Atheist Buses Take to Streets.

EvilBiker · 7th January 2009, 03:25 AM

Atheist adverts declaring that "there's probably no God" have been placed on 800 buses around Britain after an unprecedented fundraising campaign.

I like how the campaign's "modest target" of 5500 GBP was met within minutes!

ETA: Mods, feel free to move this to R & P if you so desire.

Francesca R · 7th January 2009, 03:33 AM

The pictures searchable here have been mockups until a couple of days back. I haven't noticed any yet although I don't tend to take much notice of what's on the side of buses.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=atheist%20bus&w=all

ETA--Haha, this one's probably more to my mind:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/solobasssteve/3174820236/

ETA2--Are you a journalist? Has nobody ever raised a hundred and forty grand in three months before?

Originally Posted by EvilBiker

after an unprecedented fundraising campaign.

Undesired Walrus · 7th January 2009, 03:47 AM

I'm disappointed in the slogan. It comes off as slightly juvenile for such a topic, and allows such a thought (There's probably no God) to appear as a mere whimsy. It also allows the Church to put out these statements:

Quote:

The Church of England said Christian faith allowed people to put their life into a "proper perspective".

A spokesman said: "We would defend the right of any group representing a religious or philosophical position to be able to promote that view through appropriate channels.

"However, Christian belief is not about worrying or not enjoying life."

They are not defending themselves against intellect. They are put in the driving seat. Why not a Carl Sagan quote or something?

I was annoyed by the usual indecisive eyewitnesses on BBC News too 'I don't think its positive, I think we should be left alone etc'.

Shrike · 7th January 2009, 03:47 AM

Isn't this thread about two months late?

Francesca R · 7th January 2009, 03:49 AM

No, the buses in the UK did not launch until this month.

Shrike · 7th January 2009, 03:52 AM

Ah, right, sorry.

EvilBiker · 7th January 2009, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Francesca R

ETA--Haha, this one's probably more to my mind:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/solobasssteve/3174820236/

Classic!

Quote:

ETA2--Are you a journalist? Has nobody ever raised a hundred and forty grand in three months before?

No, although my father was one...

The 140k in three months is no biggie, I agree. I was commenting on the pic caption that mentioned their initial campaign target was met in minutes.

EvilBiker · 7th January 2009, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by Francesca R

No, the buses in the UK did not launch until this month.

Phew, for a minute there I thought I had not searched the forum properly.

Francesca R · 7th January 2009, 04:02 AM

It has come up before, here http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=129583

I think there was a previous thread too. Can't find one.

Soapy Sam · 7th January 2009, 07:37 AM

I thought there was an Autumn release in London which has now gone UK-wide.

Francesca R · 8th January 2009, 01:08 AM

I didn't see any last year, nor could any pictures be found on the web so I conclude not.

gtc · 8th January 2009, 03:41 AM

Do we know what route they are on?

Francesca R · 8th January 2009, 05:16 AM

The six sixty-six to Hell Central.

Dunstan · 8th January 2009, 09:12 AM

I find it amusing that the presence of an ad on the side of the bus is enough to cause the headline to refer to the entire bus as an "atheist bus."

learner · 8th January 2009, 09:47 AM

"Christian voice" ( Cristian pressure group) has lodged a complaint to the advertising standards agency They will now have to rule on the validity of the posters claim? C.V. spokesperson on radio5 now saying the posters must be substansiated!

The mind boggles

learner · 8th January 2009, 09:51 AM

It seems that the posters are in response to Christian posters proclaiming hell for the non-followers. As to the validity of these posters there was no mention. C.V. spokesman seems to have adopted the Christianity is de-fault position.
Trying to cook dinner at the same time, I may be wrong.

TX50 · 8th January 2009, 10:55 AM

"Christian Voice" have published a "press release" here:

http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/Press/press109.html

ETA: It's not about their complaint but it's still amusing (or depressing)
reading all the same.

TX50 · 8th January 2009, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Dunstan

I find it amusing that the presence of an ad on the side of the bus is enough to cause the headline to refer to the entire bus as an "atheist bus."

They should have a sign on the buses saying "Atheists only"!

Darat · 8th January 2009, 12:56 PM

They might not be around that much longer:

Quote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7818980.stm

...snip...

An atheist campaign claiming "There's probably no God" has been reported to the advertising regulator

...snip...

By who and on what grounds you may ask?

