Ten controversial bus advertisements promoting atheism went up last Tuesday around downtown Montreal as part of the Quebec Humanist Association's new campaign against established religion.
The ads, which read, "God probably doesn't exist. So quit worrying and benefit from your life," in French, follow a slew of similar ads put up by atheist and humanist organizations in cities across Europe and North America, including London and Washington, DC.
"This campaign claims to be an affirmation of the presence of [non-believers] in our society and is also a call for discussion and rationality," the QHA's website reads in French.
The movement began in London last June in response to a "Jesus Said" bus ad campaign that displayed a link to a website which said that non-Christians were separated from God and doomed to an eternity in hell. After a public backlash against the ads, and an outpouring of money and support for atheist and humanist counter ads, 800 buses in the Greater London area displayed atheist ads this January, with other cities following shortly thereafter.
"I think what they are trying to do is say that there is something called 'bad religion' and something one might want to call 'grace-filled religion,'" said Patricia Kirkpatrick, professor of religious studies at McGill and minister at St. James the Apostle Church. "I don't suspect that they care to look into the biblical faith, to see there what it has to say, but the Bible would agree with them."
Michel Virard, president of the QHA, did not respond to emails requesting an interview.
As defined by the QHA website, humanism is, among other things, the "unequivocal rejection of all belief in the supernatural and of all dogmatic thought."
But after only a few months, the movement seems to be running out of steam, with cities across Canada-such as Halifax and Ottawa-banning the atheist ad campaigns outright. Italy and Australia have also banned the advertisements. In Canada, city transportation authorities that oppose the ads have claimed that because public transport is the only transportation alternative for most commuters, the city has a responsibility not to publish offensive or controversial messages. Toronto transit authorities have approved the ads, which went up in late February.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Brian37
posted 3/10/09 @ 10:36 AM EST
The atheist voice is not running out of steam. I have been active since 01 and I encourage all atheists to be consistent and long term thinking. We may be a small minority in the Americas, but we are a growing number worldwide and even in the Americas. (Continued…)
james
posted 3/10/09 @ 11:53 AM EST
I hear obese people are a growing number worldwide, and even in the americas. should we be endorsing pro-obesity ads in the subway too?
M
posted 3/10/09 @ 1:11 PM EST
fuck god fuck christ fuck allah fuck all that bullshit - look I am still alive - I guess your invisible sky gods don't exist eh numbnuts
brad
posted 3/11/09 @ 7:13 AM EST
Atheism is a point of view just like religious following is. I propose that if advertising the atheist point of view is disallowed on busses so should a variety of other topics like pro religion, anti abortion, anti smoking etc. (Continued…)
james
posted 3/11/09 @ 8:51 AM EST
@ Verisap:
How about pro-suicide ads? Pro-terrorist bombings? Pro-mass killing? Pro-genocide?
At some point you have to draw the line.
mark
posted 3/12/09 @ 9:28 AM EST
A correct translation would be "God probably doesn't exist. So stop worrying and enjoy life"
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