'Why Believe in a God?' Ad Campaign Launches on D.C. Buses

[-Cp]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — You better watch out. There is a new combatant in the Christmas wars.

Ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist Association unveiled the provocative $40,000 holiday ad campaign Tuesday.

In lifting lyrics from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," the Washington-based group is wading into what has become a perennial debate over commercialism, religion in the public square and the meaning of Christmas.

"We are trying to reach our audience, and sometimes in order to reach an audience, everybody has to hear you," said Fred Edwords, spokesman for the humanist group. "Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there are an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion."

To that end, the ads and posters will include a link to a Web site that will seek to connect and organize like-minded thinkers in the D.C. area, Edwords said.

Edwords said the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."

The group defines humanism as "a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity."

Last month, the British Humanist Association caused a ruckus announcing a similar campaign on London buses with the message: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

In Washington, the humanists' campaign comes as conservative Christian groups gear up their efforts to keep Christ in Christmas. In the past five years, groups such as the American Family Association and the Catholic League have criticized or threatened boycotts of retailers who use generic "holiday" greetings.

In mid-October, the American Family Association started selling buttons that say "It's OK to say Merry Christmas." The humanists' entry into the marketplace of ideas did not impress AFA president Tim Wildmon.

"It's a stupid ad," he said. "How do we define 'good' if we don't believe in God? God in his word, the Bible, tells us what's good and bad and right and wrong. If we are each ourselves defining what's good, it's going to be a crazy world."

Rest at link
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,450445,00.html

[Noir]

we've had these for a while, there was a big fuss made when they were introduced but it's all faded away now

[Psychoblues]

It's amazing what $40,000 will pay for?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

Psychoblues

[red states rule]

How about ads asking "Why Believe in Allah? Be Good For Ramadan"

[Psychoblues]

How about saying "Just Be Good For Goodness Sakes"?



How about ads asking "Why Believe in Allah? Be Good For Ramadan"

Works for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psychoblues

[Immanuel]

I like PB's reply... "Just be good for goodness sake!"

But, in this season of joy and rememberance following a season of hatred and disdain, I think the message may actually do some good by focusing the minds of some upon the creator rather than the created.

Immie

[red states rule]

Lets see, you can advertise on a government bus against God, but you could not buy advertisment on the same bus in defense of God because of "seperation of church and state"?

[Psychoblues]

Did you read this part of the article, rsr?

[quote]Edwords said the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."[quote]

Probably not.

Psychoblues

[red states rule]

Did you read this part of the article, rsr?

[quote]Edwords said the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."[quote]

Probably not.

Psychoblues

The fact that the city government is allowing an ad on its buses that essentially say that a person does not need God. This is a blatant anti-religious ad that should not be allowed on the bus anymore than a manger scene cannot be allowed in City Hall.

Liberals are always telling us how the government should remain neutral to religion - yet they have no problem with this issue

And I know damn well if I wanted to buy an ad asking "Why Believe in Allah" I would be turned down

[Immanuel]

Did you read this part of the article, rsr?

Edwords said the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."


Probably not.

Psychoblues

RSR makes a good point.

Turn that around and have this come from Catholic Charities with the person claiming that they are not trying to convince the world to believe in God, but rather to give to the needy and this ad would have been banned.

Immie

[Psychoblues]

I certainly don't want to argue semantics or legal issues, immie, but I think this issue has been cleared by the DC lawyers and if not it will soon be or the signage will come down.


Edwords said the purpose isn't to argue that God doesn't exist or change minds about a deity, although "we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds."

RSR makes a good point.

Turn that around and have this come from Catholic Charities with the person claiming that they are not trying to convince the world to believe in God, but rather to give to the needy and this ad would have been banned.

Immie

The freedom of religion delegates freedom from religion. Both are legal concepts as I understand recent religious legislation. I hope I'm saying that correctly?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!???!

Psychoblues

[avatar4321]

why on earth would athiests spend their money on something like this. It doesnt make rational sense. If they are doing something this irrational, why would we listen to them about whats rational or not?

[red states rule]

why on earth would athiests spend their money on something like this. It doesnt make rational sense. If they are doing something this irrational, why would we listen to them about whats rational or not?

As he head toward the Christmas season - it is time for the lefts annual war on Christmas to begin

It has started early this year

http://img.mediaspanonline.com/5159/3230525.jpg

[Psychoblues]

You might be surprised what atheists do with their time and money, a'21.



why on earth would athiests spend their money on something like this. It doesnt make rational sense. If they are doing something this irrational, why would we listen to them about whats rational or not?

