There is definetely a god - apparently

[fatshaft]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7818980.stm

'No God' campaign draws complaint


An atheist campaign claiming "There's probably no God" has been reported to the advertising regulator.

Posters with the slogan appear on 800 buses in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as on the London Underground.

But organisation Christian Voice has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority saying they break rules on substantiation and truthfulness.

The British Humanist Association, which backed the campaign, said it was not taking the complaint seriously.




The ASA's code states "marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims". The regulator said it would assess the complaint and decide whether to contact the advertiser.



The adverts contain the slogan: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

But Stephen Green, national director of Christian Voice, said: "There is plenty of evidence for God, from people's personal experience, to the complexity, interdependence, beauty and design of the natural world.

"But there is scant evidence on the other side, so I think the advertisers are really going to struggle to show their claim is not an exaggeration or inaccurate, as the ASA code puts it."

The campaign was dreamed up by comedy writer Ariane Sherine and was supported by scientist and vocal atheist Richard Dawkins.

Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said: "I've sought advice from some of our key people here, but I'm afraid all I've got out of them so far is peals of laughter.

"I am sure that Stephen Green really does think there is a great deal of evidence for a God (though presumably only the one that he believes in), but I pity the ASA if they are going to be expected to rule on the probability of God's existence."

I'd love to see him have to prove the existence of god, just as he says it's impossible to claim there isn't one. Bloody idiot.

[superjohnmcginlay]

Does the word "probably" not get around this?

Like Carlsberg?

[Prufrock]

That's just brought genuine tears of laughter to my eyes. Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking anyone's right to faith, but they are claiming that it is the BHA who has no proof HAHAHA. 'There is plenty of proof for god'.....BRILLIANT!!! This proof being some bloke reckons he's talked to him. Well i haven't, so does that count as proof he doesnt?!

Funniest thing i have read in a while, and SURELY only going to make his particular group a laughing stock?

[Worthy4England]

Fatshaft in re-canted news about "no God" shocker?

I think the bit you haven't highlighted is what's intrinsic to the story as it's where the balance of probability lies. The advertiser will I suspect struggle to prove with documentary evidence that there is no God.

"The ASA's code states "marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims". The regulator said it would assess the complaint and decide whether to contact the advertiser."

Conversley, it should raise the question around advertising that there is a God that Mr Green should then provide the documentary evidence - that would prove possibly more interesting...

[Hoboh]

Father Cristmas?

Easter bunnys?

Tooth Fairys?

2 footed visonary creative midfielders?

[Worthy4England]

Father Cristmas?

Easter bunnys?

Tooth Fairys?

2 footed visonary creative midfielders?

My son will attest to the the top three - after all two of them have just paid him a visit and the other one will be due shortly - what could be clearer than that they exist - the fact that I'm all of them is merely coincidence?

The bottom one I think would be much more difficult - he's fallen asleep on his two previous visits to the Reebok - V West Brom this season and pre-season friendly last....

[Hoboh]

Father Cristmas?

Easter bunnys?

Tooth Fairys?

2 footed visonary creative midfielders?

My son will attest to the the top three - after all two of them have just paid him a visit and the other one will be due shortly - what could be clearer than that they exist - the fact that I'm all of them is merely coincidence?

The bottom one I think would be much more difficult - he's fallen asleep on his two previous visits to the Reebok - V West Brom this season and pre-season friendly last....

Worthy in "Pink Tutu" scandel

[TANGODANCER]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

[seanworth]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

I think your biased.

[Verbal]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

I think your biased.

[Raven]

Shirley if this is not allowed what about all those posters, messages about god saving us etc outside churches? Once again shows the tolerance of religious people!

[William the White]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

LOL. Not like you aren't assaulted by the absurd fairy tale on a very regular basis, is it? Especially at winter solstice time. Weeks of nauseating 'songs' in supermarkets, streets, mass media. and preachers galore. Keep him in churches and we atheists can get on with ignoring him.

