Buses to carry atheist ads in Tasmania

[Faithfree]

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/20 ... -news.html

Buses to carry atheist ads

MICHELLE PAINE

August 06, 2009 04:00am

SLOGANS promoting atheism will be seen on Metro buses after a win by the Atheist Foundation of Australia.
The foundation and Metro Tasmania reached a deal after conciliation was ordered in June by the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.

"Atheism -- celebrate reason!" is the slogan that caused the fuss which is now expected to be plastered on Tasmanian buses next year.

"This is a great day for freedom of expression in Tasmania, it is a sign of the times," Atheist Foundation president David Nicholls said.

He said the ads would tie in with the foundation's first atheist convention, to be held in Melbourne in March.

Originally the slogan was touted as "Atheism -- celebrate reason! Sleep in on Sunday mornings", a slogan which has run in the US.

But Mr Nicholls said that was too Christianity-focused.

The negotiations and terms were confidential and Metro did not comment yesterday.

The dispute was first reported in the Mercury in December. Mr Nicholls said at the time he was told the slogan was "too hot to handle".

This was even though buses had carried anti-abortion ads as well as ads for forestry and conservation groups, he said.

Then chief executive officer Tony Sim said Metro had reaffirmed a policy that banned all political or religious advertising or "anything that damages Metro's reputation".

After some earlier hiccups, there will be atheist bus ads in Australia, well in Tasmania at least. :-)

[RPizzle]

I hope they end up better than Iowa.

Iowa got their ads approved then pulled because of public outrage. They even used the softball "Don't Believe in God, You are not alone."

The Iowa governor even called the Atheist ads a travesty.

[Faithfree]

I hope they end up better than Iowa.

Iowa got their ads approved then pulled because of public outrage. They even used the softball "Don't Believe in God, You are not alone."

The Iowa governor even called the Atheist ads a travesty.

Actually, I just followed some links to that and it looks like there is some good news:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... BUSINESS04

[RPizzle]

I hope they end up better than Iowa.

Iowa got their ads approved then pulled because of public outrage. They even used the softball "Don't Believe in God, You are not alone."

The Iowa governor even called the Atheist ads a travesty.

Actually, I just followed some links to that and it looks like there is some good news:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... BUSINESS04

Thank you for this. I figured the ACLU would stare them down.

[Animavore]

I can't wait til they bring them to Ireland.

Believe in God?
Well You're a Feckin' Useless Cunt. Aren't You?

[Rum]

I had to do a double take on this one. I thought the title was ' Buses to carry atheist ads in Tunisia'.!!! ??

[Feck]

In Italy
"First they were deemed too offensive. But a slogan change means that Genoa, Italy will be seeing an atheist bus ads next month!

Just on one bus, though.

The old (supposedly offensive) slogan was: “The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that you do not need him.”

The new one reads: “The Good News Is There Are Millions of Atheists In Italy; The Excellent News Is They Believe In Freedom Of Expression.” "

[Faithfree]

In Italy
"First they were deemed too offensive. But a slogan change means that Genoa, Italy will be seeing an atheist bus ads next month!

Just on one bus, though.

The old (supposedly offensive) slogan was: “The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that you do not need him.”

The new one reads: “The Good News Is There Are Millions of Atheists In Italy; The Excellent News Is They Believe In Freedom Of Expression.” "

Good one!

[irreligionist]

Tasmania to lead the way... who'd a thunk it