Or, maybe your irrational mind is missing the point of the "Just Be Good For Goddness Sakes" aspect of the project?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

Psychoblues

[red states rule]

You might be surprised what atheists do with their time and money, a'21.




Or, maybe your irrational mind is missing the point of the "Just Be Good For Goddness Sakes" aspect of the project?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

Psychoblues

What is being good? Joe Biden thinks is is patriotic to pay more in taxes - I do not. Am I a bad person?

This is nothing more then another attack on faith?

Again, would you be so passive if the ad was asking "Why Believe in Allah?"

[darin]

doesn't bother me. If they paid for the ads, (shrug) it's free speech. :) That sorta thing.

[red states rule]

doesn't bother me. If they paid for the ads, (shrug) it's free speech. :) That sorta thing.

Of course people could respond to the ad. Folks can take a sharpie and write on the ad "Because I am not an idiot"

[Psychoblues]

I think that I have made it very clear that I believe religion/God/Allah/rsr etc. should be left out of the ads completely. On the other hand, I'm not spending the $40,000 to run them.


What is being good? Joe Biden thinks is is patriotic to pay more in taxes - I do not. Am I a bad person?

This is nothing more then another attack on faith?

Again, would you be so passive if the ad was asking "Why Believe in Allah?"

I feel certain that you would be welcomed by the transit authority to run ads on their busses if you got the jack on your hip to back up your squeeling little mouth.

Psychoblues

[Abbey Marie]

http://img.mediaspanonline.com/5159/3230525.jpg

Not to worry, the ad is irrelevant. We Christians don't believe in "a god". We belive in "the God". :)

[red states rule]

http://img.mediaspanonline.com/5159/3230525.jpg

Not to worry, the ad is irrelevant. We Christians don't believe in "a god" anyway. We belive in "the God". :)

and it is not Obama :lol:

[Yurt]

i do not see why the ranting, irrational left is so intent on wiping out god or christianity from the holiday. the holiday is celebrated by most christians as a rememberence of christ's birth. the holiday is also celebrated by plenty of non-christians who take the day off (hey you don't like the holiday, you don't have to observe it), spend time with family, exchange gifts etc...at this point in time the holiday has become a traditional american holiday, i really don't see the need to attack those who want to use the holiday to remember christ's birth.

it is not called seasonday, santaday...it is called christmas

[red states rule]

i do not see why the ranting, irrational left is so intent on wiping out god or christianity from the holiday. the holiday is celebrated by most christians as a rememberence of christ's birth. the holiday is also celebrated by plenty of non-christians who take the day off (hey you don't like the holiday, you don't have to observe it), spend time with family, exchange gifts etc...at this point in time the holiday has become a traditional american holiday, i really don't see the need to attack those who want to use the holiday to remember christ's birth.

it is not called seasonday, santaday...it is called christmas

Because there is a small group of liberals who go through life looking for things to be offended by - then they demand the offending items be removed from the public view

It is not only Christmas, now Easter is coming under attack. The Easter bunny is now offensive to some liberals

[Immanuel]

The freedom of religion delegates freedom from religion. Both are legal concepts as I understand recent religious legislation. I hope I'm saying that correctly?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!???!

Psychoblues

Not sure what you are saying here, PB.

How I see this issue at hand is that one could interpret that the city is promoting a faith, that being the faith that there is no God, over faith in God. Personally, I would not and do not take issue with the ad. I do not believe the State should have to be totally silent on matters of faith. I do believe the State should treat all citizens and their beliefs fairly.

Under no circumstances should the State dictate to the Church or vice versa, but even that has its exceptions. We would not want to allow a "church" the ability to offer sacrifices (human or otherwise) to their god.

Immie

[Noir]

just on this note, as I was dandering home I saw a bus with 'is this it?' writtten on it with an invite to a local church for talks on God, so it seems to swing both ways here.

[Immanuel]

just on this note, as I was dandering home I saw a bus with 'is this it?' with an invite to a local church for talks on God, so it seems to swing both ways here.

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you in the UK?

The laws are different between the US and the UK.

Immie

[Noir]

indeed I am immie, ergo my 'we seem to swing both ways here' comment

[hjmick]

doesn't bother me. If they paid for the ads, (shrug) it's free speech. :) That sorta thing.

Pretty much.

It's not as if a believer will see these ads and suddenly have an epiphany. "Oh my! They're right! Now I'm an atheist!" And if they did, their faith wasn't all that strong to begin with.


