Comments on: The Atheist Bus campaign http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:38:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Steve http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-69479 Steve Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:51:38 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-69479 "Also, I don’t understand how people can look at the universe, for example the fact the earth is at the exact distance from the sun and at the exact angle needed to produce life on earth, and honestly think this all happened by chance." Thats because you are thinking of it the wrong way round. It is BECAUSE the Earth is this exact distance and angle from the sun, that out of all the thousands of planets that we know about, probably only this one has any form of evolved micro organisms (us). “Also, I don’t understand how people can look at the universe, for example the fact the earth is at the exact distance from the sun and at the exact angle needed to produce life on earth, and honestly think this all happened by chance.”

Thats because you are thinking of it the wrong way round. It is BECAUSE the Earth is this exact distance and angle from the sun, that out of all the thousands of planets that we know about, probably only this one has any form of evolved micro organisms (us).

]]> By: Julian H http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67394 Julian H Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:16:10 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67394 "I really can't see any other explanation" And I can't see any explanation for why I, you, we, or anything exists - but that's no reason to make one up when there's no solid evidence to support it. “I really can’t see any other explanation”

And I can’t see any explanation for why I, you, we, or anything exists – but that’s no reason to make one up when there’s no solid evidence to support it.

]]> By: James Graham http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67392 James Graham Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:20:19 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67392 <em>I do not believe that “there is an invisible bearded man sitting on a cloud” looking down on my every action.</em> Damned atheist. I do not believe that “there is an invisible bearded man sitting on a cloud” looking down on my every action.

Damned atheist.

]]> By: Steph http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67391 Steph Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:10:20 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67391 Lee Clark, Thankyou for the link. I have read it and the writer makes some very good points but I believe christianity is more than just a book. Even if the whole thing was made up, which I still don't believe is the case, when you are a christian there is so much more. As I already mentioned on http://www.libdemvoice.org/atheist-bus-campaign-quick-update-5002.html#comment-66884, several years ago my mum was given prayer and has medical proof that her incurable epilepsy has gone. I know that sounds crazy but I really can't see any other explanation. Also, I don't understand how people can look at the universe, for example the fact the earth is at the exact distance from the sun and at the exact angle needed to produce life on earth, and honestly think this all happened by chance. I don't believe that faith and science have to be looked at separately and I strongly recommend the video of Rob Bell's Everything Is Spiritual conference to anyone who is interested in the clash between faith and science. Grammar Police, I am personally against abortion but that view isn't purely because of my faith. I find homosexuality a very complicated and difficult issue. I do have some close friends who are homosexual and I find it hard that if they were interested in finding out more about chrisitanity they might come across objection from christians who believe strongly that it is wrong. I do believe though that Jesus came for everybody and, if the bible isn't made up, Jesus was recorded as spending time with anybody, from prostitutes to lepers so I don't see why homosexual people should be such a big issue! Please remember though that these are just my personal views - I am not a complete authority on christianity! James Graham, I do not believe that "there is an invisible bearded man sitting on a cloud" looking down on my every action. Lee Clark,
Thankyou for the link. I have read it and the writer makes some very good points but I believe christianity is more than just a book. Even if the whole thing was made up, which I still don’t believe is the case, when you are a christian there is so much more. As I already mentioned on http://www.libdemvoice.org/atheist-bus-campaign-quick-update-5002.html#comment-66884, several years ago my mum was given prayer and has medical proof that her incurable epilepsy has gone. I know that sounds crazy but I really can’t see any other explanation. Also, I don’t understand how people can look at the universe, for example the fact the earth is at the exact distance from the sun and at the exact angle needed to produce life on earth, and honestly think this all happened by chance. I don’t believe that faith and science have to be looked at separately and I strongly recommend the video of Rob Bell’s Everything Is Spiritual conference to anyone who is interested in the clash between faith and science.

Grammar Police,
I am personally against abortion but that view isn’t purely because of my faith. I find homosexuality a very complicated and difficult issue. I do have some close friends who are homosexual and I find it hard that if they were interested in finding out more about chrisitanity they might come across objection from christians who believe strongly that it is wrong. I do believe though that Jesus came for everybody and, if the bible isn’t made up, Jesus was recorded as spending time with anybody, from prostitutes to lepers so I don’t see why homosexual people should be such a big issue! Please remember though that these are just my personal views – I am not a complete authority on christianity!

James Graham,
I do not believe that “there is an invisible bearded man sitting on a cloud” looking down on my every action.

]]> By: simon wilson http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67294 simon wilson Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:17:11 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67294 "Dawkins donation: £5,500 Total fundraising target: £11,000 Total amount raised on JustGiving (at time of writing): £117,000" Fair point James! “Dawkins donation: £5,500
Total fundraising target: £11,000
Total amount raised on JustGiving (at time of writing): £117,000″

Fair point James!

