Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34661013)

I don't believe most atheists give a dam* about the subject, let alone argue about it. Most atheists believe in science, what they can see, smell, touch etc, not the Almighty. The subject to atheists just isn't that important.

If people want to waste money on advertising, OK. I certainly wouldn't.

Originally Posted by Angua (Post 34661059)

The biggest irony of the whole thing is that without the various religions complaining or commenting and thus providing more news coverage this whole campaign would have remained low key.

It worked well for Life of Brian ;)

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 34661062)

Are they moaning and complaining, or are they making comment when invited to do so by the Press? There is a big difference. :scratch:

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34661074)

No no, the Christian-bashing is in the other thread, otherwise this gets merged with it.

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 34661084)

Russ you can't accuse someone of Christian-bashing just because you don't agree with it. it's even unfair to me that you accuse me of doing that.

It is inevitable that things will be posted that others might take offense to, and others find amusing. that is unfortunately what happens when the subject happens to be about something as in depth as religion.

I made my views the other day that I personally would ban any discussions on religion, as this will always happen.
one person takes offense, whilst others might not.

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34661086)

Whatever - I'm not happy about this thread as it will inevitably go the same way as the other one and as soon as it does it will get merged. Probably not by myself but it WILL get merged.

Asking what people's reaction would be in a court or hospital is nothing to do with adverts on buses. You're not taking this off-topic via the backdoor.

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34661091)

You are also welcome to your views

Originally Posted by David F (Post 34661098)

Originally Posted by Halcyon (Post 34660995)

...The amount of money that has been spent on this could have been spent on much better things.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661115)

Speaking of which: Could a kind mod please add a poll to this thread? I started this one because I am genuinely interested in people's views and the numerical breakdown on this, and I don't think the other thread is appropriate for the poll.

I suggest the following question and options:

Do you agree?

No, it's needlessly antagonising/offensive
No, for other reasons
Yes, it gives a voice to Atheists
Yes, for other reasons
Undecided.

Personally, I'm not quite sure yet, I'm leaning towards option 3, but have concerns over option 1. One thing I am sure of is that it would certainly bring a smile to my face if I came out of the tube and saw one of these buses drive by.

Originally Posted by David F (Post 34661118)

Done

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661115)

I suggest the following question and options:

Do you agree?

No, it's needlessly antagonising/offensive

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 34661124)

It's your poll and you decide the choices, but is that like No it's intentionally antagonising or offensive, or No it could be seen as antagonising or offensive?

Do you see what I mean?

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661128)

Actually, the reason I was late in posting the poll was because I was thinking about proper/unbiased wording of the options. I guess there is no such thing. There is a 'no, for other reasons'. There's also the thread to post in. :)

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34661074)

No no, the Christian-bashing is in the other thread, otherwise this gets merged with it.

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 34661072)

I thought this was funny. and in a sense is true. both in todays society and yesterdays society.

If you were in a hospital and someone in there told everyone that God spoke to him. what reaction do you think he would get from those around?

If someone got arrested and told the magistrate that God told him to do it. would he order psychiatric reports for that person?

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 34661088)

Do what you want Russ. I know that you are a strong believer in God, and anything I say or do is going to upset you.
So again I will step back from this religion thread as well, as it's clear to me that you don't like anyone stating their views or opinions, but actually come across to me that you just want your own and will ridicule others that you don't agree with.

:td:

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo (Post 34661148)

Gary, just go back and edit your post and replace hospital or court with the word bus. You could rejig it, say what you want to say and keep it on topic.

Originally Posted by David F (Post 34661118)

Done

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661460)

Keep it civil please guys. I started this thread because I'm interested in how many people agree/disagree with the ads, not for it to degenerate into another insult fest.

:Peaceman:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661475)

the majority of atheists don't care enough or worry enough about any religious posters let alone want to see atheist affirming propaganda.:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661475)

My annoyance stems from the fact that I regard it as the greatest waste of time but most of all I regard it as the hugest waste of money too because the majority of atheists don't care enough or worry enough about any religious posters let alone want to see atheist affirming propaganda.:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661506)

Why is it a waste of money? It's all from private donations. People thinking 'Yes, I'd pay 5 quid for that to get a message out'. It's their money, to do with as they like. And in terms of getting the message out, it's been a smashing success: no ad has appeared yet, and it's (almost) headline news. As the Times put it, it's a marketeer's wet dream...

Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34661531)

It is difficult to discuss the thread without it leading to a generalization on the subject. Merging the posts is inevitable. probably sooner the better methinks.

Originally Posted by Escapee (Post 34661514)

I see it exactly as you have put it.

If they gave money for that purpose it was there choice, and it is no one elses business to comment on it being a waste of money.

I am in no position to say a collection box for the church roof fund is a waste of money, but I do have the option of not donating.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661539)

As the OP, I'm quite happy to have a 'I don't care' option to be added to the poll.

As for Hitler references, they are not helpful, needed, or meaningful. Please get a life.

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661540)

What's wrong with affirming your atheism by giving the money to the Salvation Army instead?Or Childline..or any one of hundreds of poorly supported charities...After all atheists as moral as the next theist surely?

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661540)

What's wrong with affirming your atheism by giving the money to the Salvation Army instead?Or Childline..or any one of hundreds of poorly supported charities...After all atheists as moral as the next theist surely?

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661540)

What's wrong with affirming your atheism by giving the money to the Salvation Army instead?Or Childline..or any one of hundreds of poorly supported charities...After all atheists as moral as the next theist surely?

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 34661542)

I was making a point.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661555)

Could you clarify your point please, as I didn't get it.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34661539)

As for Hitler references, they are not helpful, needed, or meaningful. Please get a life.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 34661570)

(although a number of his henchmen apparently were)

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 34661570)

Given the very obvious differences between the philosophy of Jesus Christ and Adolf Hitler, I doubt many people would seriously claim he was 'a Christian'. Willing to use aspects of Christian teaching to justify his own beliefs, perhaps, but he was a million miles from orthodoxy.

Mind you, it is equally fair to say that he wasn't an atheist (although a number of his henchmen apparently were).

I don't believe any of them advertised on buses either.

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 34661574)

What does that mean?

Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34661578)

That said, I think the "Hitler" bit should now end, & get back to the thread.

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661589)

Just amazed at how militant some of you are.I've never felt threatened by religion in my life...

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 34661570)

Given the very obvious differences between the philosophy of Jesus Christ and Adolf Hitler, I doubt many people would seriously claim he was 'a Christian'.

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661540)

What's wrong with affirming your atheism by giving the money to the Salvation Army instead?Or Childline..or any one of hundreds of poorly supported charities...After all atheists as moral as the next theist surely?

Originally Posted by supremus (Post 34661607)

I take that view with a lot of people who claim to be christian. I wouldn't want to make any unfair or uninformed comments about our resident bible-huggers, but 9 out of 10 christians I have come across, and I mean people I've had the time to gain real insight into, have turned out to be truly appalling people who hide behind a religious facade, but who in reality distort and pervert the true message of their supposed faith, and they're the kind of people who would be up in arms about an ad like this appearing on the side of a bus.

Originally Posted by Escapee (Post 34661635)

How would giving money to one of these charities get their message across?

Unless the Salvation Army would be willing to show the poster instead of the buses.

Your own disposable income can be spent as and how you like, peed against the wall, backing slow horses, gifts for fast loose women or posters on buses.

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661697)

So what is the message?

Originally Posted by Escapee (Post 34661703)

If you are refering to the advert, I would say the advert promotes atheists to think about something that is not a consideration in their everyday life.

Atheism is a term used to describe people who believe there is no god, and like the term Christian it covers a wide flavour of views. Many religious people believe atheists are complete non believers, not very good people and go around denouncing christ / god.

That veiw is about as accurate as those non believers who beleive all Christians are bible bashing sandal wearing loonies.

The term Atheist is unfortunately used to include those of us who beleive that the bible may be a very innacurate publication, based on disorted reports.

The term Atheist should be considered a derogatory term because it's use implies that god is fact and the Atheist is a non believer in fact.

Back to the advert, I believe they will make people give a thought about the whole subject, in fact it may even make some who never give it a thought take an interest in religion and possibly gain some much needed new members at church.

I am safe to post such things at this time on a Sunday.;)

Originally Posted by Escapee (Post 34661703)

If you are referring to the advert, I would say the advert promotes atheists to think about something that is not a consideration in their everyday life.

