Hey preacher, leave those atheists alone! 7

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 15 Jan 2009

With so many reasons for commuters of any religious persuasion to feel uncomfortable about travelling on public transport, surely the fact that a poster suggesting that there is ‘probably no God’ and to ‘enjoy your life’ is in close vicinity is fairly far down the list.

Yet, that has not got in the way of complaints being made to the Advertising Standards Authority nor MPs passing a motion that the atheist bus campaign adverts, which launched on the London Underground and buses around the UK last week, make Muslims and Christians (never mind Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians etc) uncomfortable about travelling on vessels on which said heretic adverts appear. In truth, however, it’s the biggest non-threat to religion since ‘The Da Vinci Code’.

Why these atheists have gone down an evangelical path, I don’t know. There is as little chance that the slogan ‘There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life’ will convert a believer to atheism as there is that a church-side sign saying ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’ will convert a pagan to Christianity.

Let’s just accept the atheist bus campaign for what it is. A whimsical and surprisingly successful fundraising effort and most likely a less successful – although no less whimsical – social campaign.

Are there fundraising lessons to learn from it? Perhaps. Are there causes infinitely more worthy of donations than it? Pretty much definitely.

But, I can’t help but feel (with 13 years of half-hearted Catholic schooling under the belt) that maybe its critics should turn the other cheek or wait for the next bus.

Who's Who: Celina Ribeiro

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Kimberley MacKenzie
26 Jan 2009

Dear Hanne,

Thank you for weighing in! I really value your comments. In my original post I was going to confess being a humanist and go on a bit of a rant myself. Then thought better of it in a professional fundraising forum with others who may not agree with my personal beliefs and values. I think that is the point of the campaign yes? That it is okay to have these kinds of discussions - we are all part of one human family..... Love the campaign - happy for your website will go there now!

Cheers K

[Reply]

Hanne Stinson (BHA CEO)
24 Jan 2009

What are we trying to achieve? Well it isn't, and was never intended to be an attack on religion or an attempt to "proselytise" for atheism. After all, a bus advert isn’t going to convert anyone, and whilst a few – but very few – commentators have seen it as "anti-religious", most have recognised it as a simple statement of non-religious beliefs.

The advertisements are a response to particular hellfire-and-brimstone adverts: we see our slogan is affirming that it’s OK not to be religious; that if you are not religious, there is no reason to worry about that, and that one can lead a happy, enjoyable and rewarding life without religion – and of course we recognise that the best way of achieving that is by working with, co-operating with, and supporting other people to do the same.

The other reason for running the campaign is that many non-religious people feel that religion is beamed at them from all directions and are increasingly concerned about the influence that religion has on public policy and the law - that government and local authorities consult faith leaders on just about everything, but atheists and humanists don’t have a voice. I think the incredible response we got from donors confirms that – and the government should listen.

More here: www.humanism.org.uk/bus-campaign.

Hanne

[Reply]

Martin Davies
22 Jan 2009

I'm a Christian. I catch buses regularly. Never bother with what is written on the bus. Adverts for films I have no intention of watching, adverts for films I love, or products I won't buy. All the same to me. The bus goes where I want to go, I will catch it. Can even say 'Everyone on this bus is an idiot' and I'd catch it.

Seems like some people are remarkably thin-skinned if they get offended by whats on a bus. And its not even as if the advert itself is worded with emotionally charged words or insulting words. Perhaps those who feel a different message is needed should get together and pay for one. Perhaps an advert saying 'This is an advert'.

Martin

[Reply]

Sue Fidler
21 Jan 2009

Actually I think there is a benefit to the campaign. I agree it isn’t going to convert anyone who believes in God, and i don’t think that is it's purpose. As you say it isn’t meant to offend as the inclusion of "probably" shows - given that atheists do not believe in the existence of God "probably" is clearly conciliatory. However atheists have as much right to advertise their beliefs as anyone else – so if we plan to ban this we should also ban the bus ads for the alpha course which proliferate. Then there is the fact that people being pressured into religious belief or action might be reassured by the fact that somebody can stand up and give an opposing view. And finally as you mention – the point is surely “Stop worrying and enjoy your life” isn’t the main point that we should stop killing, maiming and bullying each other over personal religious beliefs and get on with living? In the current environment of tension between Christians and Muslims, Israel and Palestine, that is a good message to be spreading.

[Reply]

Kimberley MacKenzie
19 Jan 2009

I'm sorry - what is the purpose of the campaign? I don't get it. Atheists don't tend to care about whether others come "over to their side". But wow! Looks like the campaign was so daring and provocative it gave voice to a silent majority. I'm tempted to get into a theological debate right here so I guess Julie's point is well made. They got the country talking....WOW. I wish Canadians would be so brave. Kimberley

[Reply]

John Marshall
19 Jan 2009

Good point Julie! As a Christian, I admire the bus driver for refusing to drive the bus! I am not sure on the motivation of the atheists. Was it really a fundraising effort as Celina suggests?

As a Christian I might change the poster to: "Thankfully there is a God - so stop worrying and enjoy life!" Amen.

[Reply]

Julie Hall
16 Jan 2009

As a christian I welcome the adverts. The whole of England is talking about the existence of God and He got atheists to pay for it.

[Reply]

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