Does God Exist? Let's ask the Advertising Standards Authority!

[cultcross]

I think that's it as well Pingfah. Although you are secure yourself, imagine being a little less self assured and walking past church signs, facing doorstep converters etc telling you 'repent or die' and seeing nothing at all from your own side saying 'hey, you know what? your beleifs are just as valid.'

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

it gets people questioning their beliefs, which is always a good thing.

As long as there's equal opportunity questioning.

Quite right. Everyone should question their beliefs from time to time, to stop complacency and fundamentalism.

I don't consider myself a 'fundamentalist' (whatever that really means). I am not out to convert people. That's not how I roll, dawg. My pastor once put it like this: we shouldn't look at nonbelievers like targets to be converted, but rather as people we can befriend spiritually. If they want to hear what I have to say, fine. If not, then I should just back it up a bit.

And this may not mean anything to you, but...not only do I consider myself a Christian *and* a huge Rush fan, but I even bought Snakes & Arrows. What 'fundamentalist' would do that, eh?

(Even though I'm pretty much a complete polar opposite, beliefs-wise, to Rush's lyrics, I totally love songs like "Armor And Sword", I think it's really cool. The metaphor of using my faith as an armor to protect me, is quite appropriate, but never use it as a sword to attack.)

 

[Pingfah]

I think that's it as well Pingfah. Although you are secure yourself, imagine being a little less self assured and walking past church signs, facing doorstep converters etc telling you 'repent or die' and seeing nothing at all from your own side saying 'hey, you know what? your beleifs are just as valid.'

I guess so yes.

Still, if they were expecting that religious people just reading the message "There is probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life" to understand that it was aimed at atheists and agnostics and not proselytising at them, then that's a little naive. They MUST have known it would stir this controversy.

The double standard it has revealed in the attitudes of some Christians is really quite delicious though. I find it hard to believe that wasn't at least a secondary aim.

 

[The Badger]

I don't consider myself a 'fundamentalist' (whatever that really means).

Well as I understand it the term fundamentalist refers to some one who will not allow any argument or evidence to change their belief. Often, though not always, this mindset leads to the denial of any fact, no matter how well supported, that contradicts the belief. Tragically it can sometimes lead to aggression towards those of other beliefs.

I must stress that it was not my intent to imply that anyone on this forum fits this distinction.

Babaganoosh, if everyone who held religious beliefs had the same attitude as you and your pastor, I think things generally would be a lot nicer!

Pingfah, you are probably right about it deliberately stirring a little controversy. But it also succeeds in raising awareness about Atheism. If the only messages you see on a bus are ones telling you about one specific view point, you may not realise that others are available. To paraphrase Dawkins, a lot of people are unaware that not believing in God is a valid option.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I think that's it as well Pingfah. Although you are secure yourself, imagine being a little less self assured and walking past church signs, facing doorstep converters etc telling you 'repent or die' and seeing nothing at all from your own side saying 'hey, you know what? your beleifs are just as valid.'

I guess so yes.

Still, if they were expecting that religious people just reading the message "There is probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life" to understand that it was aimed at atheists and agnostics and not proselytising at them, then that's a little naive. They MUST have known it would stir this controversy.

The double standard it has revealed in the attitudes of some Christians is really quite delicious though. I find it hard to believe that wasn't at least a secondary aim.

The Anglican Church and the Methodist Church have both come out in support of "There probably is a God" campaign. These churches believe any campaign because they believe that not only do atheists have a right to state their beliefs but also such ads can trigger healthy, philosophical debate.

As I previous said as an athiests I would be cheered up by a sign that reinforced my beliefs especially as I have been bombarded with so many Christian messages thoughout my life.

If someone says to us "Star Trek is a great show" don't we feel better than having someone say to us "Star Trek is full of shit" even though it doesn't really change our view of Trek if other people don't like it. The same with these campaignm, it makes atheists feel better about their beliefs.

 

[Pingfah]

^ Yes I do see why it might cheer some people now. I just find it hard to relate to that.

It doesn't cheer me, I just don't care. Atheism isn't a belief system to me, the question of whether there is a god is absolutely not central or fundamental to my life and there is simply nothing to reinforce.

 

[RJDiogenes]

But as for Red Dwarf, no, I've never seen it.

I find that to be tragic. It is one of the greatest sci-fi show of all time and certainly the funniest. If you do get a chance watch seasons 1-6, season 7 and 8 aren't really worth watching.

I've heard of it, but I don't think it's ever been broadcast around here; I'd be happy to check it out.

