Media Release

26 November 2008

Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc Bus Slogan Rejected!

‘APN Outdoors’ the company responsible for Public Metropolitan Transport Advertising says no to Atheism.

The bus slogan campaign proposed by the AFA with the thought provoking sentiment, “Atheism – Celebrate reason! ” has been refused for display by ‘APN Outdoors’. Various other phrases also deemed unacceptable.

Following the lead of Humanist’s in London and Washington in the USA, with their intended bus signs, an International program by Humanists and Atheists was to commence on the 20th January 09 using buses to express the secular viewpoint.

Richard Dawkins in supporting the London bus signs has stated that such a campaign “Will make people think”.

President of the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc, David Nicholls said: “I am flabbergasted. This is extremely disappointing and a severe blow to freedom of expression in Australia. We are witnessing the result of seemingly paranoid executives interfering with pertinent social comment. This action has thwarted the right to state peacefully and openly a legitimate and timely message without violence.

Australia is going to look provincial and narrow in outlook to the rest of the world because of this decision. The planet is moving to a more enlightened era but apparently, public transport advertising agents in Australia have missed the bus. Isn’t that ironic”

ABC Radio National – The Religion Report – Interview with David Nicholls about this Media Release.
(http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/default.htm

Media Contact:
David Nicholls
President
Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc
Private Mail Bag 6
MAITLAND SA 5573

Phone: (08) 8835 2269
Website: http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au
E-Mail: info@atheistfoundation.org.au

Interesting interview David.

Well it would appear we are not as secular in Australia as we would like to think particularly in view of the American Humanists' success with their slogan.

Well you can always try airline magazines, newspapers and internet sites. Perhaps the atheists could build their own billboards and erect them on properties with the permission of the owners?

Dear David,

You must not give up.

This unoffensive slogan certainly imbinges
on freedom of expression - and I wonder if
it is legal? Aren't transport companies
accountable to certain laws? Why can they
advertise certain things and not others?

Anyway, what about selling T-shirts with
clever catchy sayings, or if buses have
refused, what about approaching taxi-cab
owners? Large City Billboards?
Adds in Movie Theatres?
Billboards along main highways?
Sky-writing?

The list goes on...

Whatever you do, don't give up!
This is so wrong.

The bus slogan campaign proposed by the AFA with the thought provoking sentiment, “Atheism – Celebrate reason! ” has been refused for display by ‘APN Outdoors’. Various other phrases also deemed unacceptable.

no kidding gee your stupid
how can that be offensive

can you validate that ALL athiests are thinking?

#can you perhaps see more clearly if instead of believers
we talk about sexes[or races] ,or physical injury.

look your getting publicity now
much more than a buss could get

now you think those thinking dis believers reasoned this might happen?

ya think?

how could any one resent being called igno-rant[UN-reason-able]

cretanly [was meant to be certainly;
but hey i got an excuse for my
ignorance
,believing in god
made ME unreasonable [DUH]

not those who are so dumb they think giving up god makes them smarter

its a shame you wernt allowed your insulting others and linking unbelief to reason

if you got the higher reason reason out what happens to any un reasonable athiest who hasnt even read a book [let alone the book]

are we talking about the wheel chair dorkins or the flat fish dorkins?

the non wheel chair one is called dickkk dorkins for good reason
he isnt a scientist [the other one is]dont be confusing the two

David,
What we have here is political and economic road blocks (vested interests).
I am sure that a majority of Ausies wouldn't see that as 'offensive' but the vocal 'talkback radio set' would imagine all manner of demons being unleashed.
Suggestion, contact Dawkins' publishers and do the following joint bus campaign A picture of Dawkins' Book and title... The God Delusion underneath the words "think about it" or "what's your view?" (the latter isn't instructing just asking a question)something like that. The argument then has blured the line between freedom of speech and restrictive trade practices. One that goes on buses then the precident is set. for what ever comes next.ie your original slogan.
Heaps of $$$$$$ please :-)

One small point you seem to be confusing the terms Secularism and Atheism please don't. By definition Secularists allow for alternative opinions and Atheists (Dawkins) don't. ie I have no problemswith man's need for 'delusions' (we inhabit a 'stone age body', emotions and instincts consequently some people can't exist in the atheist's world)

If you don't want such outcomes.. then support me, and other Christians to get RID OF the "Racial and Religious Vilification Act"...

Because dear David... the Atheist Foundation has just become another VICTIM of it!

Now.. at last.. people might see just how perverted and twisted such ethno/Religoiu/Fascist laws are!

THE SLOGAN. "Atheism: Celebrate Reason"

THE PROBLEM. The obvious implication of such a slogan is that 'Believers in God are not reasonable'

THUS... people will take offense at this, and take the Atheist Foundation, the Bus company, and the Ad company to the equal opportunity court for religious vilification.

If you don't like it... PROTEST AGAINST THE LAW which enables this kind of supression to occur!

SUGGESTED SLOGANS
-"Atheism: something to think about"
-"Atheism: ?"

No David..your 'celebrate reason' is NOT a positive slogan.
It vilifies Believers in God... suggesting they are not reasonable.

ECONOMIC there is also the strong possibility that with 68% of Australians claiming Christianity as their faith....the bus companies might be consider this :)