Atheist ads on London buses

I voted it is ok for others reasons because whatever your belief is this is a country of free speech and if it is ok for churches to have their quaint little posters outside then this has to be ok as well. For those that feel this is needlessly offensive or antagonising i can't say i understand why it's a few words on the side of a bus and will not directly affect you nor is it as far as i can see attacking any faith merely putting forward a view that many believe in. I can't help feel some people are way too sensitive about things that are nothing really and certainly not something important enough to waste any worry over so maybe an attitude of "whatever" would be better rahter then getting upset about it.

[papa smurf]

i voted yes it gives a voice to atheists, not that we need a voice ,you cant actually change the laws of physics or evolution to fit your beliefs , but you can threaten people with with all sorts of punishment if they don't believe in god, not any god of course it has to be the one the only god , but it seems there's so many it gets confusing,but you would think that just leads to more debate[only it doesn't ]it leads to more unscientific drivel ,backed up by quotes from the bible[ a book of dubious origin]full of stories to frighten children into the belief system, and the whole thing goes on and on without end , but at end of the day its the believers right to believe , its a short life we have, waste it as you please it wont impact atheists one iota, and please stop knocking on our doors were fine we don't need saving.

[danielf]

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.

[alferret]

Personally I dont care. I dont think I have ever acted upon an ad that was on the side of a bus or a bill board regardless of what the advert was.

Originally Posted by danielf

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.

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.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

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

I didn't know that.

I am an Atheist and do not feel the need for advertisements to affirm that we exist unlike the the church seems to have to do in many ways nowadays.

All you need to do is walk or drive past your local church and the are posters and signs trying to entice you in, it is quite sad in many ways considering the power the church once had over our lives that they find the need to advertise for people to attend church in some form or other.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

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.

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...

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by danielf

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...

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.

[SMG]

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 SMG

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.

Well, I for one will try to ensure they're kept separate. Dan is right, the original thread did drift a lot, but then the religious threads usually do because it's a vast subject and it interests a lot of people (for a lot of different reasons, of course).

[SMG]

I do think another option on the pol should be "I don't care".

Although these slogans do sometimes brighten up the bus, & sometimes bring a smile, this one is just plain pants.

If the ad said "God probably doesn't exist, but if he did, he would drink carlsberg"..........OK.......... Its simply designed to get people talking about the subject, & in that respect, its done its job.

[danielf]

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 Escapee

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.

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?

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by danielf

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.

I was making a point.
You obviously feel strongly about the subject. as do many feel strongly about the subject of God.
The only thing the subjects really do is cause arguments. as can be seen from the God threads we have at the moment, and the new UFO one.