Even Worse Bus Ads: Britain Secularist Society

[alphabassettgrrl]

Originally Posted by David E

when you know that religious people are more likely to be monogamous;

While religious people may value monogamy, which is sanctioned by society and the church, I disagree that they are more likely to actually practice it.

How many married people have affairs? Many. Philandering is an ancient practice, with both men and women having physiological adaptations to guard against their mate's sexual wanderings.

[€uroMeinke]

Well, having lost a child at the 5th month of pregnancy I'm not sure how the existence of God would have made that experience any easier other than having a deity I could be angry with. God works in mysterious ways, so the the godless universe.

[Strangler Lewis]

I wouldn't deny anyone the consolation of religion, philosophy or the rainbow bridge. If it's important to someone to believe that the death of a suffering loved one is good because it means they are in a better place as opposed to simply being free from that suffering, I can't get too upset by that.

That said, if religion is supposed to be humbling, there's something not very humble in believing that the God who works in mysterious ways took a moment out of his busy day to lay a big steaming dump of mystery right in your particular lap.

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by David E

I think this merits a separate thread because it's a different argument against people believing in God. But it is an odd one because I thought the classic secular explanation for man creating God is the opposite: that he needed comfort and meaning in a ruthless world that he did not understand. So wouldn't there be LESS to worry about if a torturer or a murderer who was not punished in this life had to face justice in an afterlife, and the good were likewise rewarded?

There's no contradiction here. Secularists are saying "Okay, we now have a much better understanding of the world than we did back when we invented all these gods. We know better now, so we can chuck that primitive notion and get on with our lives."

[flippyshark]

If in fact there is a theistic god, one who has moral preferences and will be handing out some form of cosmic justice in the hereafter, this being has not bothered to make itself known in uncertain terms. (Mythical stories of Shamash handing the moral law to Hammurabi, Yahweh giving the lowdown to Moses, etc, are fascinating historically, but obviously human in origin, no longer practiced, and incompatible with modern mores.) There is no single divine story that clearly stands out above the others, except where either individuals prefer it, or power structures declare and enforce it - add to that the fact that the vast majority simply take on the god beliefs they were born to. If I find myself in front of a deity after I die, I will join Bertrand Russell in asking, "Why did you hide?"

[flippyshark]

Here is an interview with Richard Dawkins, who supported the UK bus campaign, but has a couple of preferential differences with it. Always interesting reading with RD.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by David E

One example from my own life: My friend from high school had a child named Gabriel, who was born with health problems. In fact, he never left the hospital and died when he was only 6 months old. He cried a lot and probably never laughed. So my question is: do you think my friend can stop worrying and enjoy her life more if there is NO God, or if there is a God?

Disclaimer: I'm going to treat this as a theoretical, not an actual person, so please do not forward my answer here to your friend.

Your friend can stop worrying and enjoy her life more if she comes to terms with the fact that her baby died. A religious person would do so by telling themselves, "God has a plan, everything happens for a reason, my baby is in a happy place now." An atheist would do so by telling themselves, "People die every day, this is no reflection on me, at least my baby isn't suffering anymore." Both paths lead to the same result - coming to terms with a real fact, that the baby is dead.

The lesson I garner from this example is that in most situations, facing facts and then moving on is what is needed. How you get there is your own business.



I would say that this example has nothing to do with the intent of the ads. The ads are trying to say that you should not worry about God's plan, or God's vengeance, or God's requirements. That these things can and will impede upon your ability to enjoy your life.

Through my life experience I have found this to be true. Sure, you can be happy in the concept that someone will eventually iron out all the annoying unfairness in life, but it's a double-sided Sword of Judgement that can be swung your way at any time.

[Not Afraid]

Man Refuses to Drive No God Bus.

[Alex]

I wonder if the employers would be so accommodating if he were refusing to drive buses with advertisements for fast food or a TV show he finds obnoxious.

[Strangler Lewis]

I wasn't aware that any particular anti-viral transsubstantiation occurred during circumcision.