More photos and video available
7.01.09 | Jon - Webmanager |
Photos, Video
Thanks to Josh there are more launch photos available, and also a video of the launch from Zoe Margolis.
Also a few more photos from site visitors – click each photo to view the full size version. Route 73 in London from Carlosfelipe Pardo, route 122 in running from Cardiff to Tonypandy in South Wales from Gareth Rosser, and a bus in Manchester sent by Phil Moss. Keep sending those contributions to photos {at} atheistcampaign(.)org
A bus on route 4 in York, sent in by Leon Dumont with his enthusiatic colleague in the photo!
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January 7th, 2009 at 12:38
I think its great that atheists are standing up for themselves, however nicely, against the unfounded condemnations of so called “believers.”
How can I contribute?
Ronald Williams
roncwms {at} aol(.)com
January 7th, 2009 at 14:51
Nice campain..
I made a danish translation of your message, and dane’s can buy the t-shirt here:
http://seogeek.spreadshirt.net/dk/DK/Shop/Article/Index/article/Gud-findes-sikkert-ikke-8305484
January 7th, 2009 at 20:06
Although it is good that humanists get themselves heard (or read in this case), I do not like the message itself: ‘Enjoy life’ seems like a very empty and hedonistic thing to do.
If we want to have a meaningful and satisfying life we should not indulge ourselves too much in enjoyment, but make a contribution to society and to the people that are close to us.
I hope you can get a new ad on those buses!
January 7th, 2009 at 22:47
It’s been said that religion is faith without proof and science is proof without faith. How reassuring to see reason making a comeback – and on a bomb-the-bus, no less! BRAVO.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:25
I am an ordained Lutheran pastor in the U.S. and have been for over 30 years. Congratulations!!! Does God exist? I believe so, but not the one I learned about in seminary I think. PROBABLY more universal as “known” by the world’s religions. I’m not worried as to whether there is a God. Once again Congratulations on publishing your side. I find it refreshing. Pastor Carl Erickson
January 8th, 2009 at 14:07
I see the Flying Spaghetti Monster, enraged by the bus campaign, has taken out a wind turbine in Lincolnshire. Reports on the Today programme spoke of giant tentacles in the sky. It’s obviously peeved at being left out of the advert.
January 8th, 2009 at 16:15
I am all for debating and reasoning about the exsistence of God and the meaning of life.However,i would like to ask a question in connection with your campain:Why do you not come up with an anternative to religion?Our society is still largely based on religious ethics and ideas and even though most of us can debate freely about religion these days,there is still a lack of alternative ideas as to what different system of values can be,if not religion takes that place.I want to close my entry with a quotation:”One can not provide proof that God exsists,but one also can not prove that he does not exsist”
January 8th, 2009 at 16:16
I don’t quite understand Atheism. It seems so counter productive – spending so much time living in an opposed belief only seems to emphasize the possibility that the opposed belief may have some validity. Since neither stance can be proven in absolutes that ALL can agree on, the sum of both proves “FAITH” to be real and valid since it takes “FAITH” to believe that either are correct! Either way, God is a hot topic and to no avail to human prosperity as a whole due to much fighting between the two. I will say this, while George Carlin is DEAD ON with most of his witty jokes, I would disagree with him that “Atheism is a non-profit organization” as all ISMS stand to generate large profits through emotion.
Peace,
~JanColdwater
January 8th, 2009 at 19:23
The top picture looks like 2 of the buses crashing into each other. Now try claiming ‘act of God’ on the insurance.
January 8th, 2009 at 22:17
I love the slogan. I don’t find it hedonistic at all. Being humorous does not mean I am irresponsible or unethical. The very principle of atheism is ‘reason’. And I want to enjoy life ‘reasonably’ that is so far that my enjoyment does not prevent others fron enjoying.
January 8th, 2009 at 22:56
JanColdwater, an atheist’s lack of belief in a god does not require faith, it requires just that: a lack of belief in a god. Nothing more and nothing less.
My lack of belief that all Chinese people should be rounded up and incinerated does not in any way emphasize the possibility that the opposed belief may have some validity.
However, the conviction shared by many atheists, including those responsible for this campaign, that the world would be a better place without religion, is an article of faith.
January 8th, 2009 at 23:06
How desperate are Christian Voice that they have to go moaning to the ASA? Surely if there was a God, he would smite the buses bearing the advertisements?
