This just in: the American Humanist Association is launching a new "national" ad campaign similar to its controversial ads in Washington, D.C., last year, where the group is based. The ads will appear in transit systems in five cities: Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Featuring pictures of smiling people wearing Santa hats, the ads seems to be again intended to stir up publicity with their provocative message: "No God? ... No Problem!"

Just in time for Christmas shopping season: The first ads will appear in Washington by this weekend, in 200 buses, 50 train cars and on the sides or backs of 20 buses. Starting in December, they'll also appear on buses in the other four cities.

"We're hoping this campaign will build awareness about the humanist movement and our ethical life philosophy -- particularly among the 'nones': the rapidly growing percentage of people who claim no religion," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, in the news release.

"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."

Speckhardt adds that many people "feel uncomfortable talking openly about their personal beliefs because of prejudice against them -- they fear they'll be rejected by their family, their friends and their community, and in some cases, they even fear retaliation for their beliefs. But the American Humanist Association provides an accepting community for non-theists to turn to for support and ways to get involved."

Negative reactions to past ads have included Cincinnati billboard that had to be relocated after the owner of the billboard property said he received threats, and another in Moscow, Idaho, that was vandalized twice in a three-week period, the group says.

What do you think of the American Humanist Association's attempts to, er, evangelize its non-theistic message in a Christmas-time advertising blitz?

By Leslie Miller, USA TODAY