God's Not Dead 2 Billboard deemed too 'provocative' while atheism ads go unnoticed

Atheist group jabs religion across Cleveland.

Notorious atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has purchased billboard space near Cleveland airport to greet the Republican National Committee (RNC). Meanwhile, a pro-religion message has been disqualified.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Religious persecution continues as the city of Cleveland accepts atheist messages and rejects a "God is Not Dead 2" sign.

A large billboard featuring the statement, "I'd rather Stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God" has been deemed "too political" and "way to incendiary," according to emails obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

The "controversial" billboard was a quote from the film "God's Not Dead 2" and included an image of Melissa Joan Hart, who plays a teacher who started a legal battle after referring to the Bible in a classroom.

Orange Barrel Media, the billboard company prepared to drape a 32x60-foot sign down one side of a large building in downtown Cleveland near the RNC's meeting spot, claimed at the last minute they found the message overly provocative.

According to "insiders," Orange Barrel Media also complained the title of the film was too controversial as well.

In fact, the Media company claimed the RNC had strict rules barring "scandalous" signs; however, the film's distributor, Pure Flix, claimed there would be no issues since GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee appears in the film.

To take things a step further, Pure Flix reported the GOP partnered with them for a worship service before a screening of the film.

Switching tactics, Orange Barrel Media warned Pure Flix the public may have an issue with the message invoked by the pro-religion sign.

The confusion erupted with pointed fingers from both sides, neither of which has claimed responsibility for the loss of "God's Not Dead 2"'s sign placement.

Steve Fedyski, CEO of Pure Flix, paid $64,100 for the sign, which the city of Cleveland decided the sign's placement would be an issue. The city demanded the approval process begin again then denied it altogether.

"I'm perplexed," Fedyski stated. "They dragged us along for weeks. Now, right up against the convention date, they say we aren't approved, and they give us no logical rationale.

"My speculation is that someone, somewhere didn't want our message out. It's hard to understand, considering we've used the same marketing on CNN and other national networks."

Pete Scantland, Orange Barrel Media's CEO, claimed there was "no bias" indented and added: "They picked the building and the size, and advertised that it was available.

"They gave us a budget and deadlines and we met all of it, then they put us on hold. We missed a primary promotional opportunity."

The final nail in the coffin was the sneaky move conducted by notorious atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation, which decided to post a message of their own just outside the convention.

Annie Lauri Gaylor, one of the group's spokespeople, explained: "It's near the airport, right after the 'Welcome to Cleveland' sign. The idea was that people flying in to the convention couldn't miss it."

Gaylor also announced the erection of several atheist billboards at the Democratic National Convention.

Interestingly, none of the atheist group's messages have been challenged.

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