"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life"

[ThiudareiksGunthigg]

'No God' slogans for city's buses


Bendy-buses with the slogan "There's probably no God" could soon be running on the streets of London.

The atheist posters are the idea of the British Humanist Association (BHA) and have been supported by prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins. The BHA planned only to raise £5,500, which was to be matched by Professor Dawkins, but it has now raised more than £36,000 of its own accord.

It aims to have two sets of 30 buses carrying the signs for four weeks.

The complete slogan reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: "Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children. "Even on the buses, nobody thinks twice when they see a religious slogan plastered across the side. This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion."

Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the BHA, said: "We see so many posters advertising salvation through Jesus or threatening us with eternal damnation, that I feel sure that a bus advert like this will be welcomed as a breath of fresh air. If it raises a smile as well as making people think, so much the better."

But Stephen Green of pressure group Christian Voice said: "Bendy-buses, like atheism, are a danger to the public at large. I should be surprised if a quasi-religious advertising campaign like this did not attract graffiti. People don't like being preached at. Sometimes it does them good, but they still don't like it."

However the Methodist Church said it thanked Professor Dawkins for encouraging a "continued interest in God". Spirituality and discipleship officer Rev Jenny Ellis said: "This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life." She added: "Christianity is for people who aren't afraid to think about life and meaning."

The buses with the slogans will run in Westminster from January.

The final total of donations was actually £49,525 and the campaign is definitely going ahead. There are moves to start similar campaigns in other cities around the world. The idiot from Christian Voice cautioning that "people don't like being preached at" had me spraying coffee my PC screen. Do these people listen to themselves?

[C-Rob]

I'm tired of atheists feeling like they are above people with faith. Isn't london having probems with muslims? Or maybe that's not from the muslims but from the other londoners being fearmongering racists... but still, I almost can say I hope they blow up, but then again, I'm not for loss of life.

[ThiudareiksGunthigg]

I'm tired of atheists feeling like they are above people with faith.

How is having slogans on buses just like the ones by "people with faith" being "above" them? It's simply equality with them. Some people are a bit tired of seeing slogans about imaginary beings threatening us with hellfire without there being any counter to them. Thus this campaign.

Isn't london having probems with muslims? Or maybe that's not from the muslims but from the other londoners being fearmongering racists... but still, I almost can say I hope they blow up, but then again, I'm not for loss of life.

How rational of you. It's some words on the side of a bus, giving an alternative point of view. For a change. I'm sure you'll cope.

Although if a Christian slogan appeared , Lord knows what kind of protests there would be.

If one appeared? What planet do you live on? They're everywhere. This campaign is in reaction to a particularly nasty Christian campaign on buses that, sweetly, told all non-Christians they were going to hell. No-one batted an eyelid as such a bizarre claim because people are entirely used to Christians making such public announcements.

Good on the BHA for turning the tables for once. And all they are doing is urging people to enjoy their lives. Sounds a pretty pleasant message to me.

[Nikos]

If one appeared? What planet do you live on? They're everywhere. This campaign is in reaction to a particularly nasty Christian campaign on buses that, sweetly, told all non-Christians they were going to hell. No-one batted an eyelid as such a bizarre claim because people are entirely used to Christians making such public announcements.

I don't live in the UK forgive me. So what? no one has the authority to say who is or isn't going to hell. If the poster really said that then it was wrong. Why do Atheists feel they are so much better then everyone? It reminds me of Victorian racism instead of bringing "civilization" its bringing "truth"

[Nikos]

It's not surprising. Since its "cool" to be an Atheist why not have Atheist slogans in public places? Although if a Christian slogan appeared , Lord knows what kind of protests there would be.

[Bond]

It's not surprising. Since its "cool" to be an Atheist why not have Atheist slogans in public places? Although if a Christian slogan appeared , Lord knows what kind of protests there would be.

when was it ever "cool" to be XXXX religion?

1: dude what religion are you?
2: muslim
1: oh lame...how about you
3: i'm catholic
1: that's cool i guess
2: what about you #1?
1: i'm atheist
2&3: OMFG NO WAI!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S ING COOL!

I guess we americans aren't so comfortable with in your face religion like you brits?

don't you remember elementary school?

One nation, UNDER GOD, .....

[Beregorn]

Although if a Christian slogan appeared , Lord knows what kind of protests there would be.

Do you live in UK?

[HMonk]

It's not surprising. Since its "cool" to be an Atheist why not have Atheist slogans in public places? Although if a Christian slogan appeared , Lord knows what kind of protests there would be.

Thats for sure

[motiv-8]

Ah, yes.. Richard Dawkins. Once again proving that he just doesn't get it.

[Strattios]

That's just not right. Imagine what Atheists would say if it was a religious group and the signs said something like "Most people believe in a God, and love in a higher being makes life more enjoyable". Point is, it shouldn't be said either way. Especially in such a condescending way that is implying all people who believe in a God don't enjoy life and worry about everything.

[God]

That's just not right. Imagine what Atheists would say if it was a religious group and the signs said something like "Most people believe in a God, and love in a higher being makes life more enjoyable".

