In the UK, atheists are getting aggressive…but not exercising much conviction.
The news article Atheists Plan Anti-God Ad Campaign on Buses reports that thirty buses in London will feature posters that read, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
So this was offensive for, like, half a second. When I read it again, the part about “probably” made me laugh. Here we have an atheist group that can’t even be fully convinced that God doesn’t exist. I guess that would make them more agnostic than atheists. Sounds like an organization with a slight identity crisis.
[Side note: If you ever encounter a self-professed agnostic, ask why they describe themselves using the Greek term instead of the Latin equivalent. Many don't realize that agnostic (Greek) is the same as ignoramus (Latin). Both mean "one who does not know."]
Back to the news story.
Now, I admit that this is a sad state of affairs and that a few people might be negatively influenced by this. Some will miss the underlying false assumptions of the ad: if you are worried and not enjoying life, it could be because religion might be oppressing you. Therefore, pretend that maybe God doesn’t exist after all — even we atheists/agnostics/ignoramuses can’t decide — and now you’ll be happy. Hopefully, most people will see through this lie. I tend to agree with one believer who was quoted in the news article: “Stunts like this demonstrate how militant atheists are often great adverts for Christianity.”
The truth of the matter is that God does exist and their are at least 20 solid, rational arguments for the existence of God. If you’d like to see them, they are summarized by philosophy professors Peter Kreeft and Ron Tacelli in their book, Handbook of Christian Apologetics. This same Dr. Kreeft makes a handful of these arguments available on his website’s featured writings section (see the article series Arguments for God’s Existence, beginning with Can You Prove God Exists?) and in free mp3 audio form (listen to Argument for God’s Existence and the separate lecture God’s Existence). So, if you don’t think that theism is rational, be open-minded enough to explore Dr. Kreeft’s arguments.
And if you’re searching for the meaning of life, I’ve not seen it better summarized than this:
God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in heaven. (from the Baltimore Catechism)
If your life is miserable, living like an atheist is part of your problem, not part of the solution. The answers you seek are in being conformed to God’s will, not in conforming God to your will or pretending that God doesn’t exist. As St. Augustine put it in the opening of his Confessions:
Thou hast made us for Thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in Thee.
You said:”So this was offensive for, like, half a second”
Why would it ever be offensive ? is it because you dont think those that think another way should be allowed to have a voice?.There is much advertising for pro religion it may be offending to those who think its a load of rubbish.Maybe it might be some of those have decide to exercise what rights they still have and been involved in putting thoughts on a bus .
You said:”When I read it again, the part about “probably” made me laugh. Here we have an atheist group that can’t even be fully convinced that God doesn’t exist. ”
Yes well seeing you obviously seem to be religious and so possibly likely to be a bit nasty from the nasty things you read .In not understanding things that are about being equal and fair im not surprised with a small taint of bigotry you found it a reason to be nasty and look for a reason to laugh .
Religious people even though they have no real good evidence to prove Gods still suggest “god is a fact”.This without real proof ! is really i suggest not to be thought the most intelligent approach to take .But then maybe it could be said that religion doesnt rely so much on intelligence but a whole lot more on what is called faith.
Besides . Did you realise or even think to understand that had these people said “there is no god” you religious folk would have been even more up in arms. And it could most likely been ruled to be offencesive seeing as the world thus far has been biased towards thoughts of those with no belief .And who knows, these religious bigots might have even been so nasty as to try and sue somebody .
Like you most religious folk dont care (even though you read a book that suggest you should) if your thoughts and advertising or monthly visits in our gates peddling your wares are at all offensive to us .You give no thought to anybody else but yourselves ! in your selfrightiouse thoughtlessness .
Thankfully though you are not all the same because there have been at least some religious folk online on their blogs and commenting on others , who have said and agreed that what has happened is quite ok .
Come on if you believe in the (good) book . Walk the walk ! dont just talk the talk .
After all its partly people like yourself who turn people against religion .
Enough said ?
Paul,
Thanks for the feedback! Just wanted to reply to some of your points…
• My comment about it being “offensive for, like, half a second” was my humorous way of saying that it really wasn’t offensive at all. If you read some of my other posts, I tend to use a bit of sarcasm in my writing.
