That's pretty awesome. Something tells me it wouldn't fly here in Alabama, though. Oh well.

something tells me this wouldnt fly at all in america period.  im all for it, and i would love to see peoples reactions.  people get so offended by athiest thought here

eh, I'm not religious and was never raised to be, but let people believe what they want to believe.  It kinda defeats the purpose of atheism and freedom of/from religion to try and convert people to atheism.  

Atheists would not have cause to present this stuff if the religious just kept their beliefs to themselves. Seems completely reasonable. God bless atheism.

anonymous, (if that IS your real name) religion is preventing humanity from it's potential; think about how many cures we could have developed by now if those goddamn religitards weren't preventing stem cell research, preventing overpopulation by telling women what they're not allowed to do with their own bodies (abortion) and too many other things for me to even think of right now. Religion = control over stupid people who refuse to think for themselves.

People are such hypocrites. Christians bitch about us posting signs about atheism but how dare we scold them when we see signs like 'Jesus loves you!' or those assholes that shove Bible's in your face... give me a break Christians. I don't know a single atheist that is 'in your face' the way many Christian's are.  

(for all those who worry religion is bad for society)these advertisements are proof that religion is going away at a nice even pace. just calm down. 5000 years from when we learned to write to relativity. 5000 years is only a big number to the individual monkey. twenty years ago you could not even hardly talk about being an atheist, and now look at these billboards, or the popularity of the god delusion, or the popularity of people like bill maher. Humans evolved and needed religion. All animals are the way they are because that is how they have to be. We no longer need religion, so it is going away. farewell anchor!  

Nice. Really nice. Naturally, it's not the advertisements that are the point at all; it's the conversation they encourage. And encourage they do, which is all most proponents of reason really want for humanity. This sort of thing would and does happen in the US, by the way. Atheism-related billboards come up and down all over the country all the time. The conversation carries on, hallelujah. Most atheists (that I know) aren't all that interested in "converting" anyone -- we just choose not to be invisible/closeted any more, and want to remind people it's not just freedom OF religion, but freedom FROM religion that we're after in the US.

I think this is a great idea and a wonderful celebration of our fleeting freedom of speech.  What's more, what could be a better message than to enjoy one's life?  It certainly seems more positive and less foreboding than "Repent and Be Saved" and other such adverts.

And lastly, to anonymous, if religious conversion is as easy as seeing an ad on the side of the bus....your priorities may be in the wrong order.

** don't expect miracles **

The de-deification of reality is one task for the next thousand years.

What a breath of fresh air! The closed minds have controlled our minds for too long!

Hey Apollo, Of coarse it that ad campaign would not fly in Alabama. Especially when your Alabama license plates all have "In God We Trust" on the bottom of them!  In order not to have "In God We Trust" on your license plate, you have to pay what amounts to a "God Tax" to get another plate that doesn't have that on it.  I live in Georgia near the Alabama border. If I ever moved to Alabama, I'd have the State of Alabama in court fighting the "God Tax" from here to eternity! Georgia would never have an Atheist ad campaign either.  It seems we just have to put up with the Christianity signs everywhere in our faces. Just think about all of those stupid quote boards outside the churches on every corner here in the south! I'm sick of them all!

Your mostly a bunch of equally close who aren't religious. As in you are as close minded as those who can open their minds enough to believe in the possibility of something greater. Those 'stupid quote boards outside the churches' are quite different from Nationwide public advertising.  

And this freedom of speech thing? Christians don't have it. Get over yourselves. People have to say happy holidays in school now. I have seen Happy Kwanzaa and Hanukkah signs, but Christians can't say merry Christmas because they might offend someone.

Fizzy, So yeah, you can have your signs and your freedom of speech, when Christians get theirs back. They aren't allowed to be in anyone's face.

Kristi, "There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." That's a nice message you, huh? What about those whose beliefs it is directly challenging? Repent and be saved makes you uncomfortable because you don't think there is anything to repent for and no one to save you. Saying there is no God makes people who believe in God worry. Believing in God relaxes them, and lets them enjoy life.

Jasonbean. Religion isn't really bad for society. While I don't really believe in anything, I must say people like Ghandi and Mother Theresa comfort me in the idea that having faith might not be all bad.

Thinkywritey, I like your take on it better than the rest of these people. Be mindful that we should be after both freedom of AND from religion.

The conversation has been continued.

"those goddamn religitards weren't...preventing overpopulation by telling women what they're not allowed to do with their own bodies (abortion)" - Phil E. Drifter, your ignorance is quite breathtaking. To equate not liking the practice of killing babies to the actions of a retard. Just for a minute think about what you're saying.

"Those 'stupid quote boards outside the churches' are quite different from Nationwide public advertising"

These signs are a direct response to the nationwide public advertising christians have enjoyed for decades

"People have to say happy holidays in school now. I have seen Happy Kwanzaa and Hanukkah signs, but Christians can't say merry Christmas because they might offend someone."

