There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Probably?

Classic atheist, wont take one side or the other.

I'm an atheist when it comes to fairies, gnomes, trolls, unicorns.

But like any intelligent person I can't say for certain they don't exist, which is the logical position to hold.

Plus if you read my earlier post, the 'probably' was for advertising standards in the UK to abide by the advertising standards code.

[Flames_Gimp]

this reminds me, anyone else watch the documentary Religulous?

[You Need a Thneed]

I don't know what the big deal is, and I'm a Christian. There is nothing offensive about the signs at all. People are entitled to their opinions.

Personally, knowing that there is a God is what makes me enjoy life.

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I think it would be way cooler if they just put up ads that are completely blank.

Yeah, a blank ad with a little note at the bottom saying paid for by Atheists...

I bet Fred Henry would either still have a problem, or he would say 'See, Ahteists have nothing to say...'

Damned if you do, damned if you don't... Oh wait I don't believe in that... Phew!!

[Finny61]

Perhaps I'm just not getting out in Calgary enough but I don't recall ever coming across any religious signs and billboards for all to see other then what is a sign on church property. Now I don't ride transit so maybe there are signs. I haven't seen them so I don't know why some of you are whining about not getting love for your belief.

[Thor]

Toronto news on the Ad's: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=aRKf4_0j_Jw

[Bagor]

Would love to see one of those puppys on the side of a Nascar.

[Thor]

Penn from Penn and Teller speaks on the ADs, hints at some 'goofy plan' for Las Vegas by a friend of his.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7YD6bWdzhGk

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Thor

Most of the Atheists I know or have met have religious backgrounds as well. Of course some don't get indoctrinated even if brought up religious, obviously then there would be very few atheists if any.

My statement is that children are in no stage of development to tackle and take on a worldview that will forever affect their adult life. A child can much less differ ghosts, gods, fairies, and their various imaginings.

While you complained and didn't have to go to church anymore, most of my religious friends growing up had to go every sunday no matter what they thought of it.

If it affects their worldview forever then my brother and sister would have been Christians and the same for thier teenagers. The reality is none of them practice Christianity today. Like me, what we learned hasn't affected us in negitive way. Nor has it caused our minds to be closed. In fact my nephew Tyler left yesterday to spend 4 months in India as he want's to learn about the Indian way of life. I appluad my sister for allowing her children the opportunity to go into the world to learn and explore diferent things.

But you went back to your specific religion, Christianity I would assume. You didn't become a muslim, or a hindu. Simply because I would assume you weren't exposed to that or had very much influence other than the specific belief you were taught to believe as a child.

My going back to Christianity had nothing to do about what i was exposed to per say. In fact 5 years ago i invited the Mormons into my home so i could learn about thier faith. Like Christianity i was curious and wanted to learn more. If the JW's weren't so rude and obnoxious i'd ask them in also. I have curious mind and like to learn things.

Just because you weren't threatened or pushed to stay in the church, doesn't mean a lot don't feel that pressure. Its not that bad here in Canada, but it happens and it certainly happens in the US, and most of the religious nations of the world. People are ex-communicated from their families (jehova's/mormons/christian sects), even mainstream moderates suffer a lot of family strife when proclaiming Atheism or even converting to another religion (which happens a lot.)

I never said it hasn't happened. I merely responded to your blanket statement that tries to demonise religion.

So you disagree that children are incapable of understanding the complexity and consequence of religion being taught to them by parents who are repeating the cycle they went through as children?

If a child was raised in a world where he/she had no outside contact of the world i might agree with you (good example would be cults). I questioned a lot of things in my childhood and there was no limit to the amount of people or resources who helped answer my questions. Maybe my level of understanding was not up to your standards. Still it was enough for me to not to want to go back. Maybe i was the exception to the rule - i dunno.

