Canadian Atheist Bus Campaign
by Katie Kish on Jan.08, 2009, under Atheism, Secular Org. Links
The Freethought Association of Canada, a Canadian charity, has decided to launch it’s own atheist bus campaign in Toronto, Ontario. The hardest part, we’ve found so far.., is coming up with a really good slogan that catches people’s attention without being confrontational or negative. Thus far we’ve been given the following ideas, (I will update as we are given more)… PLEASE leave your ideas in the comments! We need that perfect slogan.
1. Respect is for people not gods.
2. Superstitions just hold us back, the future is godless.
3. Religion is to humanity like oil is to water.
4. To bring about harmony we must remove religious segregation.
5. A religious mind is a constraint on science and creativity.
6. Think for yourself, don’t let one of the gods do it for you.
7. People come before ideas
8. people before ideas
9. put people before gods
10. Live Life Beyond Belief
11. Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world. - Voltaire
12. Examine religious principles, and you will scarcely be persuaded that they are anything but sick men’s dreams. - David Hume
13. I regard religion as a disease born of fear and as a source of untold misery to the human race. - Bertrand Russell
14. Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence.
15. A casual stroll through a lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything. - Friedrich Nietzsche
16. The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
17. don’t believe in god? you are not alone
18. god’s not great
19. no god, just love
20. atheists have faith in people
21. atheists have faith in YOU
22. There’s probably no God, now stop worrying and get on with your life
23. Since the Bible and the church are obviously mistaken in telling us where we came from, how can we trust them to tell us where we are going?
24.Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer.
25. On the first day, man created God.
26. Compassion is not religious business; it is human business.
27. Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.
28. A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything - Friedrich Nietzsche
29. We are all atheists. Some just believe in one less god than you.
30. I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours. - Stephen Roberts
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January 8th, 2009 on 1:15 pm
I like 19 & 24. 25 isn’t bad either. I’ve always thought using a good quote about atheism would work, although I can’t look at any right now (@ work)!
January 8th, 2009 on 1:19 pm
19 and 24 are my favorites too. 1 isn’t that bad. …But i really love the other 2.
Post more ideas when you can…:) ie - when you’re not at work. lol
January 8th, 2009 on 1:21 pm
Use 24. I like it best
January 8th, 2009 on 1:56 pm
1, 19, 20 and 24 would be my picks.
January 8th, 2009 on 2:11 pm
Sorry 19 is totally lame. 24 is quite good. If 24 is a direct quote it should cite the author.
In general a quote is going to be more powerful than a simple unsourced slogan, assuming the person being quoted is of some stature, because it has a double impact: first the content of the words themselves and the ideas therein, but second the association with a famous or influential person will force many people to read the quote a second time and contemplate it longer and harder than they would have otherwise. Having a direct quote also insulates you from any charges of bias, hate, censorship, etc etc. Clearly if someone so famous has said such things it must be part of the legitimate public discourse! In BC we used 11-15 on posters that we put up around our college campus. When the college tried to censor the posters (which they did) they were then not just censoring us they were censoring Voltaire and Hume! The BC Civil Liberties Association came with lawyers to fight the censorship in court if necessary and the college backed down.
By removing the name citation from many of the quotes above you needlessly hamstring the effectiveness of the quote.
Also, controversy is good in the world of publicity, and the very act of advertising something like this is inherently controversial. By steering away from the more hard hitting quotes you are sending mixed messages, and undercutting the effectiveness of what you are trying to accomplish.
Of the direct quotes listed above I think #14 and #16 are the best for the campaign. For #16 you should not use the second sentence. Only the first sentence, surrounded by quotes, with the speaker’s name following. In this case - George Bernard Shaw.
For #14 you should add the entire quote as well as the speaker: “Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines” - Bertrand Russell.
If the campaign is willing the show a little spine, in comparative balance to the spine displayed by the doubting Thomas bible quote I observed on the train platform outside of London in which doubters are quoted by God as “fools”, then I think that a harder hitting quote should be used. 11 is out because it targets only one religion. 15 is less good because Nietzsche is not necessarily someone we want as a spokesperson for our ideas.
