Topic: Atheist Bus coming to a stop near you...

[Andy @ Allerton]

And as for atheists 'forcing stuff on people', I really think you need to read more.  Seriously.  A few books and television interviews, and some advertising campaigns, PALES in comparison to the billions spent by theistic organisation promoting their own particular brand of 'whoop-whoop'.  Not only that, but theistic religions hold REAL power, not just economic, but actual political and in some cases, militaristic power.  They have and do enforce their doctrine through any means necessary.

The idea that atheists are forcing their way of thinking on people compared Theism's historical and ongoing onslaught is laughable.  Surely you can see that?

You're not listening.

I'm talking about personally Atheists forcing their (lack of) beliefs on others.

I haven't seen a single Religious 'advert' for anything I can remember recently (I live in the UK in Liverpool) - unless you can point some out?

[all_funkt_up]

I'M NOT INTERESTED. BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT TO BELIEVE. STOP FORCING YOUR SHITE ON ME. I DON'T CARE.

That would have been a decent slogan for the bus advert, perhaps next to a burning cross or a defaced mosque.

I dont believe in anything other than this life. I think that the whole "god" stuff is a load of tripe but generally keep my opinions to my self on the matter.

[xavidub]

Is a very good point and one that's been made before.

I would have a LOT more respect for Militant Atheists that refused to take the time off as it was a Christian Holiday that they didn't believe in.

But. Of course they won't.

I used to work in Care Homes and worked every Christmas for 5 years. My present employer doesn't open over Christmas.

Incidentally, I'd have a lot more respect for religious people if they actually practiced the values that they profess to believe in. But of course they don't.

[pantbash]

Is a very good point and one that's been made before.

I would have a LOT more respect for Militant Atheists that refused to take the time off as it was a Christian Holiday that they didn't believe in.

But. Of course they won't.

I celebrate the start of a new year, the entire holiday season is based around that.

Its pure newtonian motion of the Earth going around the sun, which , imo, has far more beauty and majesty than any religious festival.


Not my fault I was born into a predominatly Christian country that has the arrogance to assume everyone is celebrating its particular interpretation of midwinter.

[xavidub]

You're not listening.

I'm talking about personally Atheists forcing their (lack of) beliefs on others.

I haven't seen a single Religious 'advert' for anything I can remember recently (I live in the UK in Liverpool) - unless you can point some out?

Really? You didn't notice any stars or men on camels or cribs or carols over the last few weeks?

[corkboy]

It's a Christian Festival now though, for almost everyone other than the few remaining druids.

Good on you for working.

It's no more a christian festival than New Year is a Scottish festival. Santa has absolutely fuck all to do with religion, nor does the gift giving. Seriously, how much christianity do you see in Christmas?

[Andy @ Allerton]

Really? You didn't notice any stars or men on camels or cribs or carols over the last few weeks?

A Crib, a Star and Men on Camels are 'adverts' are they?

Fair enough.

Arf.

[Danny Boys Dad]

It's no more a christian festival than New Year is a Scottish festival. Santa has absolutely fuck all to do with religion, nor does the gift giving. Seriously, how much christianity do you see in Christmas?

I see quite a lot, it's not all about presents and the latest Dr Who. For a lot of people it's still a celebration of the birth of Jesus rather than a big party.

[xavidub]

A Crib, a Star and Men on Camels are 'adverts' are they?

Fair enough.

Arf.

All adverts for a myth. And the fact that you don't even see them as such shows how deeply ingrained they are in your psyche. It doesn't have to be on a billboard to be an advert.

[Andy @ Allerton]

All adverts for a myth. And the fact that you don't even see them as such shows how deeply ingrained they are in your psyche. It doesn't have to be on a billboard to be an advert.

If it's a clear night tonight then please try not to look up, also, try not to visit mothercare or watch any programmes about the Middle East as your fragile Psyche may be damaged beyond repair

[xavidub]

If it's a clear night tonight then please try not to look up, also, try not to visit mothercare or watch any programmes about the Middle East as your fragile Psyche may be damaged beyond repair

ok. And for god's sake don't leave the house or one of those buses may pass by and you will be damned forever

[Danny Boys Dad]

All adverts for a myth. And the fact that you don't even see them as such shows how deeply ingrained they are in your psyche. It doesn't have to be on a billboard to be an advert.

Sounds like it's ingrained in your psyche as well 

Jesus wept.

Merry Christmas Rawk-ites.

[Andy @ Allerton]

ok. And for god's sake don't leave the house or one of those buses may pass by and you will be damned forever

Luckily I don't live in the cess pit that is London, so there's no chance of that

[pantbash]

Luckily I don't live in the cess pit that is London, so there's no chance of that

Just in case you need to avoid the message.
http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/bus-locations/

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Luckily I don't live in the cess pit that is London, so there's no chance of that

Admit it Andy, you've not actually read the opening article have you. Tut tut. 

