Atheist Bus Ads Draw Fire from UK Christians

Complaints say campaign breaks requirements of 'truthfulness and substantiation'

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2009 4:43 PM CST

(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.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

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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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

Derni

Jan 11, 2009 11:24 PM CST

Maybe we should have an atheist as president-maybe s/he will value life more than those that send our men and women to war for nothing-and one must remember, being atheist is now the worst thing in our society-igays were the lowest before but now our culture has accepted them-the new whipping boy on the block-being atheist-now all you good cristians that preach acceptance and diversity can beat up on them-does that sound christian-or are cristians threatened by anything different-religion-what a joy!

Zebraone

Jan 11, 2009 9:05 PM CST

Has anyone seen one!~~~~ I thought not!~~~Those who fear death will do anything to make the 'going' easier!~~~Has anyone 'come back' to tell of the 'heavens"?~~~ I thought not!~~~But "foxhole" religion is available to all!~~~~LOL!

Guest

Jan 10, 2009 4:03 AM CST

Anyone here see the irony?

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Atheist Bus Ads Draw Fire from UK Christians