Sorry, and New Videos!
13.01.09 | Ariane |
Ariane Sherine, Canada, Radio 4, Tech
We’re truly sorry that the site has been down since this time yesterday. We’ve fixed the bandwidth issue now and it won’t happen again.
To apologise, here’s a brand new video of last Tuesday’s launch from our advert and website designer Graham Nunn:
You can also see the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation video below (you have to scroll to halfway through):
http://www.cbc.ca/national/latestbroadcast.html
(To get involved with the brand new Atheist Bus Campaign in Canada, please visit http://www.atheistbus.ca)
And if you haven’t yet seen the official campaign launch video by The Guardian, here it is:
There’s also been lots more global press coverage:
Los Angeles Times
New York Times
Le Figaro, France
Dallas News
Sydney Morning Herald
Toronto Globe & Mail
PerthNow
The National (UAE)
Washington Times
And lastly, I was really excited to be asked to give the first non-religious Thought For The Afternoon on Radio 4 last Saturday. You can listen to it here at 4.35 minutes in:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ghmbp/iPM_10_01_2009/
Thanks for all your support!
January 13th, 2009 at 14:52
Congratulations on getting a ‘Thought for the Afternoon’ slot! Unfortunately, the audio cuts out for me just as they’re introducing you!
January 13th, 2009 at 15:02
Thanks – and sorry to hear that. Try this link instead:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_FfkhrdPcU0
January 13th, 2009 at 16:12
Te National (UAE)
“Among her suggestions for preparing for Christmas, for example, she included doing a duck waddle round the sitting room, sucking your tea mug to your face, thereby becoming what she describes as “a mug monster” (a species which, to my certain knowledge, proved even beyond Darwin’s powers of detection), or going to the supermarket with a wig made from tinsel, and a sprig of mistletoe dangling down in front of your face.”
I just knew that would come back to haunt you, Ariane!
January 13th, 2009 at 17:49
Direct link to the CBC video:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/popup_nlp.html?http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/news/features/arsenault-atheists090112.wmv
January 13th, 2009 at 19:13
The greatest Scientist in the World, Einstein and also many others used “Thought Experiments” for many of their findings.
With Quantum Mechanics as well as with simple logics it is easy to prove that there can not be a Almighty GOD. Only thing you need is to read and think with the open mind.
You created everything in this world in your mind. Do you believe it. There is volumes of scientific evidence on that.
In other words, what you see is what you want to see or, everything is your perception. Simply speaking all the basic components of everything you see on this universe is made of what is found in the Periodic table or in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Almighty GOD is for Weak people.
January 13th, 2009 at 20:06
Has anyone transcribed that or shall I?
Actually, if it’s not too big that would make a great back-print for the t-shirts.
January 13th, 2009 at 21:49
Well done. On Monday saw my very own fiver on a Bristol bus. Good international coverage too.
January 14th, 2009 at 19:12
“We live in a beautiful, fascinating and complex world and we’re all trying to make sense of it as best we can. There are 6.7 billion of us living on this planet, belonging to hundreds of different belief systems. Most of us want to live peacefully, yet we also want to think that our own personal beliefs are the right ones. And if we are right, whatever we believe, that means millions or possibly billions of other people must be wrong.
“As a world full of individuals, we are never all going to think the same way. What we can do is accept that we hold many different beliefs and focus instead on what unites us as human beings, because we are truly similar in so many ways. We all want to feel loved, and to give love freely. We all want our children to be happy, healthy and safe, and for them to receive a good education. We all want to live long enjoyable lives free from fear and pain and we’re all muddling through life the best way we know how.
“What’s important are not the beliefs we hold, but that we are free to hold them and that we always express them peacefully. That we see all other people as individual human beings just like ourselves, who love and hurt and laugh and feel pain and hope. That we share our lives with people of different backgrounds, that we talk about all kinds of ideas, calmly and openly and that instead of letting our differences divide us we let our similarities bring us together.
“Britain is a wonderful country where people are free to believe in whatever they like and that includes nonbelief. Many people think Humanists and Atheists don’t believe in anything. This isn’t true. We may not believe in a god, but like most believers we think we only have one life on this planet. Nobody knows for certain what happens after this but we know that we only have a very short time in which to experience all the excitement, adventure, love, fun, humanity and kindness available to us.
“We’re lucky to be alive and to live life to the full we need to share it with others and learn from them, whatever you or I believe.”
– Ariane Sherine, Radio 4, 10/01/09
January 14th, 2009 at 21:09
You also received coverage in the french newspaper Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2009/01/14/les-bus-athees-partent-a-la-conquete-de-l-europe_1141561_3224.html
January 14th, 2009 at 21:16
Finally got around to watching these videos. This whole thing is just making my year. I love it. So positive and life-affirming. That Douglas Adams quote is now officially my favourite quote ever! Although maybe because it’s the only quote I can remember.
Ariane, this is brilliant. Thanks again.
January 14th, 2009 at 21:50
@Richard: It’s just surreal – I can’t believe Mug Monster has gone intercontinental!
@Gillian: Many thanks.
@Bernard: Blimey – hope you got the fiver back!
@Michael: Thanks very much for the transcription – I appreciate it.
@Francois: Cheers for the link.
@Tom: Very glad you’re enjoying it – you’re very welcome!
January 14th, 2009 at 22:22
Michael: Very many thanks for going to the trouble of the transcription.
Ariane: Reading these five paragraphs for the first time really brings out the utter simplicity, truth & beauty of your Thought4TPM. This should be read by every one of the 6.7 billion. Is there some way this might appear elsewhere, on billboards, tube/bus interiors, CIF etc.?
It’s truly awesome.