The two mentioned are very good. Both are pithy and display important ideas. Both are by famous intellectuals, one an american, the other british. If 24 is a direct quote then that too would be a good option, however I think direct quotes are a necessity.
By the way, the authors of some of the other quotes above are:
11. Voltaire
12. David Hume
13. Bertrand Russell
15. Friedrich Nietzsche
January 8th, 2009 on 2:22 pm
- Compassion is not religious business; it is human business.
- Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.
January 8th, 2009 on 2:46 pm
“A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything”(Friedrich Nietzsche).
January 8th, 2009 on 2:52 pm
I like 17… it reminds me of the United Church’s Creed…”We are not alone, we live in God’s world…” which, having just re-read I quite believe and have seen the light that your slogan campagin is a good way to encourage people to re-connect with their beliefs.
xo
January 8th, 2009 on 2:54 pm
We are all atheists. Some just believe in one less god than you.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
- Stephen Roberts
January 8th, 2009 on 3:07 pm
1,6,17,20,22,24 or 26
January 8th, 2009 on 3:22 pm
Man created god in his image. An emotional whore.
Faith means not wanting to know what is true.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned.
I still say a church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence.
Blind faith is an ironic gift to return to the Creator of human intelligence.
What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.
What’s “God”? Well, you know, when you want something really bad and you close your eyes and you wish for it? God’s the guy that ignores you.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish.
Calling Atheism a religion is like calling bald a hair color.
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.
Religion does three things quite effectively: Divides people, Controls people, Deludes people.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people.
Most religions prophecy the end of the world and then consistently work together to ensure that these prophecies come true.
Religion is like a virus that affects the behaviour of its host in such a way as to propagate itself further.
January 8th, 2009 on 3:24 pm
If there is a god, let him strike this bus with lightning!
January 8th, 2009 on 4:04 pm
I like “Live Life Beyond Belief.” Remember it’s going to be flying by on the side of a bus, so rule out anything over 10-12 words at the most. In context, it will make people wonder what it means, and then get it when they see the sponsors, or a more detailed tagline, and realize it’s atheist. And it’s a positive message, whereas many of these are not. Go negative, and you confirm an atheist stereotype.
January 8th, 2009 on 4:44 pm
21, it’s more positive and easier to repeat.
January 8th, 2009 on 4:58 pm
Believe in God or burn in Hell!
(Just kidding. We made that up.)
January 8th, 2009 on 5:02 pm
Faith doesn’t mean truth.
May Reason Free Your Mind and Soften Your Heart.
Embrace reality, forsake myths.
If faith made sense you wouldn’t need faith.
Renounce mythology.
Faith that cannot survive criticism isn’t worth having.
January 8th, 2009 on 5:11 pm
No 22 would match the British one, and make it more of an international campaign.
January 8th, 2009 on 5:29 pm
10 and 24
January 8th, 2009 on 5:30 pm
17 and 25 for me
January 8th, 2009 on 6:37 pm
Tony:
If faith made sense you wouldn’t need faith.
That is bloody genius, Tony. I think we have a winner.
January 8th, 2009 on 6:48 pm
Imagine no religion.
-John Lennon
January 8th, 2009 on 8:14 pm
Do 17 or 25. The rest will just piss people off for no reason. (25 is used by Hofesh, the Israeli answer to CFI, with reasonable success).
January 8th, 2009 on 8:16 pm
Religion is a choice, have the choice to not choose it
January 8th, 2009 on 8:50 pm
I’d go with 21.
Thinking maybe a variation might work even better
21. atheists have faith in Us
21. atheists have faith in All Of Us
21. atheists have faith in Everyone
21. atheists have faith in Every-One
nope 21. it is.
January 8th, 2009 on 9:42 pm
“Don’t believe in god? You are not alone.”
This reaches out to other non-believers without giving them the “atheist” label, without them feeling that if they where not to believe in god, they are somehow part of a group with some agenda they don’t know about. (not everyone knows that atheism means simply not believing in a deity).
Lets reach out to those who haven’t sat down and given the matter some thought. This slogan would be very comforting for atheists, and will also let the believers know that an alternative exists.