That is quite disturbing, there is no exscuse for that.

"What about those whose beliefs it is directly challenging?"

What about them? Isn't challenging idea's a...good thing? Should be people not be pushed to question, rather than sit back and accept what they've been told?

"Saying there is no God makes people who believe in God worry. Believing in God relaxes them, and lets them enjoy life."

Yes and let's not tell anyone there's no santa. You are proposing living in ignorance, some people have more self respect than that.

"Be mindful that we should be after both freedom of AND from religion."

Now you're talking sense

Jonnell, idea behind that campaign was to feed believers their own medicine. I'm sick of people that stop me at streets and try to convert to their beliefs (I'm neither believer or atheist). So, why atheists can't do the same thing? It has nothing to do with "religion is good/bad for society", it has nothing to do with religion being superior/inferior or whatever. It is about following laws of the country. And when laws say that anyone is free to express their beliefs/faith/whatever, this includes all people - both believers non-believers. The law should apply to all people, with no exceptions for some groups. That is the point of that campaign - the brainwashing should be allowed either for all people or for no one.

To my opinion, people that are offended by this don't have strong beliefs and should probably finally grow up. This is a life. There are always people that have beliefs that radically different from yours, and may even seem horrible for you. Sane person should be able to deal with that, no matter what religion (s)he follows.

> Repent and be saved makes you uncomfortable because you

> don't think there is anything to repent for and no one to

> save you.

No, You are wrong here. "repent and be saved" makes people annoyed because they are sick from believers trying to push their beliefs on them. Besides I'm perfectly comfortable with the idea that there is "no one to save me". I know that only I can save myself. I know that I'm the only one responsible for my actions. I know that my conscience will be the judge of my own actions (hell is a joke when compared to this), what is done, cannot be undone, and that  in all daily problems the only person I can rely on is me. Maybe this thinking doesn't make me relaxed, but it certainly allows me to be responsible, strong, confident, and helps to overcome obstacles easily and enjoy life.

God may not exist, but the rules of proper typography do. Hang those quotes the next time you embark on a $200K ad campaign.

religion is just so strange. think of all the wars that could have been prevented.

strange strange strange :P

I feel so sad for the sorry state that religion is in in most practices. Im religious and i cant stand abortion opposers, stem cell research opposers, etc. To any athiests who are angry at religious idiots atleast give religion some kind of break because it has ridiculous potential to be productive it's just being taught and practiced ineffectively and with crucial pieces missing... people need to learn the shit.

Another Einstein quote which they may want to read...

"In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human understanding, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views"

I've never respected christianity enough to give it a fair say in things. I believe in being fair in things, but that's partially why I shut it down. Like a doctor earning more than a gardener; religion will make things seem prettier and feel better, but science will improve things at it's roots. I've been practicing and studying logic as well as science and so I never will let myself respect christ until it can use my own tools to prove me wrong. After all it is in the nature of scientists to call each other idiots, try and prove each other wrong, and cyclically attack the roots of each other's arguments until they've finally sorted out who's right.

So how rich is the Vatican and the pope, and how many poor people do we have in this world? And did god tell the Muslims to kill innocent people, because they are not Muslim?

Someone 1000's of years a go figured out that the big Question for all is, what happens after we die? And if you put a judge on the other side, you can be a messenger to the judge and people will pay you and follow your story and you can control those people that way, and PROFIT in a big way. Hence,  the Vatican and the Pope.

the

Just wanted to mention the Religious Society of Friends here (a.k.a. the "Quakers.")  Our approach to religion is not "in your face," in fact, we don't ask or require our members and attenders to believe anything.  What we do offer is an actual experience of the divine which you can have for yourself.  But we are not merely mystics who retreat from the world: Friends are found working to bring peace, justice, and compassion to the world.  There are also Christians from other congregations that do the same.  Peace and Grace,

David Carl

Ha! Thank you, thank you very much for making those signs. I am so tired of this nonsense about god from people who need to shove their problems on someone else saying "God guides me and it'll all turn out for the better, even if it doesn't look like that now."

I'm an Atheist and people need to shut the hell up.

I don't see any pro's of being a Christian or a Hardcore-Atheist. Both of them are equally stupid.

I'm an atheist and... nothing more to tell you.

Well, it DID fly in the US (although only in DC to my knowledge):

www.whybelieveinagod.org/images.html

It's very refreshing to see atheists speaking out.  There very much is a sense of "coming out of the closet" as an atheist.  After some of the reactions I got from people considered to be my closest friends, I just stopped telling people.  Christians seem to feel they are under attack these days, but in the US, but atheists are afraid to tell people about their beliefs, while it's effectively mandatory to declare yourself a Christian to be elected to public office.  