]]> By: James Graham http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67290 James Graham Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:38:27 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67290 "It has only now been rescued by the millionaire Richard Dawkins who has offered to match donations up to a maximum of £5,500." Dawkins donation: £5,500 Total fundraising target: £11,000 Total amount raised on JustGiving (at time of writing): £117,000 I understand that Christians can justify to themselves that there is an invisible bearded man sitting on a cloud looking down on their every action, but claiming that Dawkins somehow bailed out the campaign is a stretch even by that standard! “It has only now been rescued by the millionaire Richard Dawkins who has offered to match donations up to a maximum of £5,500.”

Dawkins donation: £5,500
Total fundraising target: £11,000
Total amount raised on JustGiving (at time of writing): £117,000

I understand that Christians can justify to themselves that there is an invisible bearded man sitting on a cloud looking down on their every action, but claiming that Dawkins somehow bailed out the campaign is a stretch even by that standard!

]]> By: Grammar Police http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67285 Grammar Police Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:31:50 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67285 Steph, what are your views on abortion and homosexuality? Certain religious teaching says that both are morally wrong, and that the penalty is Hell. These are real things that *some* Christians will worry about. Steph, what are your views on abortion and homosexuality? Certain religious teaching says that both are morally wrong, and that the penalty is Hell. These are real things that *some* Christians will worry about.

]]> By: Grammar Police http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67283 Grammar Police Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:28:46 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67283 Simon Wilson: "telling people to ‘Stop worrying’ is hardly going to comfort for those who are concerned about losing jobs or homes in the recession" Neither is telling to believe in God. If this is really that great an advert for Christianity I look forward to certain groups putting all their advertising budgets into this, rather than token press-release stunt amounts. Simon Wilson: “telling people to ‘Stop worrying’ is hardly going to comfort for those who are concerned about losing jobs or homes in the recession”

Neither is telling to believe in God. If this is really that great an advert for Christianity I look forward to certain groups putting all their advertising budgets into this, rather than token press-release stunt amounts.

]]> By: simon wilson http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67278 simon wilson Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:10:44 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67278 Theos has, today, donated £50 to the atheist bus campaign that the Guardian newspaper has been publicising throughout 2008. Despite being launched nearly six months ago, the campaign to put a pro-atheism advert on London bendy busses has nearly folded on a number of occasions through lack of interest. It has only now been rescued by the millionaire Richard Dawkins who has offered to match donations up to a maximum of £5,500. The campaign is clearly intended to be anti-religious, but its message ('There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life') will, claims Theos, encourage people to think, like the Alpha posters it seeks to attack. Paul Woolley, Director of Theos, said: "We've donated the money because we think the campaign is a brilliant way to get people thinking about God. "The poster is very weak - where does 'probably' come from? Richard Dawkins doesn't 'probably' believe there is no God! - and telling people to 'Stop worrying' is hardly going to comfort for those who are concerned about losing jobs or homes in the recession, but the posters will still prompt people to think about life's big questions. "Campaigns like this demonstrate how active atheists are often great adverts for Christianity." Theos has, today, donated £50 to the atheist bus campaign that the Guardian newspaper has been publicising throughout 2008.

Despite being launched nearly six months ago, the campaign to put a pro-atheism advert on London bendy busses has nearly folded on a number of occasions through lack of interest. It has only now been rescued by the millionaire Richard Dawkins who has offered to match donations up to a maximum of £5,500.

The campaign is clearly intended to be anti-religious, but its message (‘There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life’) will, claims Theos, encourage people to think, like the Alpha posters it seeks to attack.

Paul Woolley, Director of Theos, said:

“We’ve donated the money because we think the campaign is a brilliant way to get people thinking about God.

“The poster is very weak – where does ‘probably’ come from? Richard Dawkins doesn’t ‘probably’ believe there is no God! – and telling people to ‘Stop worrying’ is hardly going to comfort for those who are concerned about losing jobs or homes in the recession, but the posters will still prompt people to think about life’s big questions.

“Campaigns like this demonstrate how active atheists are often great adverts for Christianity.”

]]> By: Lee Clark http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-67032 Lee Clark Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:05:27 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-67032 Steph Re Jesus' existance: http://www.atheists.org/christianity/didjesusexist.html Steph

Re Jesus’ existance:
http://www.atheists.org/christianity/didjesusexist.html

]]> By: Hywel Morgan http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66774 Hywel Morgan Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:46:38 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66774 Because of the decency provisions or the need to substantiate your claims. I think if ever there was something incapable of objective substantiation this was it! Because of the decency provisions or the need to substantiate your claims. I think if ever there was something incapable of objective substantiation this was it!

