http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... dvert.htmlProf Richard Dawkins drives support for London's first atheist bus advert
Buses emblazoned with adverts declaring "there's probably no God" will soon be travelling through the streets of London after the prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins agreed to help pay for them.
By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 3:38PM BST 21 Oct 2008
Campaigners believe the messages will provide a "reassuring" antidote to religious adverts that "threaten eternal damnation" to passengers.
The routes on which the atheist buses could be placed have not yet been fixed, but they would travel through the central London borough of Westminster and so could pass close to Westminster Abbey, a Christian place of worship for more than 1,000 years.
Prof Dawkins, Oxford University's Professor of the Public Understanding of Science, 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."
The campaign, which could be plastered across as many as 60 buses for a month if just £11,000 is raised, was triggered by a blog posting. It floundered over the summer because of a shortage of donations but has been boosted by the financial support of Prof Dawkins, the author of The God Delusion and a vocal critic of the power of religion over public life.
The renowned evolutionary biologist has agreed to match all donations up to a maximum of £5,500 – the amount needed for adverts on one set of buses. This means the campaigners will only need to gain £2,750 from supporters for the project to succeed.
Those behind the project are now confident they will raise enough money to pay for two sets of 30 bendy buses to travel through the capital in January bearing the atheist slogan: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
When the adverts were first proposed in June, 877 people pledged that they would give £5 to the cause.
The British Humanist Association has also agreed to handle the donations and pay the money to CBS Outdoor, the advertising company that puts adverts on buses.
Hanne Stinson, the organisation's chief executive, 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."
Ariane Sherine, a comedy writer, began the campaign after writing a blog article about Christian adverts on buses. She suggested that atheists should pay for a "reassuring counter-advert" after discovering that the religious adverts promoted a website which warns non-Christians that they will burn in Hell for eternity.
She said: "I'm very pleased so many people are behind the atheist bus."
On the route of the atheist bus
On the route of the atheist bus
Who pfaffed the pfaff? Who got pfaffed tonight?
- Wolter
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Solid.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
I prefer the "It doesn't matter" slogan.
I feel that there is a fascistic element, for example, in the Rolling Stones . . .
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
"100 people surveyed, top 5 answers on the board. Name the god you worship while riding on the bus. survey SAYS..."Richard Dawkins
that's the same guy right? Likes to kiss other peoples wives?
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
Re: On the route of the atheist bus
I really dig Batchelor's "deep agnosticism."Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
No real point here, just sayin'.
I feel that there is a fascistic element, for example, in the Rolling Stones . . .
— Morton Feldman
I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
— Clashy
— Morton Feldman
I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
— Clashy
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote:It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
"I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back in Whittier, they're not much bigger than two meters.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Wolter
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Rage, rage on!Dr. Medulla wrote:Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote:It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
Looks like the ads are techically just Humanist ads, so it's probably open for both Atheists and Agnostics to appreciate.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
The larger question is, Do these things have an effect? Does seeing a simplistic message on a billboard actually cause someone to begin re-evaluating foundational beliefs? Consider me an agnostic on that topic.Wolter wrote:Rage, rage on!Dr. Medulla wrote:Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote:It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
Looks like the ads are techically just Humanist ads, so it's probably open for both Atheists and Agnostics to appreciate.
"I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back in Whittier, they're not much bigger than two meters.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Wolter
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Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Whereas I am a staunch believer that you will argue just to argue.Dr. Medulla wrote:The larger question is, Do these things have an effect? Does seeing a simplistic message on a billboard actually cause someone to begin re-evaluating foundational beliefs? Consider me an agnostic on that topic.Wolter wrote:Rage, rage on!Dr. Medulla wrote:Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote:It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
Looks like the ads are techically just Humanist ads, so it's probably open for both Atheists and Agnostics to appreciate.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
Re: On the route of the atheist bus
hE's AdMIttED to AS MUch in thE PAst.Wolter wrote:Whereas I am a staunch believer that you will argue just to argue.Dr. Medulla wrote:The larger question is, Do these things have an effect? Does seeing a simplistic message on a billboard actually cause someone to begin re-evaluating foundational beliefs? Consider me an agnostic on that topic.Wolter wrote:Rage, rage on!Dr. Medulla wrote:Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote: It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.
Looks like the ads are techically just Humanist ads, so it's probably open for both Atheists and Agnostics to appreciate.
I feel that there is a fascistic element, for example, in the Rolling Stones . . .
— Morton Feldman
I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
— Clashy
— Morton Feldman
I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
— Clashy
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116665
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Okee doke.
"I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back in Whittier, they're not much bigger than two meters.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Probably not. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.Dr. Medulla wrote:The larger question is, Do these things have an effect? Does seeing a simplistic message on a billboard actually cause someone to begin re-evaluating foundational beliefs? Consider me an agnostic on that topic.Wolter wrote:Rage, rage on!Dr. Medulla wrote:Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote:It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.Dr. Medulla wrote:The "probably" seems a bit of an agnostic wimp out. Not that there's anything wrong with agnosticism, but Dawkins isn't one.
Looks like the ads are techically just Humanist ads, so it's probably open for both Atheists and Agnostics to appreciate.
Who pfaffed the pfaff? Who got pfaffed tonight?
- Wolter
- Half Foghorn Leghorn, Half Albert Brooks
- Posts: 55432
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 7:59pm
- Location: ¡HOLIDAY RO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-OAD!
Re: On the route of the atheist bus
Once again, a German brings peace and harmony!Olaf wrote:Probably not. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.Dr. Medulla wrote:The larger question is, Do these things have an effect? Does seeing a simplistic message on a billboard actually cause someone to begin re-evaluating foundational beliefs? Consider me an agnostic on that topic.Wolter wrote:Rage, rage on!Dr. Medulla wrote:Okay, then it's the writer of the story who's being misleading in calling them "atheist" ads.Wolter wrote: It looks like Dawkins is just supportive, not the actual organizer.
Looks like the ads are techically just Humanist ads, so it's probably open for both Atheists and Agnostics to appreciate.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"