A battle between Christians and atheists is turning out to be something of a financial boon for Metro Transit.

A Monroe church has launched a response this week to a campaign by the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, with both groups advertising heavily on the city’s public buses.

The foundation’s six signs began appearing on the inside of 50 Metro Transit buses Feb. 23 and will be up for two months. Each sign bears a quotation from someone famous — Katharine Hepburn, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain — questioning religion or stating why they are atheists.

A quote from Butterfly McQueen, the actress who played Prissy in the movie "Gone With the Wind," says, "As my ancestors are free from slavery, I am free from the slavery of religion."

This week, Pilgrims Covenant Church in Monroe said it has purchased space on the outside of 11 Metro Transit buses for an ad that quotes Psalm 14:1: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." The ads, which cover a large part of one side of each bus, will rotate among bus routes over the next month.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Ralph Ovadal, said the foundation has a right to air its opinion, "and we have the privilege to respond with truth from the word of God." He is known for high-profile protests against gay rights and for a long-running effort to close down a nude beach near Mazomanie.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, foundation co-president, said her group’s signs are thought-provoking while the church’s resort to name-calling. "I think they took the lesser path."

Responded Ovadal: "They provide statements mocking the Lord, we’re just passing along what the Lord has said."

Both parties said they appreciate the ability to debate their views in the marketplace.

"It stimulates the economy," Gaylor said "We feel it’s kind of patriotic to advertise on Metro Transit."

The foundation is spending $2,100 on its campaign, the church about $5,000. "Any ad sales help Metro," said spokesman Mick Rusch. Two people have complained about the foundation ads, he said.

Gaylor said the foundation is considering coming back with ads for the outsides of buses but hasn’t settled on a slogan. One finalist, she said, is "Sleep in on Sundays."