]]> By: Iainm http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66772 Iainm Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:22:28 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66772 Given all the miraculous things jesus is claimed to have done and said it's suprising that the first historical hints (let's not get carried away by calling them 'records') for his existence date not from his own time but rather than from decades (at least) after his death. Except of course it isn't suprising, because the whole thing is a pack of lies. Given all the miraculous things jesus is claimed to have done and said it’s suprising that the first historical hints (let’s not get carried away by calling them ‘records’) for his existence date not from his own time but rather than from decades (at least) after his death.

Except of course it isn’t suprising, because the whole thing is a pack of lies.

]]> By: James Graham http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66771 James Graham Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:18:04 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66771 They had to put "probably" in because of the ASA. I don't think anyone's theological questioning is going to be answered on the back of a bumper sticker in any case. They had to put “probably” in because of the ASA. I don’t think anyone’s theological questioning is going to be answered on the back of a bumper sticker in any case.

]]> By: Hywel Morgan http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66769 Hywel Morgan Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:11:24 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66769 I find the wording of the adverts slight odd. "Probably" no God, surely it is the probably element that causes many people the doubt and worry about their religious faith. If there's only probably no God, and the benefit of believing in him is eternity in paradise then the logical position would be to worry about it. So isn't this campaign going to cause more people to worry about the existence of God. I find the wording of the adverts slight odd. “Probably” no God, surely it is the probably element that causes many people the doubt and worry about their religious faith.

If there’s only probably no God, and the benefit of believing in him is eternity in paradise then the logical position would be to worry about it.

So isn’t this campaign going to cause more people to worry about the existence of God.

]]> By: Laurence Boyce http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66768 Laurence Boyce Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:24:15 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66768 Yes Jesus probably existed (or Rabbi Yeshua to give him his real name). He was an "end of days" Jewish fundamentalist. The sort of guy you would dismiss today as having nothing to do with true religion. Yes Jesus probably existed (or Rabbi Yeshua to give him his real name). He was an “end of days” Jewish fundamentalist. The sort of guy you would dismiss today as having nothing to do with true religion.

]]> By: James Graham http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66767 James Graham Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:15:25 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66767 Steph: the short answer to your (initial) query is that the adverts aren't aimed at you, just as Alpha Course adverts aren't aimed at Richard Dawkins. They are aimed at agnostics. Steph: the short answer to your (initial) query is that the adverts aren’t aimed at you, just as Alpha Course adverts aren’t aimed at Richard Dawkins. They are aimed at agnostics.

]]> By: Julian H http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66766 Julian H Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:05:29 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66766 Laurence didn't deny the existence of a bloke named Jesus - he denied that this person was granted powers from Almighty God (/Himself) to turn water into wine. Laurence didn’t deny the existence of a bloke named Jesus – he denied that this person was granted powers from Almighty God (/Himself) to turn water into wine.

]]> By: Steph http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66765 Steph Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:55:58 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66765 There is more historical evidence that Jesus lived than Julius Caesar ever did. Not including Bible sources, Jesus was written about by the Jewish historian Josephus (A.D. 37-100), Pliny the Younger(in a letter to Emperor Trajan in A.D. 112), Tacitus (the important Roman historian), Suetonius (a Roman historian who compiled a biography of the first twelve Roman emperors in his "Life of Claudius") and Thallus and Julius Africanus in A.D. 52 and there are thousands of archaeological findings that point to Jesus existence. Jesus existed. That is not a story. There is more historical evidence that Jesus lived than Julius Caesar ever did. Not including Bible sources, Jesus was written about by the Jewish historian Josephus (A.D. 37-100), Pliny the Younger(in a letter to Emperor Trajan in A.D. 112), Tacitus (the important Roman historian), Suetonius (a Roman historian who compiled a biography of the first twelve Roman emperors in his “Life of Claudius”) and Thallus and Julius Africanus in A.D. 52 and there are thousands of archaeological findings that point to Jesus existence. Jesus existed. That is not a story.

]]> By: Laurence Boyce http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66763 Laurence Boyce Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:29:38 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66763 It was neither. That story was made up. It was neither. That story was made up.

]]> By: Steph http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-atheist-bus-campaign-4825.html#comment-66760 Steph Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:24:38 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=4825#comment-66760 Why is it implied that people who do believe in a God worry excessively and don't enjoy their lives?! I'm a 20 year old student, I'm having a brilliant life and I'm a christian. I think it should be remembered that not all christians are like the extremists that become well-known. I don't agree with anyone being yelled at that they are going to hell, but if anyone has any questions I'll answer honestly. Christianity is about love and forgiveness. And anyway, wasn't it water into wine?! Not wine to water! Why is it implied that people who do believe in a God worry excessively and don’t enjoy their lives?! I’m a 20 year old student, I’m having a brilliant life and I’m a christian. I think it should be remembered that not all christians are like the extremists that become well-known. I don’t agree with anyone being yelled at that they are going to hell, but if anyone has any questions I’ll answer honestly. Christianity is about love and forgiveness. And anyway, wasn’t it water into wine?! Not wine to water!

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