• I did laugh at the wording of the advertisement. You see, the term atheist means that there is no God. But here we have a group of atheists that seem to waver on this point, saying there “probably” is no God. That’s funny! It’s like a math teacher not insisting that 1 + 1 = 2, but saying that 1 + 1 “probably” equals 2. Don’t you find that even just a bit funny?
• I wasn’t laughing to be nasty, and I don’t see how my religion automatically makes me a nasty person. Also, your charge of bigotry is unfounded. What in my post triggered that comment? A lot of my humor is self-deprecating (see my post on “Catholic Outreach, Southern Style” for a sampling, or browse my whole “Humor” category). If anything, I probably poke fun of my own religious beliefs more than anything else. Laughter is one of the great joys of life. Maybe I should have categorized this post under the “Humor” category, too.
• You wrote that there is “no real good evidence” that proves God’s existence. Please re-read the later part of my post, which offers links to the website of Boston College philosophy professor Dr. Peter Kreeft. He is quite an intelligent man and is a theist. He offers both written and audio-recorded resources explaining the rational proofs for God’s existence. I invite you to explore these and consider this viewpoint. You might disagree with it, but you can’t claim that theism is not rational.
• You suggested that the ad could have been worded, “There is no God…” I agree! I think this would have made the ad stronger in terms of communicating the atheist position. In it’s current form, the ad lacks conviction. Changing it to your suggested wording would more accurately convey the atheist message. This may, as you say, get other religious people “up in arms” but that’s okay. I’m not saying that this organization doesn’t have the right to communicate its message or use advertising as the medium for its message. I’m all for the free exchange of ideas. Censorship is bad.
• “Religious folks don’t care” if non-believers are offended by our religion?: not true. I care. I think that the path to true lasting happiness is through belief in God, loving one’s neighbors and participating in the sacramental life of the Church. I try to share this with others and respect those who disagree with me. True, some might be offended, but we don’t have a right to not be offended. My doctor might offend me by telling me that I’m an out-of-shape slob and that I need to eat better and exercise. But if it’s true and it will help me live a better life, then maybe I need to be offended every once in a while. Sometimes, the truth hurts. Sometimes, the most loving words can be painful. But if someone cares about you, they run the risk of offending you with the truth every once in a while.
Well, I think that addresses most of your points. Thanks again for reading the blog and for taking the time to comment.
I accepted your comments and that much you said was out of humor.I agree humor is quite ok infact its good like you say .But i will just say many of your fellow believers dont enjoy this simple fun ,they take offence when its pointed at their beliefs .Yet strangely it so often seems ok if it humor of other religions or that of non belief .What im all for is a level playing field.Thats all.
Yes you did address most of my points and i will leave them at that , i wont be looking at another theists pro religion suggested proof .Ive already read many ,and at this moment i just dont have the time.
But one point of mine i think you might have missed.
You said:I did laugh at the wording of the advertisement. You see, the term atheist means that there is no God. But here we have a group of atheists that seem to waver on this point, saying there “probably” is no God. That’s funny! It’s like a math teacher not insisting that 1 + 1 = 2, but saying that 1 + 1 “probably” equals 2. Don’t you find that even just a bit funny?”
Well as ive already pointed out above .Had they had worded it “there is no God” ,it could have been deemed offensive and some religious group with a big bag of money from tythes .Might have just decided to be so Christianly as to try to (sue them).Because there is laws in countrys for the religious that protect their beliefs against suggested offence.
Yet sadly if any wording like “there is a God” that might offend those that believe there is not !.Well its a case of double standards isnt it ! because for those of non beliefs its suggested to just be “oh to bad we dont care”. (lovely Christianly way to think)
But anyway like i also tried to point out .In reality thus far going (by matter of facts) nothing can be categorically as total fact (either way).There being a God or there not being any Gods!.
So in taking that in mind if we spoke in truths of the matter! any of disbelief would actually in being honest! have to said to admit to only being agnostic .Doubt of Gods!.
Many have laughed at the likes of Dawkins in the passed before and even in such glee clung to every word he`s said in looking for some small slip up.And when he`s answered before as to how sure he was of there is no gods ,something like 90 or 95%.They Christians thought it a joke . (funny they find a honest remark funny)
Yet being the scientist that he is its only a honest scientific type view to take ! .
I then ask in all (honesty) who is the most funniest when judging between those with no categorically proof as total fact claim “god is real” , or those that doubt .
All the best and keep up with the humor .
P.S …I follow my own thoughts .Hawkins or anyone else is not my guru.