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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Atheist Bus Ads Draw Fire from UK Christians

Complaints say campaign breaks requirements of 'truthfulness and substantiation'

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(Newser) – A series of pro-atheism ads on London buses have prompted nearly 150 complaints to Britain’s advertising regulator, the Guardian reports. The complaints largely claim that the ads, which declare, “There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,” are offensive to monotheists and break the advertising code requirements of substantiation and truthfulness.

“It is given as a statement of fact and that means it must be capable of substantiation if it is not to break the rules,” says an executive of the UK’s Christian Voice. The advertising agency has yet to decide whether it will formally investigate—probably because it seeks to avoid opening the theological can of worms involving in trying to rule on the “truthfulness” of the claim.

Professor Richard Dawkins, the author of non-fiction book
Professor Richard Dawkins, the author of non-fiction book "The God Delusion," poses for photographers on a London bus featuring the atheist advertisement, Jan. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Professor Richard Dawkins, the author of non-fiction book
Professor Richard Dawkins, the author of non-fiction book "The God Delusion," poses for photographers on a London bus featuring the atheist advertisement, Jan. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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I pity the ASA if they are going to be expected to rule on the probability of god's existence.
- Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association

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7 comments
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Newser001
Jan 9, 09 5:02 PM CST
Everyone is entitled to practice their own faith... Atheism, as an explicit position, can be either the affirmation of the nonexistence of gods, or the rejection of theism. It is also defined more broadly as an absence of belief in deities, or nontheism. Note the word 'probably,' used in the advert... not absolute. Now, compare it to the following advert: 'Gordon's Gin - England's Finest.' No different, with the exception - Who says 'Gordon's is England's Finest' - Gordon's, of course. Is it fact? Doubtful, especially when one takes into account, it's distilled around the world. Its a moot issue... get over it. You may or may not believe in God. Its theology, theism, etc., not science - It can't be proven, no matter how you argue it, nor believe so... Reply
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kokuaguy
Jan 9, 09 5:07 PM CST
Didn't Woody Allen say it best? It's impossible to prove the non-existence of God. You've got to take it on faith. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Newser001
Jan 9, 09 5:41 PM CST
¡Exactamente!
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Michael_CT
Jan 10, 09 1:09 AM CST
Haha! God Bless Woody Allen! It's about bloody time that the Atheists got a voice. Reply
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charliedoodle
Jan 10, 09 4:03 PM CST
Anyone here see the irony? Reply
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