Sam Simon spent his fortune on atheist billboards

[trotsky]

I did not know this!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/the-simpsons/11461284/Sam-Simons-atheist-billboards.html

Sam Simon, who died on Sunday after a long battle with colon cancer, was known for his compassion for animals, his philanthropy, and for being the co-creator of one of the most popular animated televisions shows of all time, The Simpsons.

...

Using the "tens of millions" he made each year from The Simpsons, he helped fund the group's regular "atheist billboards" campaigns, in which prominent signs urging people to dare to question their beliefs and ditch religion pop up in cities across the US.

The boards – which offer an alternative to the aggressive religious "marketing" often seen in the US – famously included a sign reading: "You KNOW it's a Myth... This Season Celebrate REASON", which appeared in New York in Christmas 2010. (For the record: the board in question featured an image of the nativity, not an image of Father Christmas).

...

In an interview last year, Simon, who donated $100 million of his fortune to charity, referenced his lack of religious when asked about the motivation behind his generosity, telling Vanity Fair: “People say I’m trying to buy my way into heaven, which I don’t believe in. So that can’t be true.”

Oh dear, guess that makes Mr. Simon one of those horrible vocal "New Atheists."

[Warren Stupidity]

1. Wow! Just wow.

I believe both of these were discussed in the toxic forum and the Office of the Perpetually Offended put both of these on the list.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. "Trying to buy my way into heaven"

Although I think that there are evil assholes who do try to buy their way into heaven, it is pretty hilarious to say that to an atheist. I wonder if the people who made that comment to him knew he was an atheist, or if they are that dim.

[mountain grammy]

3. They are just that dim..

[AlbertCat]

4. They are just that dim..

Yes. You just haven't heard about his deathbed conversion yet. Y'see, right before he pass away.....

[progressoid]

6. Doncha know that most atheists change their mind on their death bed?

Just before you take your final breath, you'll change your mind too. Mark my words.

I read on the internet that it happens all the time.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. Then it must be true

because it is on the internet.

I know only three atheists who have died, and I was at the death bed of one, and I did not see them change their minds.

One actually chose physician assisted suicide, which was a moral sin in the religion he was raise with. One refused to allow a priest into his hospital room. And one went peacefully without one word about maybe being wrong.

But that is only three people. I can guarantee when it is my time to go, there will have been four people.

[RussBLib]

5. so THAT's how American Atheists was putting up all those billboards

...hopefully another millionaire will take the reins and keep the "faith"

[progressoid]

7. Good for him.

And good for America. Thanks Sam.

[trotsky]

8. Well, according to a person who is more perfect than anyone else they know...

By funding these billboards, Sam was no different than a street preacher screaming at folks walking by that they're going to hell.

No different at all.

[Rob H.]

10. That story's more than a little misleading...

which is probably why some anti-atheists are beside themselves with glee.

'The Simpsons Co-Creator Sam Simons Dies, Leaving His Fortune to Charity

*snip*

“After being given three months to live following a cancer diagnosis in 2012, Simon dedicated his $100 million fortune to charitable causes, chiefly the Sam Simon Foundation, which provides service dogs for returning veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and the hearing impaired.”

*snip*

Simon dedicated much of his life to the treatment of animals and others, and several charities have received a lot of money due to his altruism. He’s given to “a dog-rescue haven in Malibu, PETA, Save the Children, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.”

*snip*

Simon said of his money:

“The truth is, I have more money than I’m interested in spending… Everyone in my family is taken care of. And I enjoy this.”

The gloating anti-atheists should STFU about how he chose to spend his money, imo.

[trotsky]

11. Agreed.

But they can't help themselves. Some are desperate to justify their personal narrative that atheists like Simon are "just as bad" as the religious fundamentalists who fly planes into buildings and bomb abortion clinics.

[uriel1972]

12. Yah like putting up billboards kills people...nt