[InsaneApache]

The Flying Spagetti Monster definatley exists. All hail his noodleyness.

[TANGODANCER]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

LOL. Not like you aren't assaulted by the absurd fairy tale on a very regular basis, is it? Especially at winter solstice time. Weeks of nauseating 'songs' in supermarkets, streets, mass media. and preachers galore. Keep him in churches and we atheists can get on with ignoring him.

In ( almost) the words of your hero: "Methinks thou doth protest too much". Not believing in God is more convenient than convicted. Bet Jesus was a secret cigarette smoker too.

[William the White]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

LOL. Not like you aren't assaulted by the absurd fairy tale on a very regular basis, is it? Especially at winter solstice time. Weeks of nauseating 'songs' in supermarkets, streets, mass media. and preachers galore. Keep him in churches and we atheists can get on with ignoring him.

In ( almost) the words of your hero: "Methinks thou doth protest too much". Not believing in God is more convenient than convicted. Bet Jesus was a secret cigarette smoker too.

Looking forward to Howard Jacobson's programme on Jesus the Jew (Sunday, C4, 7pm). Excellent preview piece in today's 'guardian'. I've not had a cigarette for five years, four months and eight days. Not that it's bothering me, like.

[Hoboh]

For people who don't believe in God, you sure spend a lot of time talking about him. One dismissal should be enough if you're that confident.

LOL. Not like you aren't assaulted by the absurd fairy tale on a very regular basis, is it? Especially at winter solstice time. Weeks of nauseating 'songs' in supermarkets, streets, mass media. and preachers galore. Keep him in churches and we atheists can get on with ignoring him.

In ( almost) the words of your hero: "Methinks thou doth protest too much". Not believing in God is more convenient than convicted. Bet Jesus was a secret cigarette smoker too.

Looking forward to Howard Jacobson's programme on Jesus the Jew (Sunday, C4, 7pm). Excellent preview piece in today's 'guardian'. I've not had a cigarette for five years, four months and eight days. Not that it's bothering me, like.[/quote]

[Montreal Wanderer]

This really is rather bizarre. Even if the ASA succeeds in defining God to everyone's satisfaction (a clear impossibility), there is plenty of documentary evidence on both sides of the question - even if there is no proof for either. There is certainly no specific God that the majority of humanity believe in, therefore on the balance of probability, there is no specific God. Thus "probably" might well work in this situation. I have often seen the slogan "Jesus saves" posted around without any conditional qualifier - this would clearly be a greater breach of the ASA rules.. But what a storm in a teacup! Let people who believe believe and advertize their belief if they wish - and the same for non-believers.

[Worthy4England]

This really is rather bizarre. Even if the ASA succeeds in defining God to everyone's satisfaction (a clear impossibility), there is plenty of documentary evidence on both sides of the question - even if there is no proof for either. There is certainly no specific God that the majority of humanity believe in, therefore on the balance of probability, there is no specific God. Thus "probably" might well work in this situation. I have often seen the slogan "Jesus saves" posted around without any conditional qualifier - this would clearly be a greater breach of the ASA rules.. But what a storm in a teacup! Let people who believe believe and advertize their belief if they wish - and the same for non-believers.

The thing about "Jesus saves" though, is that it's probably true. I'm sure many people in times of despair have turned to the aforementioned and changed a course of action. Whether Jesus was this person born in Bethlehem and crucified on Mount Calvary is surely only one part of the story? that probably isn't majorly relevant to the person "saved" unless they happen to be a person of Faith. I'm sure those that are would attest to it being the person the Bible refers to and those that aren't might attest to it being "some other being" and some after the immediacy of the event had passed would probably put it down to their own good common sense...

[TANGODANCER]

I'm consistently feeling ostracised from society. A Catholic pensioner who believes in God, smokes and supports Bolton Wanderers? We should be classed as protected species.

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

Only one thing to say on the subject:

Thank fxck Commie's banned!!!!!