Comments on: The wheels on the atheist bus go round and round

By: Provocative church billboard brings new meaning to omnipotency :: StopPress :: Breaking news from New Zealand Marketing magazine

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:16:45 +0000

[...] the atheists can do, the ecclesiastics can do better. Auckland’s St Matthew in the City, a church that has made [...]

By: bob

bob — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:21:19 +0000

Hey all you religious types I've got some Magic 8 Balls if you need some help in making your own decisions… BTW with so many different Gods around how do you know you've picked the right one? (and no, God chose me, is not a legitimate answer). Oh, and nice remarks Godfrey!

By: Weirdo

Weirdo — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:39:16 +0000

It's "probably" as there is no scientific proof there is no god(s)….how could you prove something existential not existing?…it just very very very very unlikely.

By: Louise

Louise — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:21:32 +0000

Interesting twists and turns Ant. This is an advertising campaign. What is Simon really selling?

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:41:02 +0000

There's a fantastic book to accompany Dawkin's book. It's called The Dawkins Letters.

A great read.

By: Ant

Ant — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:32:05 +0000

I thought this comment was odd:

Campaign spokesman Simon Fisher says they will provoke discussion on religion and take away the stigma of atheism.

Stigma? Really? Feels like these days the stigma is in believing.

By: Su Yin Khoo

Su Yin Khoo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:18:53 +0000

Re: manhole covers

Ben, The Straight Dope has got you covered: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/220/why-are-manhole-covers-round

By: Duncan

Duncan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:04:33 +0000

Bill – the choice of the word probably was quite deliberate. There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of God. It is impossible to prove that God doesn't exist, just as it is impossible to prove that anything doesn't exist.

Richard Dawkins summarises it quite nicely in The God Delusion, saying “there’s no God” is taking a “faith” position. He writes: “Atheists do not have faith; and reason alone could not propel one to total conviction that anything definitely does not exist”. His choice of words in the book is “almost certainly”; but while this is closer to what most atheists believe, “probably” is shorter and sweeter, and in some ways a bit disarming.

At the end of the day we are not out to offend anyone. It is about provoking thought, conversation and debate.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:33:38 +0000

Agreed sparkles. My comment referred not to those of us who are prepared to live and let live. But to those compelled to kick up a stink in the name of belief or anti-belief systems, thus making hypocrites of themselves in the process.

I probably could have worded it a little better.

The thing is with most other religious / spiritual advertising though, is that it doesn't put down other religions, it only invites people to church, or church event etc. This atheist advertising campaign is a blatant dig at religion.

By: Godfrey

Godfrey — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:32:47 +0000

Love it, and I'm with Bob – There's NO God (rather than probably).

How about buses with: "The Church is the misogynist's playroom" or "The Church is taking your money for real estate" or "Non-believers don't think gays/transgendered people will burn in hell."