These days, people who use the media as a tool, be it a politician, celebrity or anyone in general, can easily provide fodder that is offensive to individuals or groups in society. Therefore, it was no surprise when ads on subways and train stations around the world by agnostic and atheist societies began to evoke huge reactions of overblown outrage.

One of the more popular slogans (sic) is “There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” The statement did not actually argue that there is no God but rather pushes the remoteness or the limited possibility that there is a God. Most religious-practicing people probably read “There is NO God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

Recently the Ottawa city council voted 13-6 in favour of running this ad on its buses. Halifax, London and Vancouver had other ideas. They have refused to run the ads stating that they were offensive. Why is it offensive and exactly who is it being offended? How many ads out there do we see on television that are considered racy and not on par with how we feel? How do we deal with it? We mute the television, change the station, go for a snack or if it is really bad, turn the tv off. Transit users are not being forced to comply with these ads. They can still either be religious and/or lead a miserable life if they so choose. These ads are like any others – they are suggestive in nature. Therefore, people do not agree with them – they can look the other way!

How outlandish is the message? If the existence of God was a concrete, theoretical affirmation beyond a reasonable doubt, then this ad would deserve the scorn and scrutiny it has received. However, since there has been no clear divine intervention in human history on earth (there have been many moments where one was desperately needed), the ad is not all that far-fetched. Our society has gone secular for a very good reason. Religion demands a suspension of a rational thought process. That process is something we need to solve the political and social problems of our time. Generally, we have seen that the more fervously religious spots around the world are the areas where people are more easily offended. Case in point, the middle east is one angry place. Just ask any cartoonist in Denmark who chose to lampoon Muhammed.

In conclusion, whether people are religious or not, they should get on the bus of life and live it. If a poster offends you, turn the other cheek and look somewhere else.

Related posts:

1. Atheist Ads Approved For Ottawa Transit: The Reduction of a Complex Issue The Ottawa City Council has approved the Freethought Association of...

Tags: athiest ads, public transportation, subway

This entry was posted on Monday, March 30th, 2009 at 8:06 am and is filed under Activism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.