British Humanist Association advertises on buses: "There's probably no God."

[morningpaper]

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

I can't deny that I really dislike this approach. What are they trying to say exactly? Who are these people who are sitting around worrying about the possibility that God exists?

Perhaps they should cut to the chase and say: "There's probably no God. So stop running all the free toddler groups and feeding the poor."

surely there's very little effort put into it if that advert is the sum total compared to the advertising and marketing and PR put into the opposing view across all monotheistic religions.

It would have been better if they'd reworked the Alpha Course poster so that it JUST read: "Is this shit?"

Perhaps I should offer my services as a marketing consultant?

Is that a.......

Morningpaper, your suggestion that atheists don't do charity work is offensive. Not only do we do good things we do them without being bribed/coerced as christians are.

I can see that it has upset you that non christians should be allowed to speak. Pity you can't have us burned or crucified isn't it.

I also note that this was in direct response to a christian advertising campaign on London buses which had a website address - this website told non christians that they would spend eternity in agony. This makes the slogan much more understandable

onager I am sorry I have offended you

Onager: P.s. I didn't mean to suggest that atheists did not do charity work - just that the ad campaign seemed to suggest that they should not bother, but should instead 'not worry and enjoy life'. I think worrying about one's fellow humans is an essential part of what makes one human - regardless of religious inclination. (As other posters have said)

I took it to mean don't worry about god

Mmorningpaper, that's ok. I am much tougher than that really - water off a ducks back, but am sticking up for my fellow atheists

Morningpaper, it's true that a number of voluntary sector organisations have their origins in mainstream religion; but it's an extremely outmoded view of the sector today. Stuffed with nonreligious types. (Although I have noted a perhaps disproportionate number of ex-Catholics, too - anecdotally, though, I don't have figures.)

I'm glad you didn't mean that, but we poor atheists do get a lot of persecution. I'm surprised we're allowed on the buses

Are you sure you didn't misread it mp?

Surely it said "There's probably no Cod"

"Probably"???

why don't they just have the courage of their convictions and say "There is no God"?

StGeorge - brilliant!

Because a) that would be offensive and b) we don't actually know that. Humanists believe in rational thought, and although there is no proof that a supreme being exists, we don't have conclusive proof that they don't. So probably is all we can say.

Cod, on the other hand...

It's very British, I will say that.

Not likely to have much effect on those of us who do believe. What's the target audience, I wonder?

And I can just see DS2 (a keen bus traveller) trotting out in support of his weekly List of Reasons Why He Should Not Have To Go To Church .

MP - actually you are wrong about the five priest thing, one multidomination room plus one priest's salary.

Actually MP perhaps what's you find worrying is that it's a new thing that humanists and secularists have got media savvy and have started speaking out and campaigning openly for change.

I have a lot of respect for people who follow a religion but the core of humanism - that is respect for each human as an individual with free thought is surely as common to the pious as the profane? So what exactly is pissing you off?

Actualyl what's pissing me off as per usual is Dawkins

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."

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

He is just sooooo annoying - his usual argument that religious people are basically non-thinking sheep who are psychologically abusing their children

You know a much BETTER campaign would be of a person doing Something Constructive with the slogan "I don't need the threat of hellfire to do the right thing."

A "do the right thing" campaign focusing on freedom of thought and social justice

now THAT would be much more constructive

it is the lack of engagement that I find profoundly depressing

(What is the campaign for change btw?)

Yes 6-spot it is very British

"So, there's probably no God. You know, on balance. Pimms anyone?"

In fact I think they should utilise the Pimm's Bus and use that for their campaign

That would be FAB

Ooh have found their JustGiving page.

This suggestion would have been much better:

"All aboard the Rational Express!"

I like this entry:

Rowan Williams 21/10/2008 £5.00 £1.41 I've always had my doubts....

I find it hilarious! They have to put an ad on the side of a bus??!??
"oh, look, that ad says god doesn't exist!. Never occured to me! it's got to be true! panic panic"
The next bus to pass by shows an ad for the next Bond movie...