Christian Voice has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority saying they break rules on substantiation and truthfulness

DC · 8th January 2009, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Francesca R

The six sixty-six to Hell Central.

roflmao

Francesca R · 9th January 2009, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by Darat

They might not be around that much longer

Well we'll see, but the complaint was surely to be expected and I would not expect the authority to pursue it. It falls apart with the highlighted bit:

Quote:

"There is plenty of evidence for God, from people's personal experience, to the complexity, interdependence, beauty and design of the natural world.
But there is scant evidence on the other side, so I think the advertisers are really going to struggle to show their claim is not an exaggeration or inaccurate, as the ASA code puts it."

If they did, then one would have to see which side had the deepest pocket for a legal wrangle. (Now someone will furnish us with depressing news that the Christian Voice is eligible for legal aid from the state . . . )

ETA--actually whoever sells advert space for the bus companies would probably nix the adverts on an ASA ruling

CrikeyBobs · 21st January 2009, 08:02 AM

As expected, the ASA has rejected the claim

Gord_in_Toronto · 21st January 2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by CrikeyBobs

As expected, the ASA has rejected the claim

WHAT?? You mean the Empire will not collapse and people will be not slaughtered in the streets by roving bands of ravers?

God Save the Queen.

7th January 2009, 03:25 AM	#1
EvilBiker Muse Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cape Town Posts: 759	Atheist Buses Take to Streets. Atheist adverts declaring that "there's probably no God" have been placed on 800 buses around Britain after an unprecedented fundraising campaign. I like how the campaign's "modest target" of 5500 GBP was met within minutes! ETA: Mods, feel free to move this to R & P if you so desire.
	__________________ Truther in a nutshell: "Here's three posts saying what I think of the Legge Paper. I haven't bothered to read it..." - tnemelckram, PFT Last edited by EvilBiker; 7th January 2009 at 03:28 AM. Reason: Forum move suggestion

7th January 2009, 03:33 AM	#2
Francesca R Girl Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London EC1 Posts: 11,825	The pictures searchable here have been mockups until a couple of days back. I haven't noticed any yet although I don't tend to take much notice of what's on the side of buses. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=atheist%20bus&w=all ETA--Haha, this one's probably more to my mind: http://www.flickr.com/photos/solobasssteve/3174820236/ ETA2--Are you a journalist? Has nobody ever raised a hundred and forty grand in three months before? Originally Posted by EvilBiker after an unprecedented fundraising campaign.
	Last edited by Francesca R; 7th January 2009 at 03:40 AM.

7th January 2009, 03:47 AM	#3
Undesired Walrus Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: London Posts: 10,882	I'm disappointed in the slogan. It comes off as slightly juvenile for such a topic, and allows such a thought (There's probably no God) to appear as a mere whimsy. It also allows the Church to put out these statements: Quote: The Church of England said Christian faith allowed people to put their life into a "proper perspective". A spokesman said: "We would defend the right of any group representing a religious or philosophical position to be able to promote that view through appropriate channels. "However, Christian belief is not about worrying or not enjoying life." They are not defending themselves against intellect. They are put in the driving seat. Why not a Carl Sagan quote or something? I was annoyed by the usual indecisive eyewitnesses on BBC News too 'I don't think its positive, I think we should be left alone etc'.
	__________________ Man's material discoveries have outpaced his moral progress. - Clement Attlee, 1945

7th January 2009, 03:47 AM	#4
Shrike Warning: May Contain Nuts Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waddinxveen Posts: 2,326	Isn't this thread about two months late?
	__________________ <This space for rent>

7th January 2009, 03:52 AM	#6
Shrike Warning: May Contain Nuts Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waddinxveen Posts: 2,326	Ah, right, sorry.
	__________________ <This space for rent>

7th January 2009, 03:49 AM	#5
Francesca R Girl Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London EC1 Posts: 11,825	No, the buses in the UK did not launch until this month.

7th January 2009, 03:52 AM	#7
EvilBiker Muse Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cape Town Posts: 759	Originally Posted by Francesca R ETA--Haha, this one's probably more to my mind: http://www.flickr.com/photos/solobasssteve/3174820236/ Classic! Quote: ETA2--Are you a journalist? Has nobody ever raised a hundred and forty grand in three months before? No, although my father was one... The 140k in three months is no biggie, I agree. I was commenting on the pic caption that mentioned their initial campaign target was met in minutes.
	__________________ Truther in a nutshell: "Here's three posts saying what I think of the Legge Paper. I haven't bothered to read it..." - tnemelckram, PFT

7th January 2009, 03:54 AM	#8
EvilBiker Muse Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cape Town Posts: 759	Originally Posted by Francesca R No, the buses in the UK did not launch until this month. Phew, for a minute there I thought I had not searched the forum properly.
	__________________ Truther in a nutshell: "Here's three posts saying what I think of the Legge Paper. I haven't bothered to read it..." - tnemelckram, PFT

7th January 2009, 04:02 AM	#9
Francesca R Girl Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London EC1 Posts: 11,825	It has come up before, here http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=129583 I think there was a previous thread too. Can't find one.