I also disagree with the cycle you talk about. My brother and sister are not Christians and neither are thier teenagers. I never married but if i did and if i had kids i wouldn't be taking them to church. I would want them to go of thier own free will and choice. I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on others. I don't agree with bible thumpers going door to door and those televangelists we see on TV plus the billboards that try to demonise athiests for that matter. Same thing applies to athiests who are trying to get thier message out. Keep it to yourself and we'll get along just fine.

By the way, the darkside comment was a joke.

Yes, i know. You do like to make a lot of jokes about religion. Which is why i try to avoid discussions with you.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

In fact 5 years ago i invited the Mormons into my home so i could learn about thier faith.

how are your new roommates doing?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

In fact 5 years ago i invited the Mormons into my home so i could learn about thier faith.

how are your new roommates doing?

And your point is?

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by Dion

And your point is?

well from the wording of the sentance you could infer that they are still there, also mormons can be a pain in the A$$ when they won't stop talking at your door.

[arloiginla]

I'm not offended at the signs at all as a Christian, but I can't help but wonder why atheists would need to try so hard to convince others to agree with their belief that there is no God? If there is no God and everyone creates their own reason and purpose for life, and we can all do whatever we want, and won't answer to any higher supernatural power, and are all going to the same place (nowhere) when we die, then what does it matter if someone else agrees with you?

It seems like a double standard to say when Christians are out witnessing and sharing their beliefs with others and trying to convert them. But if there is a God, and the possibility of hell is a real one, then obviously its easy to justify trying to convert otheres - you don't want to see them suffer eternal damnation.

But if there is no God, then what does it matter what others think? We don't push our opinions on our favourite ice cream. In an atheistic world then, the topic of religion has - or at least should have - exactly the same relevance.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

I'm not offended at the signs at all as a Christian, but I can't help but wonder why atheists would need to try so hard to convince others to agree with their belief that there is no God? If there is no God and everyone creates their own reason and purpose for life, and we can all do whatever we want, and won't answer to any higher supernatural power, and are all going to the same place (nowhere) when we die, then what does it matter if someone else agrees with you?

It seems like a double standard to say when Christians are out witnessing and sharing their beliefs with others and trying to convert them. But if there is a God, and the possibility of hell is a real one, then obviously its easy to justify trying to convert otheres - you don't want to see them suffer eternal damnation.

But if there is no God, then what does it matter what others think? We don't push our opinions on our favourite ice cream. In an atheistic world then, the topic of religion has - or at least should have - exactly the same relevance.

What part of the sign "suggests" that atheists are trying hard to convince others of our belief?
"Theres probably no God, now stop worrying and get on with your life"

Seriously? Did we suggest anywhere that if Christians didnt buy into our dogma they'd have to spend an eternity with Celine Dion?
I dont buy the double standard rubbish.

Yet we get comments like this...

A Christian group in the UK, Christian Voice, has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about the atheist signs on buses in London that say "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

The grounds? the signs break the ASA's rules on substantiation and truthfulness!

I have to stop rolling on the floor laughing after I read comments like that. Hypocrisy at its highest level.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

this reminds me, anyone else watch the documentary Religulous?

Yeah, I found it funny and interesting, but not much beyond that. Preaching to the choir I guess.

Originally Posted by Finny61

Perhaps I'm just not getting out in Calgary enough but I don't recall ever coming across any religious signs and billboards for all to see other then what is a sign on church property. Now I don't ride transit so maybe there are signs. I haven't seen them so I don't know why some of you are whining about not getting love for your belief.

I've seen a few, but not very many that's for sure. I saw a few more in BC when I was there on vacation a few years ago in the Kelowna area. But nothing like you see in some areas in the US that's for sure.

I think there used to be one on 17th ave SW that I saw all the time, not sure if they still advertise there.