You are only a true atheist when you stop worrying completely about religion, astrology and spirits, etc. If you still look at an astrology chart you are not an atheist. If you understand that you don't have to understand everything or find an immediate explanation for what you don't understand today than you are an atheist, a true one. That is the key, knowledge. If you don't understand or know it, study it. It is like the TV show of "The uncovering of Magic Tricks" it is passing here on Portugal TV. It is only Magic until you see how they do the tricks.

Oh! When you stop arguing about religion whit anybody you will feel a great peace of mind, so great that you'll run the risk of thinking you are enlighten.

I know because it happened to me.

It is so funny to kill that kind of conversations by "starvation" of words:

Someone; "What do you have to say about Jesus is salvation?"

Me; "Nothing."

Someone; "What?"

Me; "Nothing."

Someone; "...!?"

And the 'word' stops there, in the dust of the indifference.

Me; "Lets eat an ice cream"

Someone; "Sure, lets go."

FRIENDS FOR EVER

If you are a true atheist you will not have afraid to tell it any time the opportunity appears, even in the US.

If you are a true atheist you will not have the need to 'spread the word'. If you do it you are in contra-sense of your belief... what!?

If you are a true atheist you are really a free thinker.

If you are a true atheist you are only worried about teaching new atheists to answer to the nonsenses of religious people with a smile in your face, like if you are enlighten. It is so funny when they start looking to you, suspecting you are an angel. And you are: The angel (for them) of knowledge.

If you are a true atheist you know you don't have any obligation to argue about any religion, even about atheism.

Why? Think a minute, THERE ARE nothing to discuss about.

Of course there are a lot to argue about your RIGHT to not follow ANY kind of religion or magic practices like astrology, specially in the US.

I grew up in a religious community with semi religious parents and extremely religious grandmothers (both sides) yet I've always been an atheist. It's always felt to me the only people who aren't atheists are those who don't put their full mind into thinking about religion. However, I've also never had much issue with others believing anything, even some of the more ridiculous concepts out there. My problem with religion has always been people becoming angry over it. I see little reason for it (though again most people who I know that became angry over religious reasons weren't very reasonable to begin with).

Great site also found on stumble if no one here has found it yet:

www.iamanatheist.com/blog

i never quite got America and the whole religion thing, it's like you can do or be what you want nowadays, you can even be a black president, but you can't be an atheist

i don't know but i think freedom of speech is prized more highly in England, plus we have a much higher rate of atheists

Both Religious as Atheistic people have one thing in common, they're both believers.

The first believes in god without proof, the second believes there's no god, but also lacks proof.

Well. I've been an atheist since as far as I can remember, but I don't think it's right to go around putting banners like this. How different are we from Christians putting up "Jesus loves all" signs then?

Keep your beliefs to yourself and do what you feel is right. Thats what matters at the end of the day. :)

Cheers!

Most of the comments here are more anti-christain than atheist I think. Which I'm all for.

It would be good to see the results of an in-depth survey of people's reactions to this campaign. When faced with the reality of how ridiculous religion, many respondants may answer that they don't believe in god.

I think that this is perfectly acceptable, I also believe in a "god" so to speak. I think it will be hilarious once we start realizing that atheism itself is religious in nature and that the only universals are human value-systems.

if jesus supposedly loves everyone then he loves athiests. but if most of his followers don't, how close are they following. if atheists believe in enjoying the beauty of life for what it is why can so few of the ones i've talked with concede any hint beauty in any form of religion? unstoppable force v.s. immovable object?

https://thinkatheist.com

What really irks me is that these ads have been planned for months, and the Christians choose now to air their disapproval. They could have argued the toss in private months ago, yet chose to wait until now. Not sure about you, but this smacks of an attention grab on their part. If the BHA tried to argue against religious ads, especially Christian or Muslim orientated ones, they would be shown the door in an instant. The Christian lot are just flexing their muscles, trying to prove tht they are still influential in this country, which they unforunately are.

Eamonn Blaze Byrne, I meant for "What about those whose beliefs it is directly challenging?" and "Saying there is no God makes people who believe in God worry. Believing in God relaxes them, and lets them enjoy life." to go together.

I was not stating that challenging ideas is bad. I was merely implying that Christians directly challenge atheists ideas and it makes them uncomfortable, so Kristi was being a tad insensitive by thinking only of atheists. I am personally trying to avoid taking sides on this one, as I am agnostic.  

Evil Chest of darkness, in no way was I trying to advocate the prevention of freedom of speech through media. I was just saying that I am not ever stopped on the streets to be converted. I have never seen it happen. Christianity is a frequently bashed religion where it is still politically okay to do so. Any other religion such as Judaism or Muslim is off limits. And I was not trying to say that I have someone to save me, or that you need saving. What I was trying to point out was that almost every comment above mine was pro atheism and I was trying to open up the plying field a little. Trying to point out different viewpoints and understand a bit of why some atheists might be uncomfortable with repent and be saved. I, being agnostic, just ignore those signs. And honestly, you can too. Use some of that will power of yours and stop looking. Like I said, I have never seen a Christian preaching the good book on any street corner. I have also lived many places. Perhaps not as many as you, but quite a lot.