7th January 2009, 07:37 AM	#10
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	I thought there was an Autumn release in London which has now gone UK-wide.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

8th January 2009, 01:08 AM	#11
Francesca R Girl Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London EC1 Posts: 11,825	I didn't see any last year, nor could any pictures be found on the web so I conclude not.

8th January 2009, 03:41 AM	#12
gtc Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: the downunderverse Posts: 7,114	Do we know what route they are on?

8th January 2009, 05:16 AM	#13
Francesca R Girl Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London EC1 Posts: 11,825	The six sixty-six to Hell Central.

8th January 2009, 09:12 AM	#14
Dunstan Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sunnyvale Trailer Park Posts: 4,292	I find it amusing that the presence of an ad on the side of the bus is enough to cause the headline to refer to the entire bus as an "atheist bus."

8th January 2009, 09:47 AM	#15
learner Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: dorset england Posts: 1,588	"Christian voice" ( Cristian pressure group) has lodged a complaint to the advertising standards agency They will now have to rule on the validity of the posters claim? C.V. spokesperson on radio5 now saying the posters must be substansiated! The mind boggles
	__________________ "I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous" - My Mate Dave " How do you expect me to use my initiative if you wont tell me what to do?" - Dave again

8th January 2009, 09:51 AM	#16
learner Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: dorset england Posts: 1,588	It seems that the posters are in response to Christian posters proclaiming hell for the non-followers. As to the validity of these posters there was no mention. C.V. spokesman seems to have adopted the Christianity is de-fault position. Trying to cook dinner at the same time, I may be wrong.
	__________________ "I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous" - My Mate Dave " How do you expect me to use my initiative if you wont tell me what to do?" - Dave again

8th January 2009, 10:55 AM	#17
TX50 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,551	"Christian Voice" have published a "press release" here: http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/Press/press109.html ETA: It's not about their complaint but it's still amusing (or depressing) reading all the same.
TX50 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,551	Last edited by TX50; 8th January 2009 at 10:58 AM.

8th January 2009, 11:00 AM	#18
TX50 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,551	Originally Posted by Dunstan I find it amusing that the presence of an ad on the side of the bus is enough to cause the headline to refer to the entire bus as an "atheist bus." They should have a sign on the buses saying "Atheists only"!
TX50 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,551

8th January 2009, 12:56 PM	#19
Darat Lackey Administrator / JREF Forum Liaison Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 64,731	They might not be around that much longer: Quote: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7818980.stm ...snip... An atheist campaign claiming "There's probably no God" has been reported to the advertising regulator ...snip... By who and on what grounds you may ask? Christian Voice has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority saying they break rules on substantiation and truthfulness
	__________________ If it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart? - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1918-2008

8th January 2009, 01:02 PM	#20
DC dedicated aphilatelist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Switzerland Posts: 21,631	Originally Posted by Francesca R The six sixty-six to Hell Central. roflmao
	__________________ AGW is a fact, including the A, face it

9th January 2009, 05:43 AM	#21
Francesca R Girl Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London EC1 Posts: 11,825	Originally Posted by Darat They might not be around that much longer Well we'll see, but the complaint was surely to be expected and I would not expect the authority to pursue it. It falls apart with the highlighted bit: Quote: "There is plenty of evidence for God, from people's personal experience, to the complexity, interdependence, beauty and design of the natural world. But there is scant evidence on the other side, so I think the advertisers are really going to struggle to show their claim is not an exaggeration or inaccurate, as the ASA code puts it." If they did, then one would have to see which side had the deepest pocket for a legal wrangle. (Now someone will furnish us with depressing news that the Christian Voice is eligible for legal aid from the state . . . ) ETA--actually whoever sells advert space for the bus companies would probably nix the adverts on an ASA ruling
	Last edited by Francesca R; 9th January 2009 at 05:47 AM.

21st January 2009, 08:02 AM	#22
CrikeyBobs Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 421	As expected, the ASA has rejected the claim

21st January 2009, 01:03 PM	#23
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,409	Originally Posted by CrikeyBobs As expected, the ASA has rejected the claim WHAT?? You mean the Empire will not collapse and people will be not slaughtered in the streets by roving bands of ravers? God Save the Queen.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick