The bus campaign

1) What do you think was the purpose of the campaign?

2) Is the message atheist or agnostic? How do you know?

3) Why do you think the specific words were used in the advert?

4) How do you think different people reacted to the campaign (e.g. atheists, agnostics, theists)?

5) What is the key difference in the follow up Christian bus campaign (see the picture below)?

6) Do you think this sort of advert should be allowed? Is it OK to publicise our beliefs and question the beliefs of others?

British Humanist Association ©2016

The bus campaign

Write comments on and around the picture below to explain what the words mean and the purpose of the advert.

Think about: What do the words in the advert mean? Why do you think they were used? Do the words imply the campaign is atheist, agnostic, or humanist?

British Humanist Association ©2016

The bus campaign: Answers

1) What do you think was the purpose of the campaign?The main aim of the campaign was not to convert people into atheists as some people claimed. It was affirming that it is OK to be non-religious, getting across the idea that one can lead a happy and fulfilling life without religion. It aimed to reassure those who already didn’t believe in a god. The advert also aimed to get people to think about the question and whether belief or non-belief in a god or gods makes a big difference to whether or not we can be happy and enjoy our lives.

2) Is the message atheist or agnostic? How do you know?In some sense the message is agnostic, because it uses the word ‘probably’. The word ‘probably’ meant that the campaign did not breach any advertising codes; it was also, in the eyes of the organiser, Ariane Sherine, more accurate: ‘Even though there’s no scientific evidence at all for God’s existence, it’s also impossible to prove that God doesn’t exist (or that anything doesn’t).’ However, there is also atheist sentiment in the sense that if we don’t know, then in the absence of evidence, it’s fine not to believe, and therefore we should get on with our lives as if there was no god.

3) Why do you think the specific words were used in the advert?The words make the campaign more humanist in sentiment than purely atheist or agnostic. They focus more on the positive approach to life than the negative absence of belief.

‘Probably’: we can’t know for certain that a god does not exist (see also above) ‘Stop worrying’: some humanists believe that the distraction of what a god might want and the idea

of an afterlife can cause some people to be afraid, or avoid focusing on the good things in this life; they also didn’t want people to worry about their non-belief in god (there is nothing unnatural about not believing: it is a view shared by millions of others).

‘Enjoy life’: many humanists believe that because there is no evidence for an afterlife, we need to make the most of this life. Robert Ingersoll, a nineteenth century American humanist, said, ‘The time to be happy is now!’

4) How do you think different people reacted to the campaign?Some people were offended but many others liked it. Many non-religious people said they liked the sentiment of the campaign, while some religious people said it got them thinking about what was important in their life. Some people (including some humanists) thought that the campaign over simplified things, that we can’t so easily shake off our worries; others said it was not meant to be taken too seriously, but was there to draw attention to the issue and raise questions. The number of new members joining the BHA more than doubled during the campaign.

5) What is the key difference in the follow up Christian bus campaign?The use of the word ‘definitely’ implies they believe they are certain god exists.

6) Do you think this sort of advert should be allowed? Is it OK to publicise one’s beliefs and question the beliefs of others?

Religious groups use such adverts all the time. Many humanists believe that there should not be limits on our freedom of speech. Everyone should be allowed to express their beliefs and be free to make up their own minds: that is part of living in a secular society where everyone is free to believe what they want. Humanists believe there is nothing wrong with questioning each other’s beliefs and values. It is a sign of a healthy society that it is open to discussion and debate.

British Humanist Association ©2016