Atheist bus coming to a route near you
Something interesting is going on in London.
Richard Dawkins and the British Humanist Society plan to combat “happy clappy” Christian advertising by using bus advertising to broadcast their own slogans.
Here’s the Just Giving donations page.. So far they’ve raised twenty times the cash they wanted, in a few days. If nothing else, read the comments of people who have donated. Lots of “well im going to hell now LOLZ!!!111” but also a few gems, e.g. Phil Higginbotham says: “Aloha from Kauai, Hawaii. Did you hear that Palin thinks Dinosaurs are Jesus Ponies.” Brilliant!
Almost £100,000 in 3 days. And you thought your average atheist had short arms and deep pockets. Though, in retrospect, I think ol’ Dicky Dawkins had an inkling that this might happen, since he “generously agreed to match all contributions up to a maximum of £5,500“. What kind, china?
Anyway. As you probably know, I’m a committed atheist. But even my callous heart has to question if this is the right tack. I mean, for starters – £100k would go a long way to helping actual humans in need, particularly those in countries with a favourable exchange rate. E.g. the Rand, haha!
Secondly, 'scuse me if this betrays my Blighty roots, but do we really want this stuff adorning the sites of our beloved red routemaster bendy buses? What would Red Ken say? We should be told.
So, what do you make of this? I’d be really interested to know, so leave a comment below =)
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seanheking 06:08 on 24 October 2008
too much time on your hands pete – then again I read it ! have a great one basking in your 19 to 1 glory but just remember the days are getting longer and the sun warmer – the last of winter is leaving us, heading north to chill your bones :)
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Leanne 08:24 on 24 October 2008
I liked the comment that the ad should say “There’s probably no God. Hope we don’t crash!”
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thomas 09:20 on 24 October 2008
Imagine a bus like this was to be paraded through deepest, darkest, red-neck America. I dare say the local NRA chapter would make quick use of it for target practice. But in London, the bus is embraced. Is there such a fundamental difference between the enlightened (atheists) and the fundies (god-fearing types) and is it dependent on the country? If this bus were to roll through, for example, San Fran or Berkeley would the fundies come out of their caves? Would they wave their burning torches and make their way up to Castle Doom (occasionally stopping for low-fat-white-choco-frapaccinos)? What fundie reactions have been observed in London? I’m rambling on here…
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Greg 09:20 on 24 October 2008
“No God = no birth of a son = time off work for nothing = result!”
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cath 09:38 on 24 October 2008
Christian Del makes me laugh. what a twatt. I am however, intrigued to find out what they plan on doing with all the cash cash money. Perhaps fly the Atheist Campaign over the world?
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Don 11:00 on 24 October 2008
I think this idea is great – and there should be more of it! Why should organized religion have a monopoly on advertising lifestyles!
I also think that its one criticism of the atheist movement that they aren’t organized – but this may be one of the traits of an atheist.
I hope that from the surprising reaction that the fundraising has shown, more people will find courage and dignity in going public with their atheism. If there are more people out there, more people will join in a snowball effect that could really shake up the social thinking in the UK and beyond – i.e. the USA and the middle east.
Wishfull thinking?
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Greg 15:35 on 24 October 2008
How have you people got time to write so much? Being an un-organised (as my boss will testify to) atheist I am far too busy with last week’s work to be on here…er…
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nick kw 15:25 on 28 October 2008
do you think polar bears ride jesus donkies?
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peter 15:28 on 01 November 2008
A humourous follow-up: a new JustGiving page has sprung up, asking for donations to combat the Atheist Bus with their own Alpha messages. Only a few hundred quid so far, and many of the messages seem to be from atheists. Not really the campaign success they were hoping for…