Welcome
14.10.08 | Ariane |
Atheist, Atheist Bus, Campaign, Fundraising, Humanist, New Humanist, Resources, Richard Dawkins, Secular, Support, Website
Welcome to AtheistCampaign.org! Our aim is to raise the profile of atheism through innovative and exciting advocacy projects, starting with the Atheist Bus Campaign.
We’ve linked to all the leading atheist, humanist and secular organisations and initiatives. Please visit them to learn more about the resources and support available to non-religious people. You can join the BHA or NSS (or FFRF if you’re in the US), subscribe to New Humanist magazine (or Free Inquiry), renounce your religion, and maybe even decide to set up your own atheist blog (if you do, let us know). If you’d like your site to be included on this list, please write to us using the form on the contact page.
We’ve also enabled comments to encourage discussion of all campaigns and topics. We hope you enjoy AtheistCampaign.org, and look forward to your suggestions for changes and new campaigns.
October 20th, 2008 at 21:06
Go atheist bus!
October 21st, 2008 at 1:27
You do realize of course that the banner “There is probably no god” is agnostic, not atheistic?
I would go with just “There is no god”, or if you feel you must be more relaxed about it, perhaps “There is no need for god”, or “There is no evidence of a god”. Personally, one I have seen that I like is “God didn’t bring any ID” but that’s maybe a little abstract.
Cheers
October 21st, 2008 at 2:21
I hear the sound of wheels in the distance (or maybe that’s just the fundies hissing).
October 21st, 2008 at 2:43
[...] Go look… [...]
October 21st, 2008 at 10:28
5.500 was maybe a little low to aim for, looking at how fast the target has been reached.
How about having a smattering of buses outside of the capital as well?
October 21st, 2008 at 12:47
This is great… absolutely outstanding!
I’m an American but I’m in full support of this and donated to the cause! Good luck Britain!
Hopefully we can get something like this going on in America also (lord knows we need it!).
October 21st, 2008 at 12:53
No-one knows what’ll happen when we die – this seems to be the crucial one. If there’s no God, and no afterlife I’ve lost nothing, if there is a God and a heaven or a hell it’ll be a little late to consider my options.
October 21st, 2008 at 13:09
Er, surely if you’re all atheists then using the slogan “there probably isn’t a God” shows either a lack of conviction or maybe a desire to keep the door open just in case……? And why is Dawkins supporting this? He’s adamant there is no God so this goes against his religious beliefs.
October 21st, 2008 at 15:22
You do realize that if the Christians made bus banners with the same degree of certainty that your banner demonstrates we’d be reading things like:
“Jesus is probably Lord”
or
“80% of vicars and 59% of dentists are of the belief that Jesus is Lord”
you guys not sure, yet?
October 21st, 2008 at 15:34
The Christians wouldn’t go half-arsed like this. Be assertive: ‘There are no gods.’ is what the slogan should be.
No capital ‘g’ let’s take in all gods and not be Christian-centric and adhering to the ‘God’ usage.
And saying ‘probably isn’t a God’ is again being subserviant to the religious. Even the word Athiest is defined as a word derived from ‘Thiest’. And Non-believer is also out. I believe supernatural beings do not exist…including gods.
No more pandering and unintentional fore-lock pulling.
Having said that great to see an ad will be at all. Well done!!!!!
And they say organising athiests is like trying to herd cats…
October 21st, 2008 at 15:40
“And they say organising athiests is like trying to herd cats…”
Well, £23K in a day seems like they can be herded this time!
October 21st, 2008 at 16:23
I think “almost certainly no god” is probably better. However I like the idea of “There are no gods”. Might be a bit strong for the bus companies.
Still, “There is no God” is my fave.
Good work all round.
October 21st, 2008 at 16:29
Happy for you to do so since you said “probably”. You have the right to advertise as a legitimate group. Thanks for the free advert to consider that perhaps we do need to review the way we live. Also for giving kudos to those who do believe. More advertising for God cannot hurt, now can it. Specially when you think he PROBABLY does not exist.
October 21st, 2008 at 16:32
Great idea, but it’s too weak for me. Would you say “There is probably no Father Christmas”?
Given how much time a divine being has had to prove his existence (and his ludicrous failure to do so) and given the needless cruelty and suffering endured by living creatures on this planet, isn’t it time we faced up to the fact that there simply is NO god?