I personally believe that religion is a private matter – it is not for public consumption – do whatever you want behind closed doors with other consenting adults, get a grip Christian Voice!
January 8th, 2009 at 23:11
Wonderful! I have been waiting a long time to see these adverts on the streets of London and it makes me smile every time I see one. “Now stop worrying and enjoy your life” for me encapsulates everything about having reached the conclusion that there is are no Gods and no such thing as an afterlife – each of us only has one life and we should each make the most of it.
January 8th, 2009 at 23:42
I wonder if you could get posters for bus shelters that said:
There’s probably no bus. Now stop waiting and enjoy your walk.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:13
interesting slogan, nice.
regardless luckily for norms, rules, and social economic status I doubt worry would dissolve regardless of ones religious belief.
unless all atheists are enjoying a worriless life, then hello medical world, we’ve found a cure.
January 9th, 2009 at 16:02
I am a Christian from Brazil living in Germany and I love these campaign! Thank you, I love to think about these topics as Christian too!
January 10th, 2009 at 15:00
Dear oh dear, I am not sure exactly what athiests know about Christianity. Christians do not worry and they do enjoy life, this is because of their belief that there is a GOD. Maybe the Church should back a counter campaign with the slogan ” There probably is a GOD, now stop worrying and enjoy life”.
Your campaign is very obviously not very well thought out, due to a great lack of knowledge in the faith you think you know about.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:29
Moomins, that would be a very mature response. Sadly the big-name christian proselytizers are instead choosing to threaten people with eternal suffering and accuse them of involvement with child murder. See the Mary Kenny article as one example. Neither of these claims are true which is why people shouldn’t worry about them.
January 11th, 2009 at 14:23
As a committed Atheist I welcome this campaign. I will say to all you offended Christians who believe we are not informed about their religion, that I am extremely well read in the historical theories of many religions including Christianity from a diverse range of authors. How do you think I chose to become an atheist? Whether all atheists are ‘enjoying life’ is I believe not the most important intent of the message but a great way to stimulate constructive dicourse. From: One very happy Atheist who is enjoying life without the shackles of guilt instilled by many religions!
January 11th, 2009 at 15:57
Wow becca, what a comment!!! Only, if you had really looked into Christianity you would see that it has no shackles or guilt attatched to it. No matter how well read you are, you don’t seem to have grasped the concept of Christianity.The lord Jesus Christ paid the price for all, accepting Christ does not put restictions on your life, Christianity gives you freedom…..Christianity differs from ALL other religions, there are absoultley NO SHACKLES…………please before commenting on religions that you actually know what you are talking about, that comment goes out especially to Christians, who if they understand their faith will know that God is Love, not condemnation.
As a Christian myself, I am appalled at Mary Kelly’s language and offensive nature. There is a message to be had in her concerns, but they way she has tackled the issue has not advocated Christianity in any way.
January 11th, 2009 at 16:00
Sorry, I meant to say mary kenny, not kelly.
January 11th, 2009 at 22:40
Comment #17, moomins wrote:
‘ Dear oh dear, I am not sure exactly what athiests know about Christianity. Christians do not worry and they do enjoy life, this is because of their belief that there is a GOD. Maybe the Church should back a counter campaign with the slogan ” There probably is a GOD, now stop worrying and enjoy life”.
Your campaign is very obviously not very well thought out, due to a great lack of knowledge in the faith you think you know about.’
Well that is the problem now, isn’t it: religious types of any creed would NEVER admit that there ‘…probably is a GOD’…
January 11th, 2009 at 23:01
Roy, if you read the following information used by this athiest website, you will find out exactly why I used the term ‘probably’ and not ‘certainly is’.
You will find this information in the FAQ tab on this page.
Why only ‘probably’ no god?
As with the famous Carlsberg ads (‘probably the best lager in the world’), ‘probably’ helps to ensure that our ads will not breach any advertising codes Committee of Advertising Practice advised the campaign that “the inclusion of the word ‘probably’ makes it less likely to cause offence, and therefore be in breach of the Advertising Code.”