Originally Posted by arloiginla

I'm not offended at the signs at all as a Christian, but I can't help but wonder why atheists would need to try so hard to convince others to agree with their belief that there is no God? If there is no God and everyone creates their own reason and purpose for life, and we can all do whatever we want, and won't answer to any higher supernatural power, and are all going to the same place (nowhere) when we die, then what does it matter if someone else agrees with you?

I think that's been covered quite a bit in the thread already. Sharing how you think is a basic human need. Some feel that religion has a negative effect on society and therefore deconverting people would be a good thing for them. I think that bigotry against atheists gets a free pass, and this kind of advertising raises awareness that atheists are just like everyone else. So there's lots of different reasons.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

I'm not offended at the signs at all as a Christian, but I can't help but wonder why atheists would need to try so hard to convince others to agree with their belief that there is no God?

What do you mean, try so hard? This is a pretty skimpy effort.

We've got more churches than convenience stores in this town. I'd say god's team is playing with a lot more enthusiasm.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Dion

If it affects their worldview forever then my brother and sister would have been Christians and the same for thier teenagers. The reality is none of them practice Christianity today. Like me, what we learned hasn't affected us in negitive way. Nor has it caused our minds to be closed. In fact my nephew Tyler left yesterday to spend 4 months in India as he want's to learn about the Indian way of life. I appluad my sister for allowing her children the opportunity to go into the world to learn and explore diferent things.



My going back to Christianity had nothing to do about what i was exposed to per say. In fact 5 years ago i invited the Mormons into my home so i could learn about thier faith. Like Christianity i was curious and wanted to learn more. If the JW's weren't so rude and obnoxious i'd ask them in also. I have curious mind and like to learn things.



I never said it hasn't happened. I merely responded to your blanket statement that tries to demonise religion.



If a child was raised in a world where he/she had no outside contact of the world i might agree with you (good example would be cults). I questioned a lot of things in my childhood and there was no limit to the amount of people or resources who helped answer my questions. Maybe my level of understanding was not up to your standards. Still it was enough for me to not to want to go back. Maybe i was the exception to the rule - i dunno.

I also disagree with the cycle you talk about. My brother and sister are not Christians and neither are thier teenagers. I never married but if i did and if i had kids i wouldn't be taking them to church. I would want them to go of thier own free will and choice. I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on others. I don't agree with bible thumpers going door to door and those televangelists we see on TV plus the billboards that try to demonise athiests for that matter. Same thing applies to athiests who are trying to get thier message out. Keep it to yourself and we'll get along just fine.



Yes, i know. You do like to make a lot of jokes about religion. Which is why i try to avoid discussions with you.

Dion...atheists dont hate all theists. Heck we might actually love some of them. Ive said it before...one of my BEST friends is a Pastor, devout in Christianity. Ive had fantastic discussions with him on just about every topic under the sun, including religion(s).
You are lucky in that your parents obviously didnt push things on you, and also that you were strong enough in mind to ensure you didnt capitulate to the whims of the church. Many are not like you or your siblings. That is generally where I take my fight.

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

It seems like a double standard to say when Christians are out witnessing and sharing their beliefs with others and trying to convert them. But if there is a God, and the possibility of hell is a real one, then obviously its easy to justify trying to convert otheres - you don't want to see them suffer eternal damnation.

But if there is no God, then what does it matter what others think? We don't push our opinions on our favourite ice cream. In an atheistic world then, the topic of religion has - or at least should have - exactly the same relevance.

This is a very good point.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

well from the wording of the sentance you could infer that they are still there, also mormons can be a pain in the A$$ when they won't stop talking at your door.

Ahhhhhh ok. I see you're point. Myself i've never found them to be a pain the arse. I say i'm not interested and they kindly leave. They are always polite in the way they approach and they don't try to shove anything down your throat. The have my respect for that and if i have the time i sometimes engage in small conversation.

As for the JW's.......that another story for another day.

[Dion]

I heard on the radio that members of Calgary's transit union are objecting to the signs being on buses. Sounds like some drivers don't want to be driving buses that have these ads.