And frankly, even there was a god, shouldn’t he be the target of scorn and opprobrium for being such a hypocritical, vain, feeble (or alternatively, psychotic) excuse for a divinity?
October 21st, 2008 at 17:11
““And they say organising athiests is like trying to herd cats…”
Well, £23K in a day seems like they can be herded this time!
”
Exactly! Great isn’t it!
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:34
Wow, I read about this but didn’t believe it could actually be true.
Do any of you realize how pathetic this is? You give honest atheists a bad name by turning atheism into a radical religion dedicated to converting the world. The belief in no god is no different from the belief IN god. It all takes faith in the unprovable.
Stop worrying about other people’s beliefs. Get out and live your own lives. Losers.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:25
I wish all the semi-literate pedants on these threads who are claiming this phraseology implies agnosticism rather than atheism would buy a damn dictionary.
October 22nd, 2008 at 19:17
I wish you folks would stop trying to convert!!! Don’t we have enough problems with too many ‘religions’ attempting to ‘convert’ the heatherns? You have to be a moron to continue forcing your so-called non belief onto others!
I am a pantheist. see: pan·the·ism (pnth-zm)
n.
1. A doctrine identifying the Deity with the universe and its phenomena.
2. Belief in and worship of all gods.
If you believe in anything including yourself (I doubt it), simply have quiet injoyment of what you do or not believe.
October 22nd, 2008 at 20:27
for the americans reading this , there is a great organization doing similar things in US.
See http://www.ffrf.org
October 22nd, 2008 at 21:49
I like the phrase “No God Is In Charge, You Are”
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:43
I am glad that your organization leaves the door open to the possibility of God rather than closes it completely. To me this sounds more agnostic than truly atheistic. Maybe that gives your message a broader appeal and an umbrella for those who are atheistic and agnostic. However, as a Christian, I understand that many times it is Christians within the body of Christ who have caused damage to others rather than extended a healing hand. Of course, that doesn’t accurately represent God’s heart, and at times Christians’ failures in this area are part of why I believe people are vehemently opposed to Christian truths and essentially Christian truth. And opposed to God Himself. But none of us became perfect when we became Christians any more than we were before we had a relationship with Him. We’re expected to be perfect, but He’s the only perfect one in the picture. We’re not better than anybody else and still sin, make mistakes, call it what you will….. And most of us know we do.
I do think there is an idea that if you are wholeheartedly committed to Christ and call the scriptures perfect and correct you are automatically called a judgmental bigot who must be stupid to believe a book would be accurate after all this time, but no one would call anyone who is wholeheartedly anything else a bigot. But I think most Christians’ sincere desire is that people experience salvation and a relationship with Christ for all eternity and that the truth of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection would be known. That’s not some “anti” anyone else’s belief. It simply is what it is.
I read about this bus thing online somewhere, and I do hope it will make people think. I think this may be a highly effective way to point people to the cross because I think better to be in the conversation and have an honest dialogue than not to talk about it or just have a heated and judgmental stand on either side. I honestly think this will be something that will help people head in the direction of Jesus.
Those who are completely committed as atheists and agnostics probably would be swayed little. People who are still wondering (wandering) will likely want certainty and think about it once reading this. I think the “probably” is part of that that will prod them toward looking into it more. Either way, I honestly think you will indirectly benefit the move of Christ in England. I am glad for that, no offense.
I know Christians can present a message that includes the burn in hell type paperwork that goes along with the message sometimes. I find that offensive, not because there aren’t people who will burn in hell, sadly, but because it sounds incredibly judgmental and sounds like bullying to me. No one would “give in” to that, not a God who sounds capricious and hard hearted. God gives people a chance, a choice, and free will; none of us are robots unless we choose to act like one, whatever our beliefs are.
But no one should hesitate to tell a child in compassion: “If you don’t look both ways, you’ll be hit by a car when you cross that street.” Telling someone, “Don’t touch that. It’s hot,” when you know the consequence will be a burn is not wrong or judgmental. It just tells you what happens when you do it. I think that is the spirit in which a Christian should share with someone else about hell, God’s judgment, etc. It isn’t unkind to tell the child to look before he crosses the street because he could be hurt. Honestly, accepting Christ is the route to eternal life and salvation by God’s grace.
November 8th, 2008 at 20:37
Oh dear Tracie, your have been brain washed!
March 11th, 2009 at 10:04
Appreciate the info guys, thanks
September 18th, 2009 at 18:40
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!]