Ryan, the wars probably would have happened, just under a different banner.

Dillon, I agree almost completely. Still against abortion, but that is because of the wasted potential. Stem cell research is also at this point wasted potential.

Joe and Servil25, way to be close minded and pessimistic all at the same time. With no higher power, our lives have no meaning. It's all for nothing. So some fill that yawning gap with a belief that things can improve, and that they are here for a reason. That is the major reason people turn to religion. I doubt that all Christians are money grubbers only interested in pretty things.

Elena, you just made it into the category of Joe and Servil25, way to go. (Christians do things for themselves, and use prayer for contemplation and meditation, and most of them are far nicer than you can even imagine, judging by that dead piece of language you flopped on this comment board to smell it up with your foul close minded and harsh accusations.)

Lisa, unfortunately, you are correct, and it is sad. While I have seen Christianity under attack it is only okay to be an atheist in a group of young, and usually urban, people. We are who we surround ourselves with. ~Quote... no source.

Simpson Jr and Lalith, !!!!!!!!!! I really enjoyed both of you comments. Brilliant. And I must agree with you both.

baffmagnet, way to win most pointless comment award. Seriously, you're just proving complete lack of intelligence by saying such a worthlessly hurtful thing.

Scott, hoe does this, in any way, proves that religion is ridiculous? That's just absurd.

Zach, unfortunately, even human values morals et cetera are not universal. Hence cannibalism.

Eli, interesting, and somewhat true argument. It is why I am agnostic rather than declaring a religion. I do find reading religious book fascinating though.

UKAthe, I don't know. If they did try to argue IN PRIVATE would we have known. It is likely that this has been in the works for months but that would have also been private, as logic follows. What I am trying to say is that there is not always one point of view.

To any that I have further offended, I apologize. I am merely trying to open others minds and have them see both the pros and cons of doing this.

This promotion of athemism is insulting to me as an atheist. For so many years i looked down upon religous organizations for trying to persuade me, yet these atheists lower themsleves to this level? Come on, atheism is based upon the foundation of non-beliefe, not persuading others to participate in non-belief. Individuals promoting this action are no different from those members promoting religous views.

Kyle, the fundamental difference there would be that atheists "promoting" atheism don't intend to pass laws to govern how people behave in their own homes with the blinds drawn.

When people ask me why I care whether people know I'm atheist (really, I'm NOTHINGIST), it's because the default position in my country is "Christian," and that's simply not accurate.

So...when the Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus have billboards up saying that they're right it's fine, but when we put up signs advertising our belief (or lack thereof) then it's wrong?  Anyone else smell a fail?

Atheism is quite ignorant.  It can be said in this way... one day I happen to misplace my keys.  In order for me to say my keys aren't somewhere I would have to had search for them in that location.  In other words, to say there is no such thing as God at all is to say that you have searched everywhere for this being, including all knowledge.  This consequently makes you a god because you have all knowledge, thus showing the ignorance of being an "atheist."

Well I've always thought of God as being in the same rhelm of imagination as Santa, the tooth fairy, and the easter bunny etc; Good for little kids who wont understand the answer to their question or is in need of comfort.

I was brought up being taught to think for myself and that is what i do. This, however does not make me ignorent, I find religion rather interesting. To me it seems as though buddhism and shinto are quite nice and accepting, and well during my exploring i have lost any respect I held for christianity. (Really Jesus was born around the end of May)

Also I go around school saying 'Merry Christmas' I celebrate the holiday but not because some kid was born of a supposed virgin mother, I celebrate it because its is a get together of family where we spend time together and enjoy ourselves for at least a little bit during the fridged winter. (I'm Canadian and its -35ºC outside)

Also I'm not about to fight over whose imaginary best friend is better.

I think it's pretty stupid for Atheists to get angry about religious folk pushing their religion on us, but then we turn around and do the same thing. As an atheist I actually think the only thing we have on the Religious people is that we DON'T do that. Why are you giving atheism a worse name than it already has? There is no reason for this kind of behavior on either side. I don't mind religious people as long as they aren't trying to convert me. I don't think putting up atheism signs is going to do anyone any good. All we can do is mind our own and hope the rest will eventually see the light...  

hey now! i am one of faith (believing that there is God). not to take any of this personally, but i do feel attacked. if it means anything to you guys (atheist) i think you have as much of a right to believe that there is not a god as i believe there is. i do hope all of you realize that this is America...aren't we allowed to have our own opinions and beliefs. and personally i accept that fact.

I do not like the "Atheism" word itself, because, as many other those words wore created by the church itself to offend people who don't believe in such things. I prefer to be just a "non-believer" period. But I would like to congratulate such ideia, and hope that would be someday extensible to all the world, specially in these religious madness and killing times nowadays (as always unfortunally).