Of course people could respond to the ad. Folks can take a sharpie and write on the ad "Because I am not an idiot"

I am an Agnostic, it wouldn't take much to send me all the way to Atheist. I do not believe in GOD. I am not an idiot. Whether or not one believes is not indicative of idiocy. It is what one does with their belief and how one relates to others and their varying beliefs that makes the difference.

[red states rule]

Pretty much.

It's not as if a believer will see these ads and suddenly have an epiphany. "Oh my! They're right! Now I'm an atheist!" And if they did, their faith wasn't all that strong to begin with.



I am an Agnostic, it wouldn't take much to send me all the way to Atheist. I do not believe in GOD. I am not an idiot. Whether or not one believes is not indicative of idiocy. It is what one does with their belief and how one relates to others and their varying beliefs that makes the difference.

No offense intended to you - only to the idiots who posted the ads

I on the other hand do not believe in Atheism

[hjmick]

No offense intended to you - only to the idiots who posted the ads

I on the other hand do not believe in Atheism

I took no offense, and did not think that was your intention, no worries there. I was just saying. Personally, I respect people who believe, whatever or whoever they follow.

As for Atheism, it has, at times, struck me as a tad extreme. This is probably why I remain Agnostic. Hedging my bets, if you will. ;)

I was raised Catholic and believe that much of what I learned contributes to how I treat people and behave to this day. I believe that this was a very good foundation for establishing my moral compass and setting some of the principles I would hold later in life.

[Immanuel]

indeed I am immie, ergo my 'we seem to swing both ways here' comment

I took the "here" to be one of those here in this situation kind of things rather than locations. Sorry, for misunderstanding what you meant.

Immie

[red states rule]

I took no offense, and did not think that was your intention, no worries there. I was just saying. Personally, I respect people who believe, whatever or whoever they follow.

As for Atheism, it has, at times, struck me as a tad extreme. This is probably why I remain Agnostic. Hedging my bets, if you will. ;)

I was raised Catholic and believe that much of what I learned contributes to how I treat people and behave to this day. I believe that this was a very good foundation for establishing my moral compass and setting some of the principles I would hold later in life.

No offense was intended hjmick. I respest your decision to believe in what you decided to believe in

However, the left wants to impose their non beliefs on the rest of us. Because they decided not to believe in God, they expect the rest of us to keep our faith to ourselfs. If we don't they become "offended"

[hjmick]

However, the left wants to impose their non beliefs on the rest of us. Because they decided not to believe in God, they expect the rest of us to keep our faith to ourselfs. If we don't they become "offended"

This is where I draw the line, no matter which side of the fence a person sits. Respect a persons beliefs, no matter what they may be and no matter what yours may be. Do not try to impose those views on others. This can be applied to politics as much as religion. In a country, even a world, as diverse as ours, it is not possible that everyone will agree on everything.

[red states rule]

This is where I draw the line, no matter which side of the fence a person sits. Respect a persons beliefs, no matter what they may be and no matter what yours may be. Do not try to impose those views on others. This can be applied to politics as much as religion. In a country, even a world, as diverse as ours, it is no possible that everyone will agree on everything.

:clap::clap:

Could not agree with you more

[Psychoblues]

I think what the ad is attempting to do, Immie, I think it was abby that provided a thumbnail photo of it, was to remove religion for an otherwise pagan holiday and promote the simple concept as it states "Just Be Good For Goodness Sakes".


Not sure what you are saying here, PB.

How I see this issue at hand is that one could interpret that the city is promoting a faith, that being the faith that there is no God, over faith in God. Personally, I would not and do not take issue with the ad. I do not believe the State should have to be totally silent on matters of faith. I do believe the State should treat all citizens and their beliefs fairly.

Under no circumstances should the State dictate to the Church or vice versa, but even that has its exceptions. We would not want to allow a "church" the ability to offer sacrifices (human or otherwise) to their god.

Immie

There are millions people in this nation and around the world that celebrate what we call Christmas and have no religious attachment to the holiday at all. I know several self avowed atheists and they always do the Christmas thing by sharing gifts, inviting others over for drinks and dinner, are a bit more conscience of the poor and undertrodden and generally celebrate the holiday in a more "Good Will Towards Men" point of view and attitude.

Another poster here says that liberals are godless, don't understand and otherwise embrace terrorism, are idiots, invite failure on the part of gwb, etc., etc., but that's a bunch of simple minded bullshit. I know a lot of liberals and I don't know a single one, including me, that fits that description.

Nothing wrong with that is it, Immie?

