Stephen Green and the Atheist Buses

[naomi24]

Stephen Green, Director of Christian Voice, has complained to the Advertising Standards Agency, saying that the slogan on the Atheist buses - 'There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life' - breaks the ASA's codes on substantiation and truthfulness.

http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/pres s-releases/stephen-green-challenges-atheist-bu s-adverts-bha-responds-$1259438$365873.htm

This is the same man who opposed the HPV vaccine on the grounds that it would encourage promiscuity (thereby leaving girls at risk of cervical cancer), who attempted to have Jerry Springer, the Opera, banned, and who was arrested for distributing anti-homosexual literature at a gay rally.

Ironically, this quote comes from Stephen Green.

'It is preposterous for the ASA to think they can outlaw Christian freedom of speech and free expression of opinion.'

Mmm ..... but it's not preposterous for him to wish to outlaw everybody else's right to freedom of speech and free expression of opinion, it seems.

Personally, I find people like Stephen Green to be not only incredibly arrogant, but tiresome in the extreme, and in some instances, positively dangerous. Nothing would ever induce me to deem anything such people have to say worthy of serious consideration, so my question is, do those who feel they are qualified to continually preach religion in an attempt to impose their will on everyone else do more harm than good to the cause they are championing - religion?

[123everton]

Freedom of speech is just that, he's made a huge boo boo on this.
I don't like Stephen Green, I don't agree with his agenda on the vilification of gays.
I think you could look at the HPV opposition and say that they feel abstinence is a better solution, I know someone whose daughter got given the HPV vaccine and she woke up the next day crippled from the neck down.
There's a double standard in the media with regard to Springer opera (I would'nt bother my ar5e protesting about it) but a similar play centering on a Gudwara was moved, should'nt have been.
Anyone who seeks to impose their will on others emotionally, spiritually and politically can stand accused of the same things with greater or lesser egrees of certainty dependent on your own particular prejudices.

[Octavius]

See, I wouldn't have even paid any attention to this article and this man, probably just ignored it as irrelevant.

The fact that you are listening to this numpty drawing attention to him and spreading his word is just daft in my view. Are you his publicist or something?

[Whickerman]

People, unfortunately you cannot avoid entering the debate against this idiot and his type. If you do, you risk being in the same situation as we have been in Ireland, where laws have been shaped based on public opinion - the trouble being for years the only public opinion making itself heard was the Catholic commandos. Luckily things are changing, but in the US it's again gone this way and groups that would have been considered radical a generation ago are now shaping policies. The loudest voice is usually heard unfortunately.

[naomi24]

Wow, Octavius. Very impressive. No flies on you is there? My secret is out! Guilty as charged!

Just daft in your view, you say - but just one really daft problem with your post in my view. You've intimated that if it hadn't been for my question, you wouldn't have paid any attention to the article - you would have 'just ignored it as irrelevant' - but that isn't true. You've conveniently overlooked the fact that you answered a question in S&C yesterday, which, unlike mine, relates directly to the issue of the Atheist buses. Perhaps you should pay that question another visit and tell the author that you've sussed him out too. You really must try harder, Octavius.

[Octavius]

Righto, whatever.

[chakka35]

Quite comical, these people, aren't they?
The slogan on the bus is a perfectly sound rational statement.
Next time I see a poster outside a church saying "JESUS LIVES!" shall I contact the ASA?

D'you know, I don't think I'll bother.

[naomi24]

Probably very wise, Chakka - although it would be an interesting exercise, don't you think? :o)

Surely only those as besotted by religion as he is can support this sort of nonsense. Does it muster new recruits - or does it have the reverse effect?

[Octavius]

People will see the bus and reconfirm their existing beliefs, one or too (hundred, thousands) may convert either way. Some might even �go public�. I don�t think SG will push or pull anyone in particular. The people who agree with him are already convinced of their denomination, and everyone else will just carry on regardless. Although we might all agree he is a bigoted numpty, atheists seem to listen to him more than your general religious person. As said by the articulate Waldo in another thread, most Christians find SG profoundly embarrassing.

People who share his views might align themselves with him, but bigots come from all walks of life.

[Davethedog]

You must voice your outrage over this man, to ignore him and say nothing means, in his mind, that he has support.

We as a people should be aware of the fundementalist christian movement it is as insiduous and as damaging as any other fundamentalist movement.

The slow creeping ithe christians in America is a problem as it impinges on politics and policy. Every president gets to the Oval office through a church door.

And should they ever get to power you can be sure that that we to would be back in the middle ages.

[Octavius]

So you would deny his right to freedom of speech then?

[rojash]

Personally, although I have been a confirmed atheist for many years, I think the whole concept of the atheist bus is pretty stupid anyway.

I'm an atheist, full stop. That simply means I don't believe in gods; atheism is not a religion; atheists don't need converts, so the idea of atheist "missionaries" is almost a contradiction in terms.

[Davethedog]

Octavius - Where did I say that I would deny him freedom of speech? I said voice outrage.

But he would deny other peoples right to freedom of speech which I take you agree with.

The fact is ignoring "this numpty" is far more dangerous than confronting him.

Not only that ignoring him plays right into the hands of some people. Doesn't it?

[jno]

anyone here ever got, or lost, religion because of something they read on the side of a bus?

Thought not.

[Octavius]

No Dave, just asking.
I can understand the need to remonstrate with people to view your opinion, but insofar as SG is concerned it would be futile as he will never listen or change his views, and he would likely put it down to anti-Christian persecution or an impingement on his right to freedom of speech � whether he recognises that in others or not. Until he starts to inflict physical harm on others he is best waved to one side so we can all follow part 2 of the (collective) atheist message � or even that of Jesus � to live contentedly and in respect of each other and in enjoyment of life itself.

I really can�t help in thinking that most of the atheists on the AB site seem to live far more insidious lives in their views towards the religionists on AB, than vice-versa. Keen to spread this message about �probably no god, so enjoy life� but not really following it, the preference being to take that message and debase the religious members of AB.

That�s fine of course as it won�t lead me to give up my faith, it just makes me think atheists are as intolerant and hateful as SG himself.

[jno]

"although I have been a confirmed atheist for many years..."

I hardly like to ask if you had a proper confirmation ceremony, rojash...

[Marijn]

jno, what is written on the side of the bus is very reassuring to some people and they NEED that message.
I'm talking about people who are God FEARING. And who would enjoy life more if religion wasn't in their lives and hadn't ever been.

[Octavius]

Er, why would an atheist fear God, or eternal damnation? Surely they consider neither exists and neither is therefore possible?

Anyone who was frantically toying between the two ideas would hardly be reassured by the use of the word �probably�. So I don�t really see where you are coming from notafish. If someone was contemplating the switch, where would they go?

[Marijn]

I'm talking from personal experience. You need to understand that some people have been force fed religion from the first day of their lives, and believe me it's very hard to shake off. You don't just switch one day from praying and going to church, then suddenly it's all over.
It takes years to fight it off. And it's very reassuring for people like me to see that message on a bus.
It's extremely hard to have the confidence to believe in yourself instead of what the nuns at school told you, what the priests at church told you, and what your family have told you. Because according to them you are commiting a mortal sin.
I don't expect you to understand, because this is my life and my experience, not yours.

[Octavius]

Ok, I understand, that�s fair enough.

Presumably, you will now be adopting that maxim and ignoring all the religious adverts, referring to eternal damnation. I am pleased for you that the atheist bus advert has brought you the reassurance.