The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its Albuquerque chapter have put up a billboard with a well-timed message in New Mexico's largest city.

A billboard has been installed at 152 Montano Road NW with a patriotic slogan superimposed on the image of a waving U.S. flag: "Keep Religion OUT of Government." The display, paid for by the national Freedom From Religion Foundation, debuted on Monday and will be up for a month.

"This is a timely reminder to our new government that our nation was founded on the uniquely American principle that religion should stay out of the public sphere," says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "The framers of our godless Constitution were wise to realize the wars, strife, terrorism and persecution go hand in hand when religion is allied with government. The incoming administration would do well to remember that."

The activists with FFRF's local chapter are thrilled to spread the word about the organization — especially at a time like this.

"As our country faces a challenging transition, we want to remind its citizens that it is imperative to honor the intentions of our Founders," says Freedom From Religion-Albuquerque Vice President Kristen Gandy. "We also want to let secular individuals within our local area know that they are not alone in their values. Nontheists have a place in New Mexico to come to participate in activism, to let their godless voices be heard, and be supported in their constitutional rights with our local organization."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its local chapter work to promote the viewpoint of freethinkers, including atheists and agnostics, and to protect the constitutional principle of separation between religion and government. FFRF has more than 24,000 members, including 200-plus in New Mexico.