Atheism is a term used to describe people who believe there is no god, and like the term Christian it covers a wide flavour of views. Many religious people believe atheists are complete non believers, not very good people and go around denouncing christ / god.

That view is about as accurate as those non believers who believe all Christians are bible bashing sandal wearing loonies.

The term Atheist is unfortunately used to include those of us who believe that the bible may be a very innacurate publication, based on distorted reports.

The term Atheist should be considered a derogatory term because it's use implies that god is fact and the Atheist is a non believer in fact.

Back to the advert, I believe they will make people give a thought about the whole subject, in fact it may even make some who never give it a thought take an interest in religion and possibly gain some much needed new members at church.

I am safe to post such things at this time on a Sunday.;)

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34661658)

Not really anything to do with this thread now is it?

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34661715)

Atheist

atheism noun the belief that there is no god. atheist noun. atheistic or atheistical adj. atheistically adverb. Compare agnosticism under agnostic, theism, deism.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from Greek atheos godless.

theism noun the belief in the existence of God or a god, especially one revealed supernaturally to humans. Compare deism, agnosticism under agnostic, atheism. theist noun. theistic adj.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c: from Greek theos god.


so how is the word atheist a derogatory term?

I have NEVER been penalised by anyone for my beliefs or lack of them.

Originally Posted by supremus (Post 34661721)

It most certainly was. Not only was it a direct response to a point made by a moderator, it was also a comment on the sort of people who might take this kind of advertising personally. I've often found that bad christians have a tendency to always play the victims, so much so that it borders on outright paranoia. One guy I know goes ballistic every year when people send him cards with the word Xmas, because he thinks that spelling it with an X is an attack on his "faith". I'm quite sure he would take up arms to prevent an ad like this appearing on the side of a bus.

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34661729)

Ok then. Feel free to demonstrate your distain for some Christian types safe in the knowledge that while belong in the other thread, you are permitted to post it off topic here :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by jtwn (Post 34661862)

Thought this was quite funny -

http://www.justgiving.com/alphaposters

Not quite as successful.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34660992)

I'm interested in people's views on this (as the other thread has gone rather off-topic). Money has been raised, and some London buses will carry the following message: 'God (probably) doesn't exist. Relax, and get on with your life. What do you think?

Originally Posted by SMG (Post 34662152)

The OP asked for our views on the advert / message, God probably doesn't exist. You cannot answer that question without explaining your reasons why. This did not start off as a poll. We were asked for our views. If you restrict that, your effectively stopping people from commenting.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34662186)

...Oh, I'm also interested in the rather large, 'yes for other reasons' vote. Anyone? :)

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34662430)

I just watched Have I Got News For You on iPlayer from the other night and Ian Hislop said there may be more to this campaign than meets the eye - a sign saying "There probably is no God" might just deter a man on the top deck from blowing himself up.... :disturbd:

Originally Posted by tweetiepooh (Post 34662457)

I am a Christian and would prefer the ads weren't coming

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees (Post 34663902)

Atheists should have the same voice as any other group should they not ?

Originally Posted by Maribel (Post 34663949)

And they should have the same tax breaks as the God believing outfits (Church of England etc)

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees (Post 34663902)

Atheists should have the same voice as any other group should they not ?

Originally Posted by Siuko (Post 34663966)

Yes I mentioned that Atheists should have the same voice. I also said I would rather none of them have a public voice (that is atheists, religions, extremists, fanatics etc etc) so people can chose themselves whether they would like to learn about them.

There seems to be way to much 'I'm right, your wrong' attitude these days (especially with reference to religious extremists). How about I'm happy you choosing to believe what you would like but only talk to me about it IF I choose to ask you. And I would also like you to be happy with me choosing what I want to believe (if anything). Isn't that fair that we both then have our own opinions.

Originally Posted by danielf (Post 34682359)

Good grief, what a load of unsubstantiated rubbish and scaremongering.

Originally Posted by Lain Andrew (Post 34682365)

I agree, She's saying Atheism kills child.

Unbelievable.

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 34682400)

No I don't think she's saying that..More like that atheists don't have any better handle on society then theists...:erm: