creator of the "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign," blasted the humanists.

Mathew D. Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University School of Law, called the ad campaign "insensitive and mean."

"It is the ultimate 'grinch' to suggest there is no God during a holiday where millions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ," Staver said.