A national group of atheists is amending the text of a large roadside billboard after admitting that it misquoted former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a new campaign to encourage Americans to "Go Godless Instead."
American Atheists rolled out the new signage over the weekend ahead of their 50th anniversary celebration, set to take place at the end of the month.
One of the billboards featured Palin, alongside the quotation, "We should create law based on the God of the Bible.”
The quote is a reference to a May 2010 appearance by Palin on Fox News, in which she denounced the backlash against the National Day of Prayer. At the time she suggested that critics were ignoring the Founding Fathers in their opposition to the large-scale expression of faith.
"I think we should kind of keep this clean, keep it simple, go back to what our founders and our founding documents meant," she advised. "They're quite clear that we would create law based on the God of the Bible and the Ten Commandments."
CNN reports that American Atheists public relations director Dave Muscato has admitted that the word "should" should not appear in quotes and has announced plans to make the correction.
But Muscato and American Atheists President David Silverman told CNN that the “intent and context” of the billboard remains accurate.
“Ms. Palin would stand by what we have quoted her as saying," Silverman claimed in a statement to CNN.
Palin isn't the only Republican politician being used to promote the group's event. Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich are both featured in other billboards, alongside accurate quotations.
(Click here for all of the group's new billboards)
American Atheists have drawn attention for their controversial displays in the past. In December, the group rolled out its latest version of a billboard opposing the religious celebration of Christmas in New York City's Times Square.
The Huffington Post | By Nick Wing Posted: 03/05/2013 11:30 am EST