The Freedom from Religion Foundation has sponsored some billboards across the U.S. that say “Imagine no religion.”

That’s pretty easy. Imagine millions of hours of effort and billions of dollars of aid donated by faith-based organizations suddenly gone.

Imagine tens of thousands of homeless people with no shelter because missions are closed, and as many hungry people who no longer have any food that used to be delivered by people of faith.

Here’s my problem: my faith isn’t threatened by billboards, and I’m up for whatever intelligent discussion might be created. But I am irritated by trickery.

FfRF says it is dedicated to separation of church and state. That is freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

Personally, I’m all for freedom FROM stupidity because I see much more damage being done by stupidity than misguided religion. Unfortunately my freedom FROM anything means restricting somebody else, in this case the stupid. And it also sets me up as judge and ruler: who am I to judge what is stupid and what is not?

Since I believe in freedom OF speech instead of freedom FROM speech, I’ll support your right to a billboard. But be honest about your objectives, “free thinkers” as you call yourselves, and acknowledge that your desired freedom requires the suppression of what others believe.

I’ve gotten along fine all these years with those I disagree with and never started a campaign to free myself from them. Seems like agreeing to disagree isn’t enough from the Freedom from Religion folks.