A large new atheist billboard has been unveiled along a San Diego freeway, the result of co-operative work of over 18 atheist and secular groups, which reads "Atheism: A Personal Relationship with Reality."

"We want to express how using intelligence to free oneself of the god idea can open the curtain to a inspiring new outlook," said Debbie Allen, coordinator for the San Diego Coalition of Reason, in a statement. "Atheism is positive and offers grounding in the real world."

Eighteen or so atheist groups besides the Coalition of Reason helped American Atheists, the largest atheist organization in America, keep the $4,000 billboard up for the next four weeks. The billboard features a curtain with a painting of a sky exposing a stack of books, and was designed by graphic artist Bruce Harris for the San Diego Coalition of Reason. more >>

Over 50,000 people gathered for the annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco, Calif., days after the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, prompting Pope Benedict XVI to applaud the event as an "outstanding public witness to the fundamental human right to life."

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the pope's representative to the United States, addressed the tens of thousands gathered in front of San Francisco's City Hall on Saturday, delivering a message from the pontiff, according to the organizers.

The pope, the archbishop read, "is grateful to all those who take part in this outstanding public witness to the fundamental human right to life and the moral imperative of upholding the inviolable dignity of each member of our human family, especially the smallest and most defenseless of our brothers and sisters." more >>

Crystal Cathedral's board of directors has voted to make Bobby Schuller, the grandson of the megachurch's founder Robert H. Schuller, the new pastor for the weekly "Hour of Power" television program as well as a non-voting member of the board.

"Be inspired by Hour of Power pastor Bobby Schuller," a link on the website of the Garden Grove, Calif.-based church says.

The decision was announced by President and CEO John Charles at a congregational meeting Thursday night, according to Orange County Register. "He's been a true godsend," Charles was quoted as saying. The 31-year-old Schuller's Sunday morning sermons will be heard across the U.S. and 11 other countries, he added. more >>

The lineup for Coachella 2013, the three-day music festival which takes place in the desert city of Indio, Calif., was released late on Thursday, and features key acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blur, Social Distortion, and Lou Reed.

The full name of the festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, has been widely accepted by many younger American generations as the most popular music festival in the country.

The three-day event, which takes place on two separate weekends in the sweltering heat of California's Coachella Valley, features headliner musicians, old school legends, and up-and-coming acts, not to mention a variety of installation artists dotted throughout the festival grounds to showcase their work. more >>

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – It appeared that Scott "Scooch" Miller was winning his battle over the demons that plagued him as a U.S. military veteran of the Vietnam war, at least in part, thanks to his relationship with a Christian homeless ministry serving in South Orange County, Calif. However, he remained homeless, still struggling with alcoholism, while spending nights sleeping in a field next to a famous surf spot until his death two weeks ago.

At a memorial service given by the ministry last Sunday, Christian leaders at a park in the pristine, primarily affluent community of San Clemente were struggling to wrap their minds around the question of why Scooch died in the bushes at "Trestles," alone one night, apparently from the cold during a night of freezing temperatures.

During a moment of reflection at the service on the life of Scooch, the "ornery" man who began to turn soft after accepting Jesus into his life, some in attendance spoke of feeling like they could have done something to prevent his death and that something more should certainly be done for the homeless in the area – especially now. more >>

More than 3,000 pro-life supporters marched through the streets of San Diego on Saturday to mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Daniel Andrus, who brought a group of young people from St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Fallbrook to San Diego, carried a sign depicting a skeletal baby cradled by the words "1⁄3 of our generation has been killed by abortion."

"We have to stand up for the gift of life," U-T San Diego quoted Andrus as saying. "There are other options than terminating a pregnancy because life begins at conception." more >>