Anyway, quoting Nietzsche or making other witty remarks would probably have the opposite effect if your goal is to make life easier for atheists.
PS. I noticed it is already suggested as number 17
January 8th, 2009 on 9:58 pm
I am joining the camp of #17: “Don’t believe in god? You are not alone.”
This may be the first time in history that atheists are making a concerted group effort to be noticed by the population at large. It’s important not to screw it up by appearing negative and providing ammunition to the opposition in this first salvo. Harsh statements have backfired in some campaigns south of the border. Once this message is digested, it will always be time to strengthen it in later postings. For now, a foot in the door approach is prudent.
January 8th, 2009 on 10:53 pm
“No God is better than your God”
January 8th, 2009 on 10:55 pm
I, too, favour #17; it’s utterly immune to an attack on the grounds of being inflammatory. The more appropriate nature of this campaign is an expression of solidarity in atheism, not outright degradation of religion (even though the two are obviously not mutually exclusive). As has been said, it’d be the wrong approach to be hateful about it.
January 9th, 2009 on 12:48 am
5, 11 14 and 24 please!
January 9th, 2009 on 4:55 am
17 and 24.
January 9th, 2009 on 8:15 am
Atheism is default. You need to be indoctrinated to believe otherwise.
January 9th, 2009 on 1:02 pm
21 please! I think it gets the message across in a positive way and without being preachy (har har).
January 9th, 2009 on 2:54 pm
24 is dynamite - is there an attribution?
I’d also vote for the following (with slight changes)
12a. Examine religious principles, and you will scarcely be persuaded that they are anything but…dreams. - David Hume
(I say there’s no sense getting inflammatory with the “sick” part - this says it all and quite effectively)
14a. Religion is merely a holdover from the infancy of humankind.
January 11th, 2009 on 2:35 pm
I’d go with 29 or 17. They aren’t accusatory or belittling of faith. However much I think that the magic sky being is a silly idea, it doesn’t help to confront believers with it.
January 12th, 2009 on 1:22 am
1,7,8,9,10 ,20,21
XD
January 12th, 2009 on 5:03 pm
Hey Katie, please check your email. I have a proposal for you with regards to my campaign movement at http://atheistbus.ca
Thanks.
January 12th, 2009 on 8:38 pm
I agree that the UK slogan would help this become a universal campaign. At this point i would rather donate than debate. Hopefully enough can be raised that many cities benefit.
January 12th, 2009 on 8:39 pm
I agree that the UK slogan would help this become a universal campaign. At this point i would rather donate than debate. Hopefully enough can be raised that many cities benefit. how do we donate
January 12th, 2009 on 9:06 pm
I don’t think many of these slogans are very good. They’re all too, as it was mentioned above, belittling and condescending and inflamatory. It’s one thing to say that there’s no proof of any god. It’s another to slander religion, which many people hold close to their hearts.
I think the UK slogan would be best. I agree with the idea put forth above that this would help turn it into a universal campaign. It’s a very concise, memorable phrase that gets the message across without being condescending.
January 14th, 2009 on 8:31 am
I say leave it the same as the UK version. It’s already got the impact, the publicity and the fortitude we’re looking for! Why does it have to be different?
“THERE’S PROBABLY NO GOD. NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE”
My two cents
January 14th, 2009 on 11:02 am
Atheism is to belief what democracy is to totalitarism. Think by yourself, be an atheist!
January 14th, 2009 on 1:23 pm
How about;
Religion is History
Science is the Future.
January 15th, 2009 on 10:28 am
I just found out about this this morning. Fantastic!
My picks: 1, 19, 24.
Repeating some of the overseas campaigns is just as good. The British one doesn’t say ‘enjoy your life’, though, but get on with it. Which is far more appropriate, considering that many people realistically don’t enjoy life, believers or not.
I also like the Italian message: Bad news is God doesn’t exist - good news is you don’t need him.
Or the American one: Why believe in God? Just be good for goodness’ sake.
My own suggestion: Feel a need for God? Just do something good.
January 15th, 2009 on 10:41 am
I have to correct my statement above: it seems that the British slogan is indeed about enjoying life. Still prefer getting on with it, more realistic. But there is no point improving on something that’s already working well.
