Atheist ads on London buses - Page 12

Russ · 17-01-2009, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Is it? I think there's a genuine case here. The fact that not many Atheists have objected to religious advertising, doesn't mean they have no beef with it. To discount any (potential) objections from Atheists as just being tit-for-tat is a little simplistic in my opinion. The question here is if the liberties that are granted to people of faith extend to those without faith.

To be fair I did say likely. If atheists did raise such objections the most important question needing to be answered is why bring it up now...and judging by the amount of cynicism displayed on CF and in just about any other section of society towards religion I'd reiterate it's likely to be just tit-for-tat.

In any case, I image the athiests made up the majority, and if they started saying they weren't going to drive buses with pro-God slogans how far would it go? The bus company would lose a sponsor, there wouldn't be anyone to drive the majority of the buses, the list goes on.

If there were any genuine objections from the atheists, after answering why their concerns were not addressed in the past, I'm sure common sense would be applied.

frogstamper · 17-01-2009, 03:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

To be fair I did say likely. If atheists did raise such objections the most important question needing to be answered is why bring it up now...and judging by the amount of cynicism displayed on CF and in just about any other section of society towards religion I'd reiterate it's likely to be just tit-for-tat.

In any case, I image the athiests made up the majority, and if they started saying they weren't going to drive buses with pro-God slogans how far would it go? The bus company would lose a sponsor, there wouldn't be anyone to drive the majority of the buses, the list goes on.

If there were any genuine objections from the atheists, after answering why their concerns were not addressed in the past, I'm sure common sense would be applied.

This is precisely why nobody, atheist or faithful should be able to dictate to the bus company what buses they are prepared to drive, if they feel that strongly, then leave this is a job not a demo.

Russ · 17-01-2009, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper

This is precisely why nobody, atheist or faithful should be able to dictate to the bus company what buses they are prepared to drive, if they feel that strongly, then leave this is a job not a demo.

He's not dictating! He's not refusing to do his job.

He has simply said he'd prefer not to drive one of the buses with that advert on - however if only those ones are available then he WILL drive one.

idi banashapan · 17-01-2009, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

He's not dictating! He's not refusing to do his job.

He has simply said he'd prefer not to drive one of the buses with that advert on - however if only those ones are available then he WILL drive one.

why is that different from me saying I don't want to work on mondays, but if no one else is about, then I suppose I'll do it.... must be nice being able to determine your own working Ts & Cs!!!

Russ · 17-01-2009, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

why is that different from me saying I don't want to work on mondays, but if no one else is about, then I suppose I'll do it.... must be nice being able to determine your own working Ts & Cs!!!

I really can't understand why you're not seeing how simple this is - he is saying he'd rather not drive a bus with that slogan on however if those are the only ones there then he'll do it.

Just like "I'd rather not have a desk by the door but if that's the only one available then ok no problem".

No-one is being inconvenienced, no-one is being put out.

papa smurf · 17-01-2009, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreverwar

Some people don't pray to be answered, they pray to be heard.

as i understand it,if no one answers its faith ,if some one does its lunacy

unless your david icke then your just talking to yourself.

**Hugh** · 17-01-2009, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

as i understand it,if no one answers its faith ,if some one does its lunacy

unless your david icke then your just talking to yourself.

Perhaps some just keep it to themselves, as faith can be a very private thing.

idi banashapan · 17-01-2009, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

I really can't understand why you're not seeing how simple this is - he is saying he'd rather not drive a bus with that slogan on however if those are the only ones there then he'll do it.

Just like "I'd rather not have a desk by the door but if that's the only one available then ok no problem".

No-one is being inconvenienced, no-one is being put out.

then if it's as simple as that, why is there all this fuss????

downquark1 · 17-01-2009, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

then if it's as simple as that, why is there all this fuss????

Because it causes controversy if they phrase it certain ways. Like that whole Birmingham council ban on atheists lie.

idi banashapan · 17-01-2009, 20:24

which is the point I made earlier...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

To be totally honest, I think that if the media had not hyped up the whole thing in the first place (about the adverts making an appearance), I don't think many people would have even realised they were on the sides of buses. let's be truthful, we are so swamped by ads these days we filter them out as best we can to the point where they can really be invisible. Who remembers the advert on the side of the very last bus you saw? not the last ad you remember seeing on a bus, but the ad on the last bus you set eyes on....

Russ · 17-01-2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

then if it's as simple as that, why is there all this fuss????

Because it's yet another case of those nasty religious types getting their own way at the expense of "white, working class English" people.....

Stuart · 18-01-2009, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

I really can't understand why you're not seeing how simple this is - he is saying he'd rather not drive a bus with that slogan on however if those are the only ones there then he'll do it.

Just like "I'd rather not have a desk by the door but if that's the only one available then ok no problem".

I have the desk by the door in my office, and, TBH, I'd rather not, but I just put up with it. Although in my case It's more because I supect that me moving my desk would actually inconveniance other people.

Anyhow, that's off topic..

Russ, would you feel the same way if the bus driver had (say) refused to drive a bus with a ladies underwear ad on it? Or an ad for Condoms?

Russ · 18-01-2009, 00:35

You thought Christians were against ladies underwear?! That's a discussion in itself....

Anyway would I feel the same way? Yes I would. If someone finds one aspect of their work uncomfortablle for whatever reason and the employer is able to accommodate their wishes as is the case in this story then why not as long as its within reason?

**Maggy** · 18-01-2009, 23:15

Quote:

"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life"

Something has been niggling me about that.

It's the use of the word probably.It makes it seem as if they aren't sure themselves...

Why not just come flat out and say "There's no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life"?

Mind I suppose it does sound rather patronising.

Russ · 18-01-2009, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Mind I suppose it does sound rather patronising.

It's never bothered them before

I think they use the word 'probably' to stay the right side of the advertising laws.