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All Aboard the Atheism Bus

By AnonymousJanuary 8th, 2009, 3:34 pmComments (89)

 

The biggest story in Britain right now is the "Atheism Bus" campaign, which involves the rental of 800 billboard-size spaces on the sides of London's double deckers. The backers raised more than $200,000, most of it in just four days, and are now moving in to subway advertising, which we were lucky enough to get a full preview of.

"I think it's dreadful," said Sandra Lafaire, 76, a tourist from Los Angeles, who said she believed in God and still enjoyed her life, thank you very much. "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't like it in my face." But Sarah Hall, 28, a visitor from Australia, said she was happy to see such a robust example of freedom of speech. "Whatever floats your boat," she said. [NY Times]

(Of course, Lafaire wasn't asked if she minded having the other, pro-Christianity signs in her face.)

That's the bus ad, obviously. Here are three of the four or five subway posters that are about to launch:

 

 

Meanwhile, activists all over the world have taken up the call and people in other countries should expect to see atheist messages on public transit as early as Monday. Meanwhile, claiming the ads "discriminate" against religious people (again, that didn't stop them from running pro-religious ads), a Tasmanian transportation company withdrew plans to allow for a similar campaign, and is now facing a lawsuit to reverse that decision.

Australian partners, unsurprisingly, also face tremendous public opposition to their plan:

 

They hoped to put adverts on the back of buses with slogans stating "atheism

Comments ( 89 )

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 08 09 at 4:21 pm

Man, I would drive that fucking bus if they put one in Kansas City.

EmilyFarris commented on Jan 08 09 at 4:46 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 12:47 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 1:20 am

If someone could tell us where this story got picked up late Thursday night (really, just tell us which site linked to us), we'll give them a special prize...

brianfairbanks commented on Jan 09 09 at 2:37 am

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 commented on Jan 09 09 at 5:42 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 6:20 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 9:08 am

(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!

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 9:16 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 10:07 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 10:26 am

** don't expect miracles **

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 11:29 am

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 12:25 am

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!

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 2:12 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 3:06 pm

"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

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 4:06 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 4:28 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 6:01 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 09 09 at 6:52 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 3:07 am

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"

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 11:19 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 2:43 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 4:20 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 5:50 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 7:05 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 7:25 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 9:09 pm

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

https://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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 9:37 pm

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 9:48 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 10 09 at 10:16 pm

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:

https://www.iamanatheist.com/blog/

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 6:41 am

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 8:43 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 8:47 am

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!

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 9:33 am

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

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 3:04 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 3:56 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 5:28 pm

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?

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 6:02 pm

https://thinkatheist.com

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 8:12 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 11 09 at 9:36 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 1:29 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 2:47 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 11:34 am

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?

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 2:24 pm

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."

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 5:52 pm

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 -35

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 10:35 pm

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...

Anonymous commented on Jan 12 09 at 10:43 pm

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 13 09 at 12:50 pm

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).

Anonymous commented on Jan 13 09 at 10:40 am

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.

Anonymous commented on Jan 13 09 at 11:52 am

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