I think this would be an awesome campaign! Makes people think. My personal belief is pretty much what the sign says. Not having to worry about being judged makes my life simpler and more easily enjoyed.

DHarris, hilariously illogical. You can look for keys because they've been in your hand and are a real object. The rest of that argument falls firmly into the Invisible Pink Unicorn school of thought. (See also Russell's teapot.)

the thing is this. atheist's and many other religious or decidedly non-religious groups seem to like to be angry at each other. it makes us feel good about ourselves. "haha im taking it back." whatever. my particular faith, which has nothing to do with anyone but me teaches me something i like about myself, says that i should lead by example. i dont use catchy phrases or biblical texts to back up my beliefs. i live my life the way i understand to be right, and others will notice that. if i waste my time pointing fingers then weve all been made worse for it and what good has that done?

    maybe it just doesnt matter what you are. that was the root of free speech in the beginning.

Love the Article and the reading of the comments.. Thanks

Logically it is impossible to prove "there is no God", except if one found a way, as Ayer tried, to make the term "God" meaningless (i.e. as meaningful as "round square").  The theistic position is at least potentially proveable, as evidence could be found of the positive existance of any entity (though what that would entail for God may be debateable).  Nevertheless, it is at the least OVERLY bold to claim "there probably is no God" (i.e. there is a 51% chance that God does not exist).  And, if you take serious the work of Philosophers like Plantinga, the very exercise of reason itself is impossible in a purely naturalistic world (cf: https://tinyurl.com/8d79ud ).  It seems to me that, if we posit reason (or free will), the supernatural HAS to come packaged in with it, or else nothing is other than it could be, and reason is out the door.  If all we are is a sack of atoms acting causally, then all that we do and THINK is pre-scripted, and "reason" has little to do with anything.

I Stumbled upon this page and it's been interesting see what some American's think of it.  In case someone hasn't pointed this out (I haven't read all the comments) the advert was meant to say "There's no God", but there was uncertainty as to whether that would break the rules of the Advertising Standards Agency (which polices adverts in the UK): claims stated in adverts need to be provable (it's a rule that stops unprovable claims about medicines and food in particular).  Stating "There's probably no God" was a compromise.  The whole point of it is to provoke thought, not to convert - people can be no more converted to atheism than they can be converted off drugs, alcohol or cigarettes - people have to reach a state of self-realisation.  Some Christian groups in the UK have welcomed the adverts simply because they do provoke thought, against a background of ever-declining Christian workship in the UK.

I would donate more than I could afford to a similar campaign in New Zealand.  

We have pro-God billboards here, I'd like to see atheist versions.

It really bothers me that many religious people talk about atheism as if it were a religion or belief.  Obviously they aren't actually listening to what we are saying (but they say that we should listen to them).  There is no option for an atheist, no choice to believe anything (this is a good thing).  It is so bad that many atheists won't even use the word, because it makes them feel like they are part of something.  I'm an atheist but I'm certainly not 'in league' with other atheists, not in the same way religious people are with each other.

I would also like to say that I do not want to hear about "freedom from religion and freedom of religion."  Religious people, Christians especially, please do not whine that you are being persecuted in any way.  You have controlled the western world for centuries.  Millenia.  I know enough about your religions, and I don't want to hear it anymore.  I don't want to see it or even hear about it.  Seeing any reference to religion, any where, at any time, makes me cringe.  Sure, you can argue that it has redeeming qualities, but those qualities exist outside of religion, and I think that's important.  You don't need religion to a good person, or to be charitable, or to make decent decisions, or to have a sense of right and wrong.

It's as simple as this: it's outdated, unnecessary, and so blatantly full of deceit and control that it just should not exist any more.  I can't even begin to fathom how people can take it seriously!

Also - being an atheist has nothing to do with feelings about abortion, stem cell research, etc.  Many atheists have a differing view about these things than religious people, but atheism isn't about having a set of values.  It just happens to work out the way that it does.  I know many atheists that are completely against abortion (although I must admit that I am not one of them).

Don't give atheists crap about being "angry."  They should be.  They have a right to be.  Being around the ignorance is incredibly frustrating, for me anyway.

I'm a christian scientist and being around the ignorance of athiests and other religious people is also extremely frustrating with the exception of bhuddists of course due to certain striking parallells. any sense of ignorance an athiest reads in a religious person is read back the other way. the healthiest thing to do is to keep your ideas to yourself and to those who care to hear them otherwise your going to piss people off with no productive end.

Victor, Atheism is from Gk. atheos "to deny the gods, godless," from a- "without" + theos "a god" (see Thea). A slightly earlier form is represented by atheonism (c.1534)

J.M.J. West, reason hits the board. Philosophy is a truly wonderful thing.

