An atheist organization repeatedly rebuffed by the County of Lackawanna Transit System will finally see one of its advertisements on a COLTS bus.

The difference this time?

The word "atheists" appears nowhere in the ad, which instead just promotes the NEPA Freethought Society and its website.

The organization has signed a contract with COLTS for a king-size ad — 12 feet by 2½ feet — that will be displayed on the driver's side of a COLTS bus for one month, spokeswoman Gretchen Wintermantel said Monday.

The ad, which cost the group $235, is expected to appear beginning this week, she said.

At least three times since 2012, COLTS has rejected another ad proposed by the organization that would have displayed the word "atheists" in large print above the group's name and website. The agency said the ad violated its policy barring advertising that promotes religious beliefs, including the existence or nonexistence of a supreme being.

COLTS reviewed the new ad and concluded it does not violate the policy, solicitor Timothy Hinton said.

"It's pretty content neutral," he said.

NEPA Freethought Society spokesman Justin Vacula said the ad is intended to raise the group's profile and steer people to its website.

"We hope to appeal to many nonreligious individuals, individuals who are questioning religious beliefs and people who are in favor of government neutrality in matters of religion," he said. "That is the target demographic of the ad."

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com