This campaign is in reaction to a particularly nasty Christian campaign on buses that, sweetly, told all non-Christians they were going to hell.

[Nutsack]

That's just not right. Imagine what Atheists would say if it was a religious group and the signs said something like "Most people believe in a God, and love in a higher being makes life more enjoyable". Point is, it shouldn't be said either way. Especially in such a condescending way that is implying all people who believe in a God don't enjoy life and worry about everything.

Thing is, it should be said both ways. Whoever has the money and wants to put a retarded message on the side of a few buses can do so.

If I had the gold, I would put a picture of my nipples on every London bus for like a year.

[ThiudareiksGunthigg]

Ah, yes.. Richard Dawkins. Once again proving that he just doesn't get it.

What "it" doesn't he get?

That's just not right. Imagine what Atheists would say if it was a religious group and the signs said something like "Most people believe in a God, and love in a higher being makes life more enjoyable".

At lunchtime I walked past two signs, one that said that a long dead Jewish carpenter was the only path and another one that said life without God is empty. I didn't bat an eyelid. That's because we come across this stuff every day.

Yet when atheists do the same thing we get cries of "That's just not right". Why? If you guys do it, why can't we do it too?

Point is, it shouldn't be said either way.

Tell that to the people the BHA is reacting to.

Especially in such a condescending way that is implying all people who believe in a God don't enjoy life and worry about everything.

That's not what the sign says at all.

[Turnus]

If you guys do it, why can't we do it too?

Perhaps because Christianity etc. stands for a lot more than does Atheism (alone). A major element of all established religions is concerned with moral and social values, which on the whole are beneficial to society. But I am of course an atheist.

[ThiudareiksGunthigg]

Perhaps because Christianity etc. stands for a lot more than does Atheism (alone). A major element of all established religions is concerned with moral and social values, which on the whole are beneficial to society. But I am of course an atheist.

Of course - because atheism is simply the lack of any belief in God or gods. But I still can't see how the fact that Christianity (unlike atheism) has its attendant moral codes, social values etc means it somehow has more right to plaster slogans on buses.

The rights of atheists and theists to plaster slogans on buses is totally equal.

[Nietzsche]

Perhaps because Christianity etc. stands for a lot more than does Atheism (alone). A major element of all established religions is concerned with moral and social values, which on the whole are beneficial to society. But I am of course an atheist.

Thank you for this very sensible and reasonable comment sir.

To the OP, suppose they plastered some of the buses with "There is no Allah"? What do you suppose would happen then? Perhaps your sister nation across the channel could show you.

I don't know what these supposed Christians said on the buses. What I do know is it isn't wise to urinate all over an established belief just because you got hassled on the way home from work. Two wrongs don't make a right. Saying so only marginalizes justice and establishes revenge as a motive for indiscretions. That is all we are seeing here.

Taking swipes at Christianity seems to be en vogue these days. From art to music to news it's everywhere. I just wish those who oppose it do so from more intellectual grounds rather than as a reactionary bigots.

[Strattios]

I only see pro-religious signs like the ones you guys are mentioning in front of houses of worship and on signs held by homeless people looking for a handout.

Tell that to the people the BHA is reacting to.

A reaction is still saying it. They are simply continuing the cycle.

That's not what the sign says at all.

Read the sign, that is exactly what it says.

The idiot from Christian Voice cautioning that "people don't like being preached at" had me spraying coffee my PC screen. Do these people listen to themselves?

"At" and "To" are different. Preachers preach "to" people who come to them.

[Turnus]

I only see pro-religious signs like the ones you guys are mentioning in front of houses of worship and on signs held by homeless people looking for a handout.

Yes, do you have a link to Christian bus propaganda, TG?

But I still can't see how the fact that Christianity (unlike atheism) has its attendant moral codes, social values etc means it somehow has more right to plaster slogans on buses.

Perhaps the belief is that if one turns to atheism, they lose all of these (beneficial?) codes, while if one turns to God from atheism, they really lose nothing, and gain salvation. Thus the former is somehow more detrimental.

[Garbarsardar]

That's just not right. Imagine what Atheists would say if it was a religious group and the signs said something like "Most people believe in a God, and love in a higher being makes life more enjoyable".

Yeah, imagine...



Not to forget the the ad, which ran as a mobile billboard in south-west London, by the Christian Congress for Traditional Values:

[chamaeleo]

That's just not right. Imagine what Atheists would say if it was a religious group and the signs said something like "Most people believe in a God, and love in a higher being makes life more enjoyable". Point is, it shouldn't be said either way. Especially in such a condescending way that is implying all people who believe in a God don't enjoy life and worry about everything.

I think this is GREAT!!!

I don't have to imagine...I read about how I'm going to Hell everytime I ride past my local Baptist church (5 times a week). The latest message: "are you going up, or down?".

As for condescending attitudes, I see that on the face of every holy-roller I've ever explained my atheism..."oh, you poor deluded creature! You're doomed!".