Andy, the difference between religion and those drugs is a factor of destructive quality. While we can all list the crusades and other religious wars against religion in general, relating them to a drug is more offensive.

f6m, as hard as this might be to fathom, I agree almost completely with what you said. As an agnostic, I find more truly religious people most often hypocritical and self-righteous of their plight. We all know that only recently has Christian control declined. Before that, it was the only religion, with different sects that I find to be so similar that they shouldn't even have different names except Mormonism and Catholicism. I suppose I have been playing devil's advocate for this discussion. Trying to stir people up and really see what they are thinking. I know that people have a set of standards that can exist without religion. If at any time I implied that this was not the case, then I sincerely apologize. I have just relooked my comment, and I really meant that stem-cell research and abortion were bad simply by their own merits, no religion involved. And there is no one set of ethical values. If those combined gave you the impression that I thought those of no religion had no values, I am again sorry. (If it was my remark to Elena, she just made me very angry) Also, I hope I wasn't coming off as ignorant.

Dillon, wise advice. But continuing this discussion is vital in a lot of ways. Sometimes people must be challenged.

When I say "ignorant," I do not mean to sound like I am calling anyone stupid.  What I am saying is that the fairy-tale like beliefs of religious people are just so fascinatingly, incredibly unreal that it is completely unfathomable how anyone could subject themselves to it.  It really does shock me.  It's stirring.  There is no real way to confront it.  I suppose it will eventually just disappear, but I will be dead by the time that happens, and in the meantime I will continue to be outwardly distressed by it.

Dillon, you are still comparing atheists to theists.  When you count atheism in with other religions, and Buddhism, which is more of a fad in the west, you are placing your own beliefs above those of others, just like any other plain old bigot.  You are absolutely no different than anyone else who fervently protects their point of view.  I don't think I'm "above" anyone, just because of my non-religion; I just can't imagine ignoring common sense.  Sure, I'm vocal about it, and I would love to hear that more people are turning away from religion, but I know that I alone don't have the influence to make that happen.  And I don't think anyone need be 'forced' into changing.  But the more the voice of reason is spoken, the more it will be heard.  And that gradual evolution of thought will eventually be evened out, and the Abrahamic religion will enter the ranks of other outdated religions discussed in history class lectures.

Always people out to make money, even of from people like me that's been an atheist my whole life. Atheist used to be just a word that meant a person had no religeous affiliation. Now it seems to becoming a bloody religion. Why advertise it?.. It makes no sense... I agree with some of the comments that it kinda defeats the purpose of atheism and freedom of/from religion to try and convert people to atheism.

500 year old definitions aside, I think it's worth pointing out that there are self-described atheists who subscribe to a fervent "there are definitively no gods" position and there are self-described atheists who subscribe to a "live as though there are no gods" position. Let's also mention that "anti-religionist" is not a valid synonym.

Gettin' literal with it, "a-theism" doesn't mean "it is a provable fact that there are no gods," it just means "without gods." I'm one of those. But like f6m says, a lot of people like me are very reticent to use the word at all because of the presumptive characterizations of being angry, argumentative and out to prove THERE IS NO GOD.

There's no dogma. "Atheism" cannot be compared to a religion. It CAN, however, be compared to herding cats.

Awesome! I hope they get posted EVERYWHERE! :D

Reason 1 - god 0

Result!

Jonnell

"I was just saying that I am not ever stopped on the streets to be converted." I was stopped on street many times. And some people kept ringing my door for two years trying to "talk about bible".

"What I was trying to point out was that almost every comment above mine was pro atheism and I was trying to open up the plying field a little."

They have their point, because many people met someone who tried to "convert" them into their beliefs.

The statement on the bus doesn't seem atheistic to me (otherwise it would be "There is no god"). It more like agnosticism (note "probably"). There is a room left for a doubt - there might be or might not be a God here, pick any option you like. It is very mild and unoffensive statement, which allows you to question your beliefs, but doesn't immediately state they are wrong. It is sad that campaign provoked too much noise - it simply means that society is too biased in favor of religion.

"Christianity is a frequently bashed religion where it is still politically okay to do so. Any other religion such as Judaism or Muslim is off limits"

Statement on the bus doesn't target christians. It doesn't mention ANY religion. It says "there's probably no God". Why did you assume this is christian god?

"Like I said, I have never seen a Christian preaching the good book on any street corner."

I wasn't talking about Christians. And they don't preach. They give you pamphlets and ring at your door to talk about bible. And when you actually read the bible, and talk back (Old Testament is a fun reading) they ignore everything you say and just keep telling that you are wrong and they are right.

haha I think it's brilliant.

Anyone who is offened by them, needs to get a life.. OBVIOUSLY.

Plus everyone has their right to their own opinion...

They have pro-religion billboards too!

