"Why Believe in God" ad campaign

[Morrigoon]

Yes, but I don't think you can reach out and transform the faithful just by telling them religion is bad.

I admit I'm really uncomfortable with the way this campaign is totally dismissive of faith. Being good for goodness' sake is great, and should be promoted. But the part that is dismissive of believing in God, well, it doesn't sit well with me.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Yes, but I don't think you can reach out and transform the faithful just by telling them religion is bad.

Again, they never claimed that as a goal.

And they didn't dismiss anything, they asked a question.

[flippyshark]

I like the text that was used for the British version of this campaign:

"There's probably no god, now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

I'm quite happy that my own personal minority is getting publicity and positive attention.

[lashbear]

God's seen this campaign, and She's disgusted.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Again, they never claimed that as a goal.

And they didn't dismiss anything, they asked a question.

Further, they are hoping to make some like minded people feel a little less alienated during the holidays.

I am usually pretty polite about religion and I usually say all the right PC things. "No, I don't believe in God, but I respect your belief in God." "I am not religious, but I admire ritual and tradition."

At the end of the day, though, I don't believe in God. And it's dismissive to think, "People believe in God because that's what they need to believe." But, yeah, that's pretty much what I think most days.

And I have plenty of intelligent, good friends who do believe in God. Some even believe in Jesus. I have one friend - a very witty writer - who doesn't believe in evolution. And I do respect my friends. And I do respect their traditions. But there has to be at least some part of me that thinks their wrong in order to know I'm right. Heh. I don't feel God's presence. I see no evidence of a god's or gods' existence other than the life they were given through stories. And for me, the power of myth *is* very powerful.

But, again, at the end of the day, I think it's myth and some think it's real. And a part of me, as respectful and mindful of my friends as I want to be, I do shake my head a little at them. And, they, in turn, shake their heads at me. I'm okay being in the wrong if I am in the wrong. Doesn't need to be real for me.

So, there's a little close mindedness in all things, I suppose. And I think all the sexy humans are trying to do here is interject a little bit of their own belief system into the holiday season. Hurrah, I say!

[Kevy Baby]

Jesus died for my sins. I am making every effort to ensure that his death was not in vain.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Jesus died for my sins. I am making every effort to ensure that his death was not in vain.

Hee. And, for the record, I fvcking love Christmas!

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

Hee. And, for the record, I fvcking love Christmas!

A wonderful Pagan holiday known as Yule (and other names, depending on which mythology you prefer).

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

And a part of me, as respectful and mindful of my friends as I want to be, I do shake my head a little at them. And, they, in turn, shake their heads at me.

This is kind of why I love being agnostic. Or, well, spiritually undefined. I get to shake my head at people who spend time shaking their heads at each other, because I really have no firm assumption either way. Is there a god? Possibly. Is there no god? Possibly. Do I feel the need to define anything? Really, not so much.

And, thanks, man, for posting this in the daily grind, which is not visible to non-members. I'm still a closeted agnostic in some circles.

[flippyshark]

I was a closeted atheist/ hard agnostic/ non-theist (whatever) for a very long time, and I look forward to a day when that fact carries no stigma at all. It ought to matter as little as ones preference for Coke vs. Pepsi. (Come to think of it, some people get pretty het up about that one as well.)