Psychoblues

[-Cp]

why on earth would athiests spend their money on something like this. It doesnt make rational sense. If they are doing something this irrational, why would we listen to them about whats rational or not?

To me, it makes no more sense to do this than it does for churches to waste money on advertising on billboards and buses and other forms of advertising...

[Immanuel]

I think what the ad is attempting to do, Immie, I think it was abby that provided a thumbnail photo of it, was to remove religion for an otherwise pagan holiday and promote the simple concept as it states "Just Be Good For Goodness Sakes".



There are millions people in this nation and around the world that celebrate what we call Christmas and have no religious attachment to the holiday at all. I know several self avowed atheists and they always do the Christmas thing by sharing gifts, inviting others over for drinks and dinner, are a bit more conscience of the poor and undertrodden and generally celebrate the holiday in a more "Good Will Towards Men" point of view and attitude.

Another poster here says that liberals are godless, don't understand and otherwise embrace terrorism, are idiots, invite failure on the part of gwb, etc., etc., but that's a bunch of simple minded bullshit. I know a lot of liberals and I don't know a single one, including me, that fits that description.

Nothing wrong with that is it, Immie?

Psychoblues

PB,

Christmas is and always has been a religious holiday for much longer than the U.S. has been a country. Now, I realize that some will say that Christians adopted the date because of another pagan holiday, but here in the States and in modern times, Christmas IS a religious holiday. The fact that merchants have profited from the holiday has little to do with anything at all.

As for millions of people celebrating Christmas who are not Religious, there are most likely 4 times as many if not more who do celebrate it because they are religious. Last figures I heard was that more than 80% of Americans claim to be Christian. If 20%, and considering the Jewish and Muslim population we know that 20% is high, are not religious yet still celebrate Christmas, 20 X 4 is 80. You want to take the Religious holiday away from the majority and give it to a few?

That other poster and I do not share the same point of view on that issue and I believe I have made that point clear throughout my postings on this site.

But, yes, there is something wrong with non-religious people trying to snuff out the faith held by many millions of Americans. IMHO.

Immie

[Hull]

How about ads asking "Why Believe in Allah? Be Good For Ramadan"

Never happen. People are scared of muslims. Christians are taught to just turn the other cheek. Muslims will put out a hit on you or cut your head off.

[red states rule]

Never happen. People are scared of muslims. Christians are taught to just turn the other cheek. Muslims will put out a hit on you or cut your head off.

It is not PC to question Muslims

It is PC to bash Christians

[Noir]

It is not PC to question Muslims

It is PC to bash Christians

As far as I can tell the ad said why believe in 'a god', ergo not specific to any religious group,

[red states rule]

As far as I can tell the ad said why believe in 'a god', ergo not specific to any religious group,

That attitude is why the UK is having so much trouble with the Muslims

[Monkeybone]

As far as I can tell the ad said why believe in 'a god', ergo not specific to any religious group,

i think one of the things is the timing. it usually just seems to happen around Christmas

i did crack up though when a guy on the news said that they were cowards and that if they had any bravery they should put one out on a Muslim holiday :laugh2:

[Monkeybone]

That attitude is why the UK is having so much trouble with the Muslims

i thought it was because they breed like rabits.....

[Noir]

That attitude is why the UK is having so much trouble with the Muslims

You mean the attitude that says that 'a god' and 'the christain god' mean different things?

And I know not of what problems you are talkin about, I haven't sen any problems caused by Muslims in a very long time

[red states rule]

You mean the attitude that says that 'a god' and 'the christain god' mean different things?

And I know not of what problems you are talkin about, I haven't sen any problems caused by Muslims in a very long time

Did you sleep thru the bombings and unrest?

[Noir]

Did you sleep thru the bombings and unrest?

Yeah, we had a set of bombings on 7/7, then some amatures trying to follow up with some failed attempts on 21/7, and some angery protests when a Dutch guy drew some cArtoons, all of which happened a few years ago.....ah! We're in a crisis, if only we didn't think of 'a god' not being 'the christain god' none of this would have happened, right?


And you keep ignoring my point that it was not aimed at any specific religion.

[No1tovote4]

'Why Believe in a God?'

Because we need Obama to run the nation now, and He sent his Son to earth for us to use...

/channeling of Obama's unofficial bathtub taster.

[No1tovote4]

Does nobody else find this Evangelical Atheism just a bit creepy?

[Abbey Marie]

Does nobody else find this Evangelical Atheism just a bit creepy?

Creepy, and puzzling. Poople usually don't care enough to tell others to not believe in something.