[Andy @ Allerton]

Just in case you need to avoid the message.
http://www.atheistbus.org.uk/bus-locations/

So they've spread all over the UK.

What a worthwhile cause.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Admit it Andy, you've not actually read the opening article have you. Tut tut. 

Nope

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Nope

Obviously not compulsory, but I would generally recommend it as it can help prevent you from making a tit of yourself later in the thread

[Andy @ Allerton]

Obviously not compulsory, but I would generally recommend it as it can help prevent you from making a tit of yourself later in the thread

I just assumed that anything so half-baked, stupid and pointless was odds-on to being in London.

I didn't realise that the IQ in the whole of the UK had dipped sharply in recent weeks.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

I just assumed that anything so half-baked, stupid and pointless was odds-on to being in London.

I didn't realise that the IQ in the whole of the UK had dipped sharply in recent weeks.

[yorkykopite]

Is a very good point and one that's been made before.

I would have a LOT more respect for Militant Atheists that refused to take the time off as it was a Christian Holiday that they didn't believe in.

But. Of course they won't.

Will Christians refuse to take time off in the summer and other secular holidays as a demonstration of their piety? Or do they intend to continue to piggy-back off the Trade Union movement in this country which fought for these rights?

[eLVIScOSTELLO]

I'm an atheist.

And an insomniac.

And I'm dyslexic too.

I sit up all night convincing myself there's no such thing as a Dog.......

[Andy @ Allerton]

Will Christians refuse to take time off in the summer and other secular holidays as a demonstration of their piety? Or do they intend to continue to piggy-back off the Trade Union movement in this country which fought for these rights?

Here piggy, piggy, piggy...

That's quite a leap of assumption - taking it as red that all Christians are nothing to do with Trade Unions and, further, you seem to be suggesting they are also Anti-Trade Union.

In short you're chatting shite.

[Andy @ Allerton]

I'm an atheist.

And an insomniac.

And I'm dyslexic too.

I sit up all night convincing myself there's no such thing as a Dog.......

BOOM-TISH!

[Danny Boys Dad]

Will Christians refuse to take time off in the summer and other secular holidays as a demonstration of their piety? Or do they intend to continue to piggy-back off the Trade Union movement in this country which fought for these rights?

Summer holidays aren't the sole preserve of atheists, although half the summer resorts are full of heathens, and many of the trade unionists you mention would have been religious as well.

[DowntheLine1981]

You're not listening.

I'm talking about personally Atheists forcing their (lack of) beliefs on others.

I haven't seen a single Religious 'advert' for anything I can remember recently (I live in the UK in Liverpool) - unless you can point some out?

Have you not seen 'The Alpha Course' being advertised anywhere?

Or the Church of Later Day Saints asking you to pick up a free video about the story of Jesus.

Or various newspaper adverts from church denominations?

Or 'Songs of Praise' being on TV  on a Sunday?

Or TV's 'the Faith Show' on Sunday?

Or even people outside Marks and Spencers with microphones on Church Street telling your going to hell if you don't start loving a god (who is apparently all loving and all forgiving.)

[Andy @ Allerton]

Have you not seen 'The Alpha Course' being advertised anywhere?

Nope.

[DowntheLine1981]

Nope.

Walk past a town hall, community centre or any place with a meeting hall.  You'll see one.  Its the church's latest recruitment ploy.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Surely "Songs of Praise" and "The Faith Show" are intended for a certain group in society as part of the public service remit of the broadcasters.  In much the same way as the Radio 4's "Farming Today" programme is aimed at Farmers, "See hear" is aimed at the deaf.  This hardly constitutes advertising and it's footprint in the schedule is absolutely minimal when compared to "Strictly I'm A Pop Idol's Big Brother with the X Factor Get Me Out Of Oliver" which is aimed at morons.

[pantbash]

Also most places of worship are generally a lot larger and more ostentatious that is strictly nessecary to house a given number of worshippers.

Built for "the glory of God" and all that, its basically advertising old school style.
(Mine's bigger then yours, so must be better, come flock to my impressive building.)


I quite often see billboards/signs outside said buildings with religious messages on.

[yorkykopite]

Surely "Songs of Praise" and "The Faith Show" are intended for a certain group in society as part of the public service remit of the broadcasters.  In much the same way as the Radio 4's "Farming Today" programme is aimed at Farmers, "See hear" is aimed at the deaf.  This hardly constitutes advertising and it's footprint in the schedule is absolutely minimal when compared to "Strictly I'm A Pop Idol's Big Brother with the X Factor Get Me Out Of Oliver" which is aimed at morons.

True enough. But it would be nice to have a couple of weekly atheist shows to even things out a bit.

[Rafas Tapas]

I don't know why you would choose to use derogatory language to describe people who agree with each other.

