"There's probably no God..."

[Irish Alan]

'No God' slogans for city's buses

Bendy-buses with the slogan "There's probably no God" could soon be running on the streets of London.

The atheist posters are the idea of the British Humanist Association (BHA) and have been supported by prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins.

The BHA planned only to raise £5,500, which was to be matched by Professor Dawkins, but it has now raised more than £36,000 of its own accord.

It aims to have two sets of 30 buses carrying the signs for four weeks.

The complete slogan reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: "Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children.

"Even on the buses, nobody thinks twice when they see a religious slogan plastered across the side.

"This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion."

Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the BHA, said: "We see so many posters advertising salvation through Jesus or threatening us with eternal damnation, that I feel sure that a bus advert like this will be welcomed as a breath of fresh air.

"If it raises a smile as well as making people think, so much the better."

But Stephen Green of pressure group Christian Voice said: "Bendy-buses, like atheism, are a danger to the public at large.

"I should be surprised if a quasi-religious advertising campaign like this did not attract graffiti.

"People don't like being preached at. Sometimes it does them good, but they still don't like it."

However the Methodist Church said it thanked Professor Dawkins for encouraging a "continued interest in God".

Spirituality and discipleship officer Rev Jenny Ellis said: "This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life."

She added: "Christianity is for people who aren't afraid to think about life and meaning."

The buses with the slogans will run in Westminster from January.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/u ... 681914.stm

Published: 2008/10/21 14:34:33 GMT

© BBC MMIX

[Laan Yaa Mo]

They are probably right although whether it should be proudly proclaimed on city buses is debateable since any number of believers - Christians, Muslims and Jews, might be offended.

It would be just as silly to plaster buses with a slogan that reads, "God is Great'.

Furthermore, the fact that there might not be a deity does not mean one's life becomes any easier especially when Obama is talking about trillions of dollars of government deficit for many years to come.

[westerby]

Typically British, 'there's probably no God'. Don't make a definite statement lest we offend someone.

[TJ]

Atheist bible-bashers for some reason are driven to be highly visable (certainly on forums) and choose to be in your face. It isn't that they are ignorant; mostly it is that much of what they know isn't true.

[Frankie 1]

'there's probably no God'

Well, are they atheists or not? .... or are they not sure?

[trubrit]

'there's probably no God'

Well, are they atheists or not? .... or are they not sure?

No they are definitely not atheists. An atheist firmly denies the existence of a god or gods.
They are agnostics. One who believes it is impossible to know whether there is a god.

[aznyron]

I am a believer but the bible thumpers are the problem they try to force there ideology on people who just do not want to be bothered and I am one of them organized religion is IMO load of crap and people rebel
against them we can believe with out being a member of the so called righteous religions and find our OWN way to God Kingdom not the pay as you go religious way who want your money and your mind

[laphanphon]

do i believe............well, from below, i'm not taking any chances. the arrow points to the most important one.....................Lord LA...............my favorite amulet...........

[Irish Alan]

I am an insomniac, agnostic with dyslexia... I lie awake in bed at night wondering if there is a Dog.

[rickfarang]

At least I'm not dsylxeaic

[aznyron]

well if there is no God well then life is just a waste of time if there is which I believe then we have hope
now the question is when we die do we just take our soul or does the mind follow us ? I like the idea that when we die we meet our friends & family again but I suspect that not so

[bumper]

Wow, don't know which thread to answer, yes I beleive there is a God. Relegion and churches there in lies the problem. More people have been killed in the name of religion then anything else in the world.

That being said, my beleives are personal, I don't exibit them. So this is not an easy one for me.

Do I pray yes, do I pray for thing no. You see my belief is that we haev been given the gifts already and it is up to use them.

Yuo want a job go look for work. Yuo want a better standarrd of living work for it. You want what the othre guy has, don't pray for look at yourself and decide what it is you really want.

If you look at a bible or a tora or budhist teachings. They are realy guidelines to live life by. How people interupt them is the problem.

Mine happens to be the Ten Commandments, do I achive it all the time oh heck no, but I try.

So I respect others beliefs, as long as they cause no harm to others. Fanatics in any religion are dangerous folk.

But in the end the individual has to look to himself to answer that question, cause it sure ain't in a church. wat, mosque or temple.

This is defintly a forrest moment run run, this is not a topic to get into and thats all I got say about that.

[mortiboy]

How do we define God?Is He a person? was he a person? What is this thing called "God".
How many religions are there?I don't believe is one of them.They cant all be right!

So What happens when we die? Go to heaven?What is heaven.I have visions of going to the" light"then suddenly, " WOW! A gate opens. Its Paradise!All like when Judy Garland wakes up in a technicolour world In The Wizard of OZ.There's Mum and Dad there to greet you.All your old buddies are there" Hello mate!" Gees I thought you were dead!" "I am mate".....So are you

I mean It must be so crowded there! Where they putting them all?
But out of everything, I believe there is a God."He's" helped me many times when I have been in dire straits.Pray? yes I do.But in my thoughts.I wake up in the morning sometimes, look out the window.
A bright new shiny day."Thank You God" I am fit, healthy,have food in my stomach. But Why me?
What about the others? Why they not so fortunate? Do I deserve this? Sounds to me communism!
Have a nice day chaps.Be happy God, or what it ,is looking after you.

[stattointhailand]

I'd be much happier if the "TEN COMMANDMENTS" were treated in the same way as they seem to treat the Buddist equivelent .......... you pick any three from five, and can change which ones you choose to abide by at any time.

[laphanphon]

How do we define God?

define or describe............let's go with describe.........................very sad