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"No God" Messages For Buses

By: john mce

Buses in London could soon contain atheist messages as the British Humanist Association (BHA) are fundraising to have god-dispelling advertising on bendy-buses. Professor Richard Dawkins has backed the campaign which aimed to have 60 London buses carrying the signs for four weeks.

The original fund-raising target, supported by the Guardian, was 5, 500 pounds which Professor Dawkins agreed to match. The campaign has now raised more than ninety-five thousand pounds on its own, one hundred with Dawkins donation, and the BHA have decided to have adverts inside the buses as well.

The unprecedented support for the campaign means that the adverts will be rolled out on buses, trains and billboards across the country in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. The full advert reads "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

Campaign supporter 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."

The chief executive of the BHA, Hanne Stinson, 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 commented that "Bendy-buses, like atheism, are a danger to the public at large". He also said that the adverts would be likely to attract graffiti, but then again, it is London.

Whatever the intention, the adverts are likely to encourage discussions about god and religiosity. Sprituality and Discipleship officer Rev Jenny Ellis, who is part of the Methodist Church thanked Dawkins for encouraging an interest in God. "Christianity is for people who aren't afraid to think about life and meaning."

The buses may cause controversy in more ethnically diverse areas of the country, as those with religious belief are likely to feel that the adverts are offensive and intolerant. Unreligious people are likely to feel indifferent towards the ads, unless they are snooty guardian readers too!

The adverts will run on buses in Westminster from January 2009, and then across the country.

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