That isn't fair mate.  At university two of my best mates were as atheist as they come and I enjoyed many a lively and good natured debate with them.  I suppose they agreed with each other, largely, and with a lot of what Dawkins had written up to that point, but they'd thought deeply about these questions and synthesized opinions of their own.  Believe me I have far more respect for the views of atheists of this stamp than for those of blinkered Bible-bashers (whom I avoided at university).  My problem is with atheists who have given no time to reflection but have a dim awareness that it is a fashionable and (in my view, wrongly) a "liberal" point of view and have stored up some sound-bites that they can throw out - whether relevant or not - in an argument on a message board. 

 

[lachesis]

True enough. But it would be nice to have a couple of weekly atheist shows to even things out a bit.

What about walking with dinosaurs and discovery programmes, sky at night and all them. They promote science and evolution rather than creationism and God.

You're not going to get a Jeremy Kyle by atheists for atheists.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

True enough. But it would be nice to have a couple of weekly atheist shows to even things out a bit.

Well, there have been quite a few Dawkins featuring Atheist programmes, but on the whole you're back to being defined by the negative aren't you really.  It's like demanding that there are more programmes about not liking football.

[BazC]

True enough. But it would be nice to have a couple of weekly atheist shows to even things out a bit.

There are loads! You see all these documentaries about Jesus being real etc. That can't go down well with Christians. Dawkins of course.

Either way, it's a bit weird characterising a group of people by something they don't believe in- if you don't like those religious programmes, just do what I do and switch it over   

I mean, you wouldn't have an "anti-football" show pointing out the pointlessness to football to even out MOTD would you?! If you don't like MOTD, you just don't watch it!

[corkboy]

My problem is with aetheists who have given no time to reflection but have a dim awareness that it is a fashionable and (in my view, wrongly) a "liberal" point of view and have stored up some sound-bites that they can throw out - whether relevant or not - in an argument on a message board. 

That's a thumping bit of presumption on your part, though, isn't it? I mean, you don't know that all those atheists are just regurgitating soundbites, do you? Despite what you may think, the atheist/deist argument only has so many turns. Eventually, like minded people will begin to sound like each other.

[DowntheLine1981]

Surely "Songs of Praise" and "The Faith Show" are intended for a certain group in society as part of the public service remit of the broadcasters.  In much the same way as the Radio 4's "Farming Today" programme is aimed at Farmers, "See hear" is aimed at the deaf.  This hardly constitutes advertising and it's footprint in the schedule is absolutely minimal when compared to "Strictly I'm A Pop Idol's Big Brother with the X Factor Get Me Out Of Oliver" which is aimed at morons.

At yet De Mayo, I would argue strongly that a weekly program exhorting a invisible sky god IS advertising.  These aren't programs discussing the intellectual validity of a particular faith, they are 'songs of praise', designed to praise a supreme being and receiving my money for it.  Farmers Today and other such fair have a practical use.  Watching a church full of people sing does not.  Its just background noise for the elderly.

Admittedly, now that I think about it, the Faith Show does discuss matters of theology, but Songs of Praise is just downright propaganda.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

That's a thumping bit of presumption on your part, though, isn't it? I mean, you don't know that all those atheists are just regurgitating soundbites, do you? Despite what you may think, the atheist/deist argument only has so many turns. Eventually, like minded people will begin to sound like each other.

In fairness I know where he is coming from mate, much as I enjoy this particular debate with you, Yorky and others on here. There is a veritable army just waiting on the sidelines ready to chip in with:

a) an image of a crutch
b) the allegation that religion is responsible for the vast majority of all wars
c) an apposite Bill Hicks quote
d) that fucking spaghetti monster bollocks

It hardly suggests any lucid thought has been given to the matter does it?

So, presumptious maybe, but a presumption made with quite a bit of circumstantial supporting evidence.

[Andy @ Allerton]

At yet De Mayo, I would argue strongly that a weekly program exhorting a invisible sky god IS advertising.  These aren't programs discussing the intellectual validity of a particular faith, they are 'songs of praise', designed to praise a supreme being and receiving my money for it.  Farmers Today and other such fair have a practical use.  Watching a church full of people sing does not.  Its just background noise for the elderly.

Admittedly, now that I think about it, the Faith Show does discuss matters of theology, but Songs of Praise is just downright propaganda.

Propoganda

Do you actually find it possible to live in the real world without 'special help'?

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

At yet De Mayo, I would argue strongly that a weekly program exhorting a invisible sky god IS advertising.  These aren't programs discussing the intellectual validity of a particular faith, they are 'songs of praise', designed to praise a supreme being and receiving my money for it.  Farmers Today and other such fair have a practical use.  Watching a church full of people sing does not.  Its just background noise for the elderly.

Admittedly, now that I think about it, the Faith Show does discuss matters of theology, but Songs of Praise is just downright propaganda.

You see, the problem I have with you DTL, is that unlike others, you seem wholly unable to join in this debate without resort to petty jibes like "invisible sky god", so much easier to just type God (or god if you prefer). No?

As for the purpose of songs of praise. It enables housebound old people who are no longer able to attend church to "attend" service once a week. I should know, my old nan, used to watch it, well, religiously.  As I said, it is public service TV.