I understand that everybody is free to believe in whatever he/she wants. But religion is ready to kill everyone who doesn't believe. Every religion wants to rule and nothing else. Remember what they teach us - everyone has to work hard whole his life without complaining, to obey to his lord on earth and heaven live in poverty and suffer, although namely priests don't work, dont live in poverty and don't obey. For this sake they are ready to pull back the human progress for centuries. Remember "Dark Ages"! Believing in god a person admits that he is a fool with not enough brain in his head to think, but enough to believe.

Someone here said that teaching children to believe in god is almost the same to believe in Santa. But when they grow up Santa will not say to them to kill in the name os god, but the priest will.

Sorry for my English. I am Bulgarian.

I am a Christian and I too enjoy this campaign. It is a sad truth that many times other people of my faith and those like it are too busy spouting scripture and condemning others to sit down and have an open conversation about why they believe what they believe. My roommate is an Atheist. Have we talked about this? Yes we have and I truly respect her for the choices she has made. Both of us have researched many different religions and then decided, for ourselves, what we do or do not believe. It is my belief that what I believe has made me a better person--better than I was before. It is her belief that what she believes has made her a better person than she was before. Both of us made a PERSONAL decision and therefore there is no room for either of us to say one is better than the other. This is why this campaign is so important to me. In my eyes the most important thing about my finding my faith was that I attained the KNOWLEDGE of what I believe and what I don't.     The question of existence has dominated man for millions of years and, regardless of what one believes or doesn't believe, it is an issue that should be pondered and discussed. Because no matter where we are going or aren't going, no matter what we will become after life has ended, while we are living we are living together and we are all connected. Open conversations promote open minds which in turn promote open lives. I very much applaud this campaign as well as the conversation it has ensued.

i think that if athiest groups want to show how good they are for the world they should take all the money they spend as advertisements and build a fucking hospital

to kevin

atheists are not organization like church is. They can't build a hospital

to kevin.

why not tell Christians to stop wasting their money on fancy churches and meet in their homes like old times? They could then spend their money on better hospitals and schools. Not that the schools and hospitals they have right now aren't good, they're great, but so much money is spent giant buildings that cost millions and flaunt the financial stability their religion in everyone's face.

What makes people think that, just because someone believes in God, they are not enjoying their life? People who believe in God are trying to better themselves and their life in their own way. I don't understand why others must constantly ridicule them for that.

religious people are far more likely to treat us atheists badly than the other way around

I am an atheist myself, but this all seems pretty hypocritical. Isn't this the exact way in which fundamentals try to perpetuate their own beliefs, to the chagrin of atheists everywhere? I'm not offended by these adverts in any way, but professing belief in non-belief loudly on a one-sentence billboard reminds me of those "Jesus Saves!" signs which dot rural Ontario. Seems like a turn away from discussion and reason towards colourful, meaningless sensationalism. It's all a bit redundant to me is all.

This is great! It's about time atheists actually got some representation. The atheist population in most countries is probably higher than most people think, and hopefully they start coming out when they see that it's ok to NOT believe in God.

I love it. I wish it was put up in Perth, Australia :)

I think the whole atheist idea( except for some extremists- common to any belief) is that god or no god It doesn't matter- it doesn't affect your life unless you let it.

I think it is absolutely absurd that this type of expression is being considered by many countries. Hey, I agree with the freedom of speech, great idea and a large monument to the diversity of the United States Constitution, as well as many other countries Constitutions but to actively attack a well though out idea amongst the majority of the people in this world seems childish and rash. Have your opinion, but do not actively pursue to deface or damage a tradition thousands of years old. It shows a lack of class and social responsibility to accept the beliefs of those around you. I am a agnostic, and come from a prominent Catholic family and I still believe that in the topic of religion individuals should keep their opinions to themselves because you cannot change the ideals from which one believes.

Ooh, yikes. "I'm all for this so-called freedom of speech, so long as it doesn't, you know, disagree with anyone or rub anyone the wrong way..."

you must be idiots.of course there is a designer,just look around the planet and the universe.the perfection of it all.

the perection of life.you dont have to think of a fatherly figure,thats a load of rubbish.but dont try to tell me that its one big accident.

to john

I completely agree with you. To fathom an idea like the "Big Bang Theory" takes a lack of common sense. Science cannot possibly figure out and depict the ever changing conditions which surround the universe and inhabitable planets.

I've seen every argument for any god other than your basic 'sets the universe in motion' god utterly demolished on the web.

Thing is, science is making strides in the pre-big bang period as well. We don't know much for sure yet...but we're getting there. It is likely that gap will be filled as well, someday.

Most people who do cling to belief in a divine entity these days do so out of some equivalent of wishful thinking - i.e. 'Without God, our lives are purposeless.' They all boil down to this.

My response: they never had purpose in the sense that you mean, or not beyond producing the next generation. But who says we can't make our own purpose?

Same goes for any other arguments. No order/love/law/justice? Go out and make some. After all, even animals have their equivalents of those things.