Ariane Sherine has said, ‘There’s another reason I’m keen on the “probably”: it means the slogan is more accurate, as even though there’s no scientific evidence at all for God’s existence, it’s also impossible to prove that God doesn’t exist (or that anything doesn’t). As Richard Dawkins states in The God Delusion, saying “there’s no God” is taking a “faith” position. He writes: “Atheists do not have faith; and reason alone could not propel one to total conviction that anything definitely does not exist”. His choice of words in the book is “almost certainly”; but while this is closer to what most atheists believe, “probably” is shorter and catchier, which is helpful for advertising. I also think the word is more lighthearted, and somehow makes the message more positive.’
Personally, I would never deny God and I cannot scientifically prove to you that He exists, I am certain He exists through the words of The Bible and through personal experience. I have had to say ‘probably’ due to the ever increasing political correctness in this country, just the same as this athiest campaign has.
January 11th, 2009 at 23:27
moomins, I am well versed in why the word ‘probably’ has been used in the atheist bus campaign.
The use of the word ‘probably’ in the ABC is not because of political correctness as you say.
My point is that an atheist would never with CERTAINTY say that god does not exist, whereas theists would never admit the possibility of the non existance of God.
Big difference.
January 11th, 2009 at 23:28
Wow Moomins, Generally, your belief is like mine. Yes, I believe God is love and we followers of Christ should practice that. This is part of my faith.
And then there is the flip side, the faith and belief of Atheists. I guess the Atheists are the Evangelicals and the Agnostics can be compared to the rest of us in Christianity?
Carl
January 11th, 2009 at 23:46
Roy, I think you will find that athiests actually do say with certainty that God DOES NOT exist, you could even try the dictionary, im sure you will find the correct definition in there, athiest comes from the greek word ‘atheos’ which means without God. Looks to me like your sitting on the fence.
Carl, I am no tepid Christian, I believe in standing up for my Faith but I also believe there is a way to do it.
January 12th, 2009 at 13:44
No fence sitting here: I do not believe there is a god however I cannot prove such a thing which is why my preferred statement would be ‘There is almost certainly no God…’
You may call that fence sitting but to me (and probably most atheists) it’s better and more honest than the theists’ certitude in the un-proven existence of God.
January 12th, 2009 at 13:51
No fence sitting here.
I do not believe that there is a god but cannot prove such a thing so my preferred wording would be ‘There is almost certainly no God…’
To me, that is a more honest position to take than the theists’ certitude in the un-proven existence of God.
January 13th, 2009 at 20:56
Roy, et al,
I believe there is a God. It is a matter of faith for me. I cannot prove it.
I can understand an atheist who points out the history of Christianity vehemently stating, “The destruction caused by your church causes me to believe there is no God.”
As I understand that history and accept it individuals did that. Not all of us. Tragically human nature distorts God’s purpose as I understand it by faith.
Humans distort many of the world’s religions’ intent and purpose.
Carl
January 25th, 2009 at 21:11
Roy, I agree you are not fence sitting. I also agree that there is no proof of God. My faith causes me to believe in God, though I cannot prove His or Her existence.
Christians worry like anyone else and do not enjoy what is going on in their lives from time to time. Worry as when a relative is very sick and of course do not enjoy that.
I’ve been watching and reading about the Brit atheists and US humanists. Without a god or God as religions interpret, do you know a power or influence greater than yourself that supports and inspires you in your life?
September 18th, 2009 at 19:03
I’d just like to draw your attention to this:
“The Atheist’s Guide To Christmas” is the UK’s first atheist charity book, featuring contributions from Richard Dawkins, Derren Brown, Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Claire Rayner, David Baddiel, Charlie Brooker and many more. It’s been edited by Ariane Sherine, the creator of the hugely successful Atheist Bus Campaign. It’s out on Oct 1st and all royalties are going to the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust. Please pre-order now:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atheists-Guide-Christmas-Ariane-Sherine/dp/0007322615/
The Atheist’s Guide is a mix of humorous and poignant contributions from over 40 various prominent atheists. It’ll make an ideal Christmas gift for your atheist friends. Your religious friends will love it too, or, even better, it’ll put them in a foul mood for Xmas! So a win-win situation! More info on the Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128903634833
Your support will not only maintain the profile of atheism in the UK, it will also help raise funds for the very worthy THT charity. Please note that the contributors, and Ms Sherine, have waived payment for their considerable input into the “Guide”.
Thank you, and please pass this message on to everyone you know!!
[My apologies if you already know about the Guide!]