Still, if they were expecting that religious people just reading the message "There is probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life" to understand that it was aimed at atheists and agnostics and not proselytising at them, then that's a little naive. They MUST have known it would stir this controversy.

By the same token, the religious know that their campaigns are taking a stab at people, too. Don't forget, the Fundamentalists hate Atheists as much as they hate Gays or whoever-- so much so that many are afraid to publicly admit that they don't believe in a god-- so I'm sure a lot of people take comfort in seeing their own beliefs represented in a positive way.

 

[Pingfah]

^ You are right RJ, we just posted at the same time, so little explanation of why I didn't see it from that side until it was pointed out is above you

Also, you really really must see Red Dwarf

 

[Bob The Skutter]

But as for Red Dwarf, no, I've never seen it.

I find that to be tragic. It is one of the greatest sci-fi show of all time and certainly the funniest. If you do get a chance watch seasons 1-6, season 7 and 8 aren't really worth watching.

I've heard of it, but I don't think it's ever been broadcast around here; I'd be happy to check it out.

It will have been, it's been quite popular over there but I believe it was on PBS.
Here's a list of where it's running at the minute.
http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/tv/index.cfm?category=usa

here's a youtube link with clips put up by BBC Worldwide, but I'm sure you can probably find full episodes up there somewhere.
http://uk.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B42D4A12C6D49C07

Still, if they were expecting that religious people just reading the message "There is probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life" to understand that it was aimed at atheists and agnostics and not proselytising at them, then that's a little naive. They MUST have known it would stir this controversy.

By the same token, the religious know that their campaigns are taking a stab at people, too. Don't forget, the Fundamentalists hate Atheists as much as they hate Gays or whoever-- so much so that many are afraid to publicly admit that they don't believe in a god-- so I'm sure a lot of people take comfort in seeing their own beliefs represented in a positive way.

That may be the way in the US, but as has been said in this thread, in the UK 25% or more admit to being atheists, most people say C of E for religion out of habit rather than belief and if pushed would probably say they don't believe. Outside the US, in most of the UK and Europe being an atheist isn't something to hide, or be ashamed of, maybe this is a campaign that would be better served running in the US, letting people know they shouldn't worry about their lack of belief...

 

[The Badger]

It seems that humanist associations around the world are now doing their own versions of this, including parts of the US.
For some reason it's not been allowed in Australia. A pity, as they had thought up the best slogan "Atheism. Lets you have a lie in on Sunday morning" .

 

[RJDiogenes]

^ You are right RJ, we just posted at the same time, so little explanation of why I didn't see it from that side until it was pointed out is above you

Ah, so we did. I agree with you, as well. To me, being an Atheist is like being a non-smoker; there wouldn't even be a word for it if it wasn't for the other guys.

Also, you really really must see Red Dwarf

I'll try!

It will have been, it's been quite popular over there but I believe it was on PBS.
Here's a list of where it's running at the minute.
http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/tv/index.cfm?category=usa

Nothing local or on my On Demand currently, unfortunately. WGBH used to show Doctor Who so maybe they'll run Red Dwarf at some point. I'll keep an eye peeled (and I'll check out those clips).

 

[Pingfah]

Ah, so we did. I agree with you, as well. To me, being an Atheist is like being a non-smoker; there wouldn't even be a word for it if it wasn't for the other guys.

Exactly yes. Given some of the reactions i've had from people when I've stated that though, it appears to be a very threatening point of view to many people.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Ohhh, yeah....

 

[stoneagepunk]

There is no god, and may god strike me down, were it to be otherwise

 

[TorontoTrekker]

If there were a God, I probably would have suffered at least second-degree burns due to my proximity to my friend Sarah Rosenholtz one night... we went to our bowling league, then we stopped at a McDonald's afterwards. I forget what it was called, but they were selling bacon cheeseburgers at the time, and she had one. And it was Yom Kippur.

I was expecting to be struck by lightning the second we got outside... and I don't even believe in God. Since I wasn't, I feel vindicated in my non-belief.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If there were a God, I probably would have suffered at least second-degree burns due to my proximity to my friend Sarah Rosenholtz one night... we went to our bowling league, then we stopped at a McDonald's afterwards. I forget what it was called, but they were selling bacon cheeseburgers at the time, and she had one. And it was Yom Kippur.

I was expecting to be struck by lightning the second we got outside... and I don't even believe in God. Since I wasn't, I feel vindicated in my non-belief.

God must have known that, hey, it's McDonalds, so how authentic could the bacon have been?