My $0.02.

A.W.

To John:

Haha, your apparent belief that complex mechanisms require a designer is such a patently reductionist argument it doesn't even bare consideration.

You think something as complex as the human eye requires a designer to be as immensely detailed as it is? Then you're simply ignorant to the process of evolution.

And if you think something as complex as the universe requires a designer then you plainly don't understand string theory or the logical necessity of existence.

Not that I know why I'm even saying this, your point displays to the world that you don't even care to question anything, 'cause you've already decided your answer is "God".

It is so astounding the comments I have seen, it seems that atheists are acting themselves as if they are a religion, a counter-religion to Christianity, and there is a battle of the religions going on.  

I personally "believe" that due to advances in technology and the scientific method, we have discovered I life in an objective world that is in a constant, measurable chaos and all information is there to see. There is no secret god force that watches everybody constantly and pops out and performs miracles when no one is looking, it is absurd for me to assume such a thing. Unless... i had been told this all my life, or I couldn't handle the fact that when people die I will never see them again, or this is my only life and there are no "redo's". Or how when I die my biological computer (brain) will merely power down just as a computer does, and last time i checked all the information is there and none of it went to heaven. It is a tough world I live in, but its the only one for me, some people want to live in a fantasy world, but I can't.

When I analyze every religion independently, I cannot find a reason not to accept it, but when I analyze every religion collectively, I find no reason to accept any particular one. They are all equally as ridiculous and share so many common themes, while all claiming exclusive divinity that it just looks foolish as a whole to participate. I am an atheist, not because i don't believe in god, but because I don't believe in ANY of the gods or supernatural forces.  

That's as good a nutshell definition of atheism as any, Ben. As for atheists battling as though they are a religion, I can see how people might think that... but from my POV, I don't feel like I'm waging war; I feel like I'm trying to defend myself from an invading horde. That doesn't make me warlike or dogmatic. I'm not claiming a belief system; I'm continually *disclaiming* systems superimposed (or outright imposed) on me by default. If I could keep quiet and enjoy neutral assumptions being overlaid on me, trust me, I would be thrilled to.

There are badges to go with the bus campaign. A friend gave me one (which I've lost) but my initial response was disappointment that there was a probably in the slogan. When I actually saw a bus go past though it cheered me up. Maybe it will make people doubt and doubt is the true enemy of faith (and the motor of science). I'm not just against religion, I'm against any belief that doesn't constantly and rigorously question itself. The enemy is faith, not religion, religion is just a structure for your faith. Don't believe, doubt.

@ff6m regarding to religion as a fairy-tail-like basis of belief shows the ignorance you have of the practice which, i dont doubt due to the alteration of original christian practice hence, the absence of miracles in our present day. Religion has, in a sense, become all ritual and no practice. This is similar to revering your true self but not actually attempting to become it. If i wasnt a christian scientist i would most certainly be an atheist due to the outstanding evidence presented against mainstream theological beliefs but with the specific religion that i practice there is even more outstanding evidence against the belief of what atheists seem to think exists. As to the comment on Buddhism being a western fad i fail to see the relevance of that statement also seeing as how Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. In my previous comment i was merely referencing Buddhism to reference their similarity in trying to detach from material desires etc due to their lack of productivity in the long run.

Now, placing my own beliefs over the beliefs of another does i guess, in a sense make me a bigot in the same sense that you make yourself a bigot by claiming that theism is flawed and illogical. You say you dont think your above anyone which is besides the point. It's not whether you believe yourself to be superior to any one but whether you believe your system of beliefs to be more factual and correct than the beliefs of another. Now, id love to pedal my religion and try and convince other to think what i do because i think my beliefs are so great but, that's what is referred to as disrespect and a lack of regard for the beliefs of others. I do agree that theists need to be more sensitive to the beliefs of non-theists because if non-theists wanted to hear a religious rant they could easily attend a religious service on the designated day. I suppose that perhaps non-theists feel their religion is rather uncommon and thus, should be advertised so that others are made aware but atheism is a rather obvious choice and is, if your looking at the world in a mortal sense quite logical and so i believe logical human beings could come to this conclusion themselves.

Also, I do believe there are alot more atheists than atheists would like to think. It's not a struggle. Most agnostics would probably if given the option chose atheism over theism due to the more obvious evidence of the former.

Lastly, beliefs should not be advertised, they should be found and/or come upon by the believer so I am particularly against advertising religious or non-religious material as a system of belief in general.

I'm an atheist. I respect everyone's own beliefs and try to be sensitive to that. However, our beliefs have no place in the work place or on the side of buses. It's just ridiculous that religion is everywhere and crammed down our throats by those who think they're right, I'm wrong, and they need to shout from the mountaintops. Let me have my beliefs, you can have yours. That's just fine with me, but don't try to slip it into the workplace or advertise on public transit systems. Is nothing sacred?