Comments on: More publicity

By: DerrensStooge

DerrensStooge — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:27:59 +0000

I like this Bus sign:

http://media.richarddawkins.net/images/2009/victor-stenger-bus.jpg

By: Muad'Dib

Muad'Dib — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:45:12 +0000

How I see it, there is -in the bible- a huge difference between ‘God’ from the old testament and ‘God’ from the new (when I was a child, I explained that difference that ‘God’ grew up, to later realize that those two parts were just written by different people in different times)
God from the old testament is indeed the one you are describing “If you don’t believe, you will burn in hell” “you will be punished” and so on. God from the new testament is “whatever you do, I will still love you, even if you don’t believe in me.” (ok very simplistic, but that is kind of the bottomline.)
The sad part is that usually fanatics who even think they are following the new testament (christians) actually don’t do anything that is written in there, and just use their belief as an excuse to condemn and cast out anyone who doesn’t fit their little picture. Strangly even being very big racists (another illogical thing, I tried to explain as a child). Yeah for going to a catholic school.

My mother explained later if I was sick and tired of the hypocrisy (although I still like the ‘message’ Jezus (or better the autor of this Jezus character) tried to put forth) that this was the reason why she put me in a catholic school, so that I certainly would never become catholic:)

But it is true, it is not that something started with a good idea, that that idea is still maintained, and indeed in the constellation that catholic religion has today “thinking for yourself” is not really stimulated.

Then again, I think it is rarely stimulated and people are just used to believe whatever is written down. When I had to teach in small groups at the university, the main task was teaching them how to think for themselves and not just accept that whatever is printed on black and white is true. That they couldn’t just say, it is true because Lacan said so, without even being able to explain why this Lacan guy thought it was so. So I think it is a larger problem, although religious fanatics usually do not help.

By: Claire

Claire — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:47:24 +0000

The thing that bugs me is that religious people teach their children that they’ll burn in hell for not believing etc, thus spawning another generation of people who were brought up not to think critically (not to mention scaring the shit out of them). Atheists tend to teach their children to think for themselves, to look for evidence and question everything.
If a child being brought up religious sees one of these buses, they may realise that the way they’re taught isn’t the ONLY way, and that there are many people out there who don’t believe in god and yet are living happy and fulfilled lives. I grew up not realising that there were such people as atheists, and thought I was the only one who thought it was bollocks!

Over the centuries religion has been protected, which is why it’s still causing so many problems in the world. Kids are taught from birth that the biggest crime is not to believe, thus controlling even their private thoughts. God can read minds!

OK, I’ll stop myself from going off on a rant…

Q – Everyone, in fact… Watch a film called “Jesus Camp”. It’s very enlightening, and one of many reasons atheists feel they just can’t keep quiet about this any more.

By: don K

don K — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:25:52 +0000

Q… When was the last time an atheist refused to do their job because of a silly little thing like an advert. The problem is your missing the point that atheist are questioning a beleif system where as Christians are saying you will burn in hell for all eternity. The argument is not evenly weighted and it’s a little more complex than just “I’m right and your wrong”

By: Flapjack

Flapjack — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:31:58 +0000

Q – The original wording had the word “probably” inserted for just that reason. I think it’s been edited out of this banner…

By: Q

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:42:50 +0000

Question: Would a banner such as this but just as OK if it were the other way round? If the banner said “There is a God. Now start praying you go to heaven when you josh it”, would it be just as cool as this one even though both banners are banging on just as much as each other and stating fact just as much as each other even though neither side has any proof? I do not believe in god in any shape or form but this constant “GOD DOES NOT EXIST” can be just as tiresome and childish as “GOD DOES EXIST”. Die hard atheists and die hard relgious peeps can be just as irritating, pushy and ignorant as each other. If you are an atheist, you think religious ppl are mad. If you are religious, you think non believers are mad. They are the same as each other, just in opposites. So to the people who may wonder “why would a banner like this offend anyone”, think how “ffs tsk” you may feel if you saw a banner saying the opposite. It may not offend, but it mat piss you off in soe shape or form.

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:50:25 +0000

Oops spelling

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:48:38 +0000

When you have a belief system fuelled by strong emotion either party will avidly defend it, be it athiest or otherwise. It’s just another example of ‘Mine is the way’.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:32:40 +0000

Phillis & Claire: I’ll vote for your combined suggestion. Also suggest we charter one of the buses with the Derren pic on and broadcast via loud megaphone an invitation for all atheists to jump on board. Think plenty will come racing out of the woodwork.

By: don K

don K — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:27:07 +0000

Yeah isn’t this a democracy? It’s a veiwpoint like any other. if your religon holds you back and stops you carrying out your daily lifestyle you need to get a firm grip on reality.