American Atheists: "War on Christmas" billboard

American Atheists, a national atheist organization, paid $20,000 for a provocative anti-Christmas billboard lining I-495. The billboard features the infamous nativity scene with the three wise men riding camels toward a manger where a woman and man are kneeling beside a straw lined bassinet. In big white letters, a message reads, “You know it’s a myth. This season, celebrate reason!”

Naturally, the American Atheists have received some backlash for the billboard, but according to The New York Times, David Silverman, president of the American Atheists, said the billboard serves two purposes. The first reason being to get people who do not actually believe in God but practice religious rituals to “come out;” and the second reason is the atheists’ way of standing up to reactionary assault.

“Every year, atheists get blamed for having a war on Christmas, even if we don’t do anything,” he said. “This year, we decided to give the religious right a taste of what war on Christmas looks like.”

What are your thoughts on the billboard? Is it offensive towards religion or do they make a valid point?