Atheism On The Buses
When I first heard about this campaign I was all for it and intent on taking part. After some thought, I’m really not sure I support it.
On Monday the British Humanist Association launched another fund-raising campaign for a series of adverts to be placed on London buses. The first one wasn’t exactly publicised and resulted in nothing more than a sneering article in The Telegraph. However this time the campaign spread throughout the Internet and the target of £5,500 was met around 10 hours after launch. The number of donations is still rising and is nearing £100,000, meaning that the proposed slogan of “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and get on with your life.” will spread further than the original bus idea.
When I first heard about this campaign (from Dan*) I was all for it and intent on taking part. After some thought, I’m really not sure I support it. It’s not that I don’t agree with the message but I do object to religious advertising. Even though I’ve noticed an increase in advertising for religious organisations and charities through print, television and billboard campaigns, I don’t like the idea of petty eye for an eye retaliation.
However, the fact that the target was met so quickly and has since been eclipsed is at least good news for secularism in this country. Of course, the aim of the advert is to encourage debate about faith and by generating headlines across the world it’s certainly done that. I just wish a gimmick wasn’t responsible for this achievement.
* Dan has also had one of his suggestions featured on the site
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4 replies to “Atheism On The Buses”
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Z
24/10/08
I appreciated the way they phrased their tagline - had they simply stated 'there is no God', I would be in complete agreement with you, however, I can't see the harm in pointing out that probability wise, there is likely not to be a God and encouraging people to spend their time enjoying life rather than worrying about burning in hell.
Base on Mars
24/10/08
I see your point about no religious advertising but it feels like nit picking. Id' say keep your eye on the goal and support it where you can. Help give the people a voice. Arguing over the details is the typical way that the left/liberals side fails.
(i know i'm not gonna change your opinion, we had this chat over a cuppa the other night, but you can't say i didn't try ;) ).
xerode
27/10/08
@Z Well it doesn't really point out the probability involved in the decision but then that's what The God Delusion is for! ;)
I do agree with you that the slogan is better as it is but even that "probably" is enough to derail discussion about the campaign. The Something Awful thread is a great example of agnostics and atheists getting caught up with the wording and it's precise meaning, stifling any useful debate.
@Base on Mars I kind of agree with you, especially over "the typical way that the left/liberals side fails" - I just wish the campaign didn't leave such a bitter taste!
Base on Mars
27/10/08
interesting point: dawkins says it makes no sense to say god does not exist, he wanted 'almost certainly'
"so, as Dawkins writes in The God Delusion, being an absolute “7″ on the faith scale (insisting “there is no God”) doesn’t make sense, as nobody can ever state this as an absolute. The alternative Dawkins proposes is “almost certainly”, but “there’s almost certainly no God” doesn’t make for an overly catchy advertising slogan!"
http://www.atheistcampaign.org/probably/
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