This Easter weekend, the American Atheists are holding their national convention in Des Moines.
There are so many attendees that they've had to book the Marriott downtown along with the Embassy Suites.
A resident of Des Moines thinks that the American Atheists' prominent billboards around town are unnecessary since if there is no God, there is no need for billboards. A number of residents were offended and called in to the Iowa Atheists to complain. They calmed down after learning that the billboards were promoting the convention.
More than 700 people are expected at the convention. They'll get t-shirts, de-baptized and can even sign up for atheist credit cards.
American Atheists' President Dave Silverman acknowledged that Easter weekend was intentionally selected. He also said that Des Moines was chosen because the political process begins there and because the religious right influenced the Iowa Supreme Court's judicial retention elections over gay marriage.
The Des Moines Area Religious Council is headed by a Presbyterian minister who is married to an atheist. She says the atheists are sort of like a religion since they are so organized and as such, are welcome to join the religious council.
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