Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Back in November we told you about a new billboard that's stirring up controversy. This time a new billboard with a different message has gone up in the same location.
Drive past the digital billboard on Blossom Street and you'll see a new faith based advertisement appealing to a different audience. It reads: "We still believe in God and his son Jesus."
The other slide on the billboard reads: "Don't believe in God? You are not alone."
They were placed on Blossom Street near Huger and on Motecello road.
"We thought this would be a clever way to catch attention and it certainly has," says Pastor Sam Catoe with the Park Street Baptist Church.
His church put up the sign as a humorous way to spark debate between those who believe in God and those who don't.
"It's not a matter of competing with them just maybe giving the other side of the picture," said Catoe.
"It's awesome," said Dustin Tucker.
Tucker is from the Columbia Coalition for Reason, which put up the other billboard. Friday he saw the new competition for the first time.
"Anytime I see somebody expressing their first amendment right to free speech and free exercise of religion, I'm excited," said Tucker.
While he says the intent of his organization's billboard is not to offend other religions, he's excited about the exposure and response from the Church.
"Maybe my organization can talk to their church and maybe do some community service work together. That would be great," said Tucker.
"It's there to express our confidence and faith in Christ particularly here at Christmas," said Catoe.
Both side say the billboards are all in good fun, just simply expressing their beliefs, in this case on a fourteen by forty eight foot sign.
"This is a playful attempt to say something different and we thought it would catch attention and it has," said Catoe.
After News19 interviewed the two organizations, we have learned that the groups have reached out to one another. They say they are both interested in working on a joint community service project.