(MintPress) — Billboards attacking political candidates’ faith are emerging as a way for atheist organizations to spread their message. And while the advertisements are protected under free speech, they call into question a possible double standard. While it’s somewhat socially acceptable for certain religious and nonreligious organizations to publicly criticize others, that isn’t always the case.

The billboard campaigns comes in the midst of a politically-charged atmosphere of religious intolerance, with tea party-affiliated politicians claiming the need to inject Christianity directly into government — a move that some Americans claim alienates anyone who holds to a different belief.

The most recent example of the anti-religion movement comes in North Carolina, where the organization American Atheists is preparing to launch a billboard campaign targeting Christianity and Mormonism — the faiths of the two major party candidates, President Barack Obama and Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney.

The billboard aimed at Christianity refers to God as “sadistic,” while the Mormon-focused advertisement refers to God as a “space alien.”

The location is not coincidental, as it is host to this year’s Democratic National Convention. American Atheists plans on showcasing the billboard throughout the event, Sept. 3-6. Attempts to display the same billboard in Tampa, Fla. during the Republican National Convention at the end of August were turned down, at least the one that attacked Mormonism.

Of course, the companies who own the billboards have discretion over what messages are presented on their big screens. While successful in North Carolina, American Atheists was not able to convince any of the billboard agencies in Tampa, Fla. to allow it to rent space for anti-Mormon billboards.

“Some companies turned us down because of the content,” American Atheists president David Silverman told MintPress, “but fortunately we found somebody.”

With a growing trend of atheism and agnosticism in America — far outpacing Christianity, Mormonism and Islam — it seems a different standard has been set. Its growing trend has also contributed to a movement of people who, like religious organizations, want their voices heard in the political sphere.

Silverman admits it’s a broad movement, and not all atheists agree. Yet it’s one that’s demanding attention.

Reasonable or offensive?

The argument on behalf of American Atheists is that religion plays too large of a role in American politics. While that’s a message that could possibly be agreed upon by people of all faiths, the method the organization is taking could be seen as shrill, perhaps harsh.

Silverman said that the intent of the billboard is to draw attention to the issue of religion in politics. And while many see the billboards as offensive, Silverman claims that’s just not the case.

“There’s nothing alarming about the billboards, we’re not threatening anybody or hurting anybody,” he said. “They (the public) should view them as truthful and honest … and if somebody has a silly belief, they should be prepared to talk about it.”

The billboards set to launch in Charlotte, N.C. send two strong messages. Each one takes on a rather blunt look at the two religions.

In one, it targets Mormonism, depicting the message, “God Is A Space Alien; Baptizes Dead People; Big Money, Big Bigotry.” The message appears alongside a glowing man dressed in white, presumably depicting the angel Moroni, whom Mormons believe appeared to Joseph Smith, the founder of the religion.

Christianity is the focus of the other billboard. The group takes aim at Christianity using the following descriptions: “Sadistic God; Useless Savior; 30,000+ Versions of ‘Truth’; Promotes Hate, Calls it ‘Love.’” The description sits next to a piece of toast with the face most recognizably belonging to Jesus Christ.

The billboards are rounded off with the organization’s slogan, “Atheism: Simply Reasonable.”

Double standard?

Billboard advertising is unique, as it’s often hard for travelers to ignore — you can’t turn the channel, and by the time you look away, the message has already been absorbed. And it’s not uncommon for religious — and atheist — organizations to target the landscapes in their attempt to get the message out.

While many of these signs are peaceful, some have taken on more of a radical stance — a view held by those in the public and not necessarily by those involved in sponsoring organizations. And depending on where the voice is coming from, and who it targets, the reaction from the public varies.

In recent years, anti-Islam billboards have been put up throughout the country by Christian organizations. In 2010, the Christian Action Network (CAN) rented a billboard in South Carolina, which included the text, “Islam Rising … Be Warned.” The billboard drew criticism by some, but was backed up by CAN.

An advertisement on the side of a bus in New York City, sponsored by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), included the offensive comment, “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad.”

No religion in politics? No religion at all

Silverman said the main purpose of the billboards in South Carolina is to draw attention to the faiths of those running for president of the United States, and how their faiths may dictate the way they perform their duties.

To a degree, Silverman and his organization could agree with many people, even those of faith, within the political world. But the organization doesn’t stop there, taking it a step beyond the argument that religion should not be talked about within the political sphere. It’s not only about whether Obama and Romney bring their faith into politics — it’s about the fact that they believe at all.

“Of course it would be an issue if a person actually believes in silly things, but more importantly if he bases his decisions on his beliefs,” he told MintPress.

Silverman used the example of Mormonism to get his point across, reinforcing the notion that anyone with a faith should be examined — an argument that would rule out a majority of American politicians. For Silverman, it matters — period.

“If Mitt Romney actually believed in baptizing dead people or that his underwear is magic, do we want that person in office,” Silverman told MintPress.

His approach toward all religions could, perhaps, be compared to differences faiths have among one another. When asked whether his organization’s harsh approach toward faith groups would be tolerated if it were launched by a religious campaign, Silverman told MintPress people of all faiths have the right to express how they feel — yet it is still the goal of his organization to have all political leaders in this country serve without allegiance to a religion.

In a way, it’s similar to political groups who feel their religion should be injected into the political world, without exception.