Thanks to David for explaining the restrictions on wording for bus advertisements in Australia. On balance, I think that the proposed advertising campaign could well be part of a useful antidote to the insidious encroachment of religiosity into almost every aspect of contemporary life in Australia.

The religionists are cashed up, obsessed and increasingly aggressive. I think it's fair and reasonable that an organisation of atheists responds to them with an advertising campaign if that's what their members decide.

Pericles,
"...I'm sure we've all seen documentaries at some point, of religious cults whose members don't respond even to the most gentle and rational counter-arguments. In fact, they are manipulated into accepting that opposition to their beliefs is a natural consequence of their being "right" and the rest of the world "wrong", and that they should use such antipathy to strengthen their faith..."

Not only documentaries...you've just described Gibo in his/her recent discussion thread "Any evidence that the Bible Genesis account isnt the truth"

Hi David,
Like CJ, I’d like to say thanks for explaining the restrictions on the wording for the advertisements and pointing out some other details I was concerned about.
Because of the extra info, I gave the idea some more thought and also took in the contributions by other posters.

When looking at the overall aim of the campaign and realising that the slogan is merely an innocent statement of a fact, I don’t think I have any reasonable objections left.

So, good luck, go for it! I hope you keep us updated on the progress of this campaign.

I love the idea of the funny atheist slogans on T-shirts as well. Perhaps they will make great fundraisers as well as mugs, posters, diaries…

Funny, now that I made up my mind about this campaign, I’m getting quite excited about it.

We appear to continue at cross-purposes, David Nicholls.

>>The simple fact is that the AFA it putting together an advertising campaign as per the London one<<

And you would prefer that no-one suggests this is a waste of time and money.

>>The armchair reaction to the intended bus slogans is understandable, expected and frankly, dismissed as irrelevant<<

You make sure that your position on constructive dialogue is not misunderstood:

>>Others are ideologically opposed to Atheism daring to express any ideas.<<

For example?

>>You seem to misunderstand Atheism. There is no such thing as “organised Atheism”<<

So AFA is... what? When describing it, you can play with words as much as you like, but it would be practically impossible to keep the words atheism and organization out of the same sentence.

But please, since you are raising and spending this money on behalf of AFA, which of its five Aims does this bus advert campaign support?

And exactly how does it achieve this?

C J Morgan, thanks for your support.

Celivia, and so are we. I will keep the forum updated as you suggest.

Pericles, when you see Coke advertised, it is not until you actually investigate further and have a drink do you discover what it is all about.

David

Hi David

You said:

"Society changes both because of pressure groups and because of individuals with different ideas from the accepted. Are you sure it is not the case that you are not willing to sacrifice a small part of your independent thought by combing with others of like mind, even if it is for a good cause... Of course my words will not alter the ideas held by those on this forum but it is my words and your words and the words of humanists, secularists, rationalists and Atheist that eat away at society until the reason they present eventually rubs off on future generations."

David, while you make some good points, one concern is that if Atheists become as dogmatic as some of the nuttiest religious types we risk becoming just another mobilised mob with attitude pushing our own barrow. (I am not saying you are like this David just that the concept poses that risk). The biggest obstacle is demonstrating that religion is instrinsically bad for society. Certainly the more corrupt and extremist versions are easily proven, but for the majority of believers who are more moderate and secular in action and thought - perhaps not so.

I tend to agree with Fractelle's comments in regard to the separation of Church and State and taxation reform as being worthy of some form of lobbying action.

Sometimes, leading by example ("random acts of kindness" and all that) can be the simplest but most effective mode of influence.

Missionary zeal no matter how well intentioned can be self-defeating. It doesn't work for the more vocal evangelical groups who seem more obsessed with amassing wealth than wealth (spiritual or otherwise) for the masses.

But I will think about what you have said. I am just not sure that becoming active as such, is the right way to go. Although part of that evolution I mentioned earlier may also include influence from groups like the AFA. I will think about what you have said and mull it over a bit more.