January 14th, 2009 at 23:11
Hello guys,
I have just one question to ask: do you have scientific evidence of everything you believe in…?
January 14th, 2009 at 23:16
I was originally going to say something about the text when I posted it but looking at it all set out… what’s to say?
I think the great thing about Ariane is that she’s all about acceptance. Other high-profile atheists try to tell people that they’re wrong. The message comes across so much more potently without that.
January 14th, 2009 at 23:17
Congratulations on the first ‘thought for the afternoon’, and on giving such a well written and eloquent one at that! Given the expressed skepticism by the hosts and the ‘trial’ nature of the whole thing, I can’t think of a better standard-bearer.
January 15th, 2009 at 0:50
…and now “Atheist Bus – The Cartoon!”
http://www.jesusandmo.net/
dated Jan 13th.
January 15th, 2009 at 19:19
Absolutely brilliant. As an atheist it can be very difficult to discuss such points of view and I love that this has been handled in such a delicate way. It is not offensive or mean it simply calls attention to an important issue. It is nice to see some common sense pop up in the world from time to time. Thanks.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:47
I commend you on your creative campaign and great website.
Nonetheless, I am praying for you as Jesus did on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
May the gift of faith fall freshly on you and that you may one day use your great talent and cognitive skills for God’s glory.
January 16th, 2009 at 5:11
congratulations on becoming the exact thing you are “fighting”……..
January 16th, 2009 at 9:51
Why “probably” instead of “there is not”? You do believe but want to advertise yourself and open the door to islam world in Europe by undermining catholic religion. You’re not that smart! God will ask you to account for all the damage you are causing to youngsters!! That’s for sure.
January 16th, 2009 at 14:47
I am with you all the way on spreading religious scepticism, but this “probably” is a huge mistake, whatever Dawkins and Toynbee say. I cannot prove, in strict logic, that God does not exist, but why should I? Cart before the horse. It is for the religious to make the case for God, not for the irreligious to disprove it. By saying “probably” you admit they might possibly be right, and that is an own goal of immense proportions — not worthy of rationalists and sceptics.
Nobody would seriously ask you to prove that crop circles aren’t made by aliens. And if you did take the bait, you wouldn’t say “probably not”.
January 16th, 2009 at 15:10
Michael: (#20) “Probably” complies with the ASA rules, and no-one can be absolutely certain something doesn’t exist, like fairies and the Easter Bunny.
And it’s ironic that you use the phrases “Catholic religion” and “damage you are causing to youngsters” in the same paragraph. Most Catholics are ashamed of the systematic abuses carried out by their church. “That’s for sure“!!
Benjamin: We’re not fighting. Where just daring to put forward a different belief. Try it sometime.
Aaron: It’s very kind of you to think of us, but I won’t hold my breath! If it’s okay with you, I’ll put my own “talent and cognitive skills” to something of some importance.
January 16th, 2009 at 15:31
Other Michael, can you please explain how you think that Catholicism is weakening Islam?
January 16th, 2009 at 16:02
Wrong on ASA standards. This is an assumption. The code states you can given an opinion so long as it is clear it is one. Any claim made must be proved if it is “capable of objective substantiation”, which any claim for or against God clearly cannot be.
It might not have been done because it might have been deemed capable of causing offence, but that is a different story and quite permissible. However, having made the change the campaign should have been called the Agnostic Bus. (“Like some of the Bendy buses, I’m not quite sure where I am going.”)
January 16th, 2009 at 16:28
@24: Not an assumption. As far as I’m aware, Ariane was explicitly told by the ASA that they wouldn’t run it without the ‘probably’ in there.
January 16th, 2009 at 17:29
http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/probably/
January 16th, 2009 at 19:06
If that’s what they told her, I’ll take your word for it (tho’ you haven’t resolved whether it was because of the liability to cause offence or not). I just went by looking up the ASA code.
Even so, should still have been an Agnostic Bus as a result of the insertion of “probably”. On philosophical issues like this, there is no such thing as pedantry! Putting the “probably” in puts you perilously close to Pascal’s position on the issue: “I can’t prove God exists, but I had better praise him anyway, just in case he does exist.”
January 16th, 2009 at 22:11
Just heard about your campaign. Good luck with it. I don’t believe in any gods, but I’m not going to join the atheists until you can at least match the holidays of the theists. The Christians, for example, give you every Sunday off, as well as Easter & Xmas. If the atheists promised, say, every Saturday & Sunday off, plus a long weekend every month, I think your campaign would do much better. Just a thought. Best wishes. K.S.
January 17th, 2009 at 1:53
I pray to my Heavenly Father above that He allows into your life whatever it takes to bring to your knees in repentence and total dependence on Him.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:35
God Bless you Aaron, when two or more are gathered…, i have been praying the same prayer. Join the Jesus bus campaign and show your support, http://www.awonderfullife.org.uk
January 31st, 2009 at 14:47
Hello Christian,
I’ve just had a look at the Jesus Bus Campaign and would be interested to know how you were doing financially?
Nothing succeeds like success and you might like to bear in mind that atheist campaigns enjoy the significant advantage that atheism in the population at large (not speaking personally) tends to follow education as does money. i.e. well-educated people are more likely to be atheist and also tend to have the highest incomes. I think this might be contributing in a significant way to the success of the ABC.
Still, in your case, perhaps god will provide.
February 16th, 2009 at 19:13
Hi,
i do not really feel i can respond to your comment as it is your opinion and has too many floors to even warrant a response. If you would like to know how the campaign is going then look out for the buses which will be around. The fool says there is no God. You can find out more by keeping an eye out for the updates on http://www.awonderfullife.org.uk
September 18th, 2009 at 18:59
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!]