January 16th, 2009 on 6:32 pm
LOL you people are such jokers, there is so many facts that support inteligant design, and ofcoasre this is not against god this is against christianty, try talking that shit about islam you fucking cowards, oh your prolly dont wanna be beheaded for your morally free views? these nations were founded on religous backrounds if you dont like it head to countries that are faithless, like russia or china where slavery is still acceptable, maybe north korea will take you guys in, oh no i wont because free though in an athiest nation is completly illegal, people are shot for free thought anywhere except our so called “bloody” christian nations, bunch of fucking cowards, i dont fear god, is it such a problem to be faithful that you will be more then worm food when you perish? all yoru doing is killing hope for people who already have none, people who dont believe in god already dont, you tryin to persuade them is not free thought, its a coards way why not go door to door like a christian would, or preach at hall you rented? thats right cause your cowards, btw plagurism is a crime and that is not based on any god, get an education you fucking tards
January 16th, 2009 on 6:37 pm
and ofcoarse there is no arguments for our side here, this has no free thought involved at all this is a one sided bashing of faith based peoples everywhere, why isent there any blogs here in support of faith, even if mine comes off a bit harsh i am sure there had to be one honest and heart filled christian who posted here, your communists, with one sided views to escape moral obligations like adultry and murder, does this blog support nambla? if men wanna sleep with boys and it feels “right” where is morals from stoping him or creating laws against it, and if you have your way, what are we just animals in which case only the strong survive, if you havent noticed you woudl loose horribly, people die everyday for thier love of god not for thier hate of it, if we are but another species of animals should we not take what we want when we do, i mean if there is no god to answer to why not do what you want when you want, our laws are based on religon!!!!!!!!, murder adultary theft your right cavemen must have come up with these ideas themselves LMAO animals kill to survive, the weak are killed to make way for the strong, is this the way we shoudl live?
January 16th, 2009 on 6:55 pm
The buses in Genoa say
“The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that you do not need him.”
My suggestion is very similar, There is no God. The good news is that you do not need a god.
January 16th, 2009 on 7:48 pm
I like the “two hands” one ( #24 ), but I think it’s better as “Two hands working can do more than a billion clasped in prayer.”
Or — “Two hands working can do more than an infinite number clapsed in prayer.”
Which reminds me of a Bertrand Russell quotation: “Even if a billion people believe a bad idea, it’s still a bad idea.”
Also — going with the UK slogan does give the movement a universal character.
January 18th, 2009 on 12:29 pm
Some great ideas here. is 29/30 not from Richard dawkins though?
January 18th, 2009 on 2:12 pm
this is so ridiculous
January 18th, 2009 on 9:26 pm
Dear Angelo — All religions are based on dogma, which are their “rules”, that must NOT be questioned. Yes, as you say, some religions will murder you for questioning their dogma. Therefore, religious dogma does not support free thought. Supposedly, the pope is infallible. Is that so? I’m sure when Angelo isn’t so angry, he, too, questions the rationality of dogma.
Dear Mahummed — “What” is so ridiculous? Please elaborate.
January 20th, 2009 on 8:17 am
Another: “Atheists believe in life before death.”
January 22nd, 2009 on 6:06 am
“The Bible is not my book, and Christianity is not my religion. — Abraham Lincoln
January 24th, 2009 on 8:48 pm
I think #17 is the best one: “don’t believe in god? you are not alone.” My secondary votes would be for #21 or #22, or, “If faith made sense you wouldn’t need faith” (it is dynamite!).
January 29th, 2009 on 4:04 pm
“The truth about god is that we don’t know if there is one.”
“If god or the devil is speaking to you, you should see a mental health expert.”
February 5th, 2009 on 1:40 am
[...] current slogan is one of the most innocuous suggested. If the transit authority dislikes it, The Liberal Debutant has a long list of [...]
February 27th, 2009 on 3:33 pm
“The difference between a Christian and an atheist is … nothing - Jesus gave his life for both, the Christian has accepted Him and what he did and acknowledged what no quote you come up with can undo.