Probably? Where’s the Atheist Spirit Gone?
Stuff have reported that atheists in NZ are trying to raise $10,000 to bring this advertising campaign to NZ. If the British campaign is anything to go by, they should not have too many problems in raising the required funds.
However, should they have any issues, they might want to talk to other religions, that is those who are Theists… and of course, so much more, as we have some great examples of raising funds!
Here is how they describe it…
The campaign was launched here yesterday. New Zealand Atheist Bus Campaign spokesman Simon Fisher said it would provoke discussion on religion and take away the stigma of atheism.
“It’s okay to say you don’t believe in God,” he said. “We like the slogan. It works, it’s catchy, it’s not perfect, it’s a slogan, but it roughly encapsulates what we want to say.”
“Will take away the stigma of atheism?”
Well, such would assume that people will actually understand what they are discussing! Has the post-modern moment even got the Atheists? Is this not just an “agnostic” rip-off? Do A-Theists… that is “No Theists” really believe their proposal?
Now, before a man will get too many disbelieving fish, Fisher’s (no intent here) words that it’s not perfect, it’s a slogan, but it roughly encapsulates what we want to say, probably indicates this, but that is so pragmatic for the true believer!
After all, Bereshith Bara Elohim affirms, In the Beginning God… there really is no “probably” about it for the Bible-believing Christian!
Before there is too much venting of spleens by the kool-aid drinkers, CN.NZ does want to affirm that it is pleased to see another example of where religion is once again talked about in the public square, and we agree with Fisher’s “good” sentiments that it will provoke discussion on religion!
Christians of NZ, if such be your crime of ignorance, this reality should be celebrated, redeemed, and used for Soli Deo Gloria! If you truly believe you have the truth, then there is nothing to fear.
Put your WWJD bracelets back on, re-apply the fake tattoos, put on your stepping out gear and walk on!
To read more about this go HERE, or visit their WEBSITE where more details about this campaign can be found!
If you are anything from an A-to-a-Theist, and you want to think through things or engage with a Christian context in NZ, try these sites… MandM, Beretta Blog, Thinking Matters, Manawatu-Christian Apologetics, or from another land, Apologetics315.
Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud!
Man of Spin
Thanks for the link, Man of Spin.
Hey Brian,
My pleasure! Great site!
Every Christian blogger or bloggee should take a visit to Apologetics315… daring all other bloggers to follow suit!
[...] posted here: Probably? Where's the Atheist Spirit Gone? : Christian News New … advertising, are-trying, britain, britain-stuff, has-upset, have-reported, religious-groups, [...]
“Probably no God” is antithetical to the original (and accurate) definition of “atheism” which is a: without/no and theos: God.
No rational person would claim that they have the powers of omniscience required to know or flatly assert ‘there is no God’. (since omnicence is an exclusive attribute of deity in any case)
This is why they needed to (baselessly) redefine “atheism” to mean lacking belief in God/s ..which is tantamount to claiming agnosticism.
(Perhaps pride is the issue for some since agnosticism’s core meaning is to be an ‘ignoramus’,)
I just saw the interview on TV1 for the “probably no God” representative who basically confirmed (if not directly admitting) that he takes his position by faith and cannot know whether God exists or not.
i.e. an agnostic worldview.
Simon Fisher ,a fisher of men,of free thinkers.oh the irony
[...] Read the rest here: Probably? Where#39;s the Atheist Spirit Gone? : bChristian News/b New b…/b [...]
For the record “probably” has to be used in the UK under ad law and the NZ lot are using the same slogan. They can’t say there’s not god because they would breach standards. It’s like saying bear a is better than bear b you just cant do it.
People can beleave what they like. But are bound by law to make religion happy.
Happy Solstice people.
I have not heard of the religions’ “bear a” and bear b” that the law sounds bound to make happy. These do sound a little unbearable!
Remember, Jesus is the Reason for this time in our cultural season!
Happy Yom Yeshua!
Man of Spin,
When it comes to advertising law you can’t say something is better than something else without enough proof to back in court, hence the word probably.
If a church decided to run an ad they could not say something like “Christ is better than Buddha” because in the eyes of ad law there is no proof either way and if someone complained the advert would be removed.
Its like saying TVNZ is better than TV3; there is now way of knowing.
Unfortunately belief shown in public is being bent by governments more and more. Atheists can believe what they want. Why do we seem to care so much? we have our faith and they have theirs.
Chad,
I was not questioning the veracity of your statements in any way, but was merely having some fun with the two examples that you used that were referenced by “bear a” and “bear b”!
Why do we care?
The Great Commission?!
Chad, you wrote: “Atheists can believe what they want. Why do we seem to care so much? we have our faith and they have theirs.”
The first sentence is true.
The second is a question that asks: “why do (believers) care?” I’m not a beleiver, but my guess is that the so called new atheists, and also the counter appologists, enjoy bombarding believers with reality, some of which is so devastating that it makes beleivers into unbeleivers.
Your final sentence is a false analogy: You have “faith” in the existence of God because there is no evidence for his existence. Atheists do not practice faith. They have listened to the claims of religion about the existence of God, assessed the evidence that the like of William Lane Craig have put forward, they have read the books, and they have found the claims to be ridiculous. It’s not faith that drives atheists, its rationality, critical thinking, and reason.
To rely on “faith” is, it seems to me, to be by definition: irrational, unreasonable and unaware of critical thinking
John,
Pa-lease, stop drinking the kool-aid like a true believer!
If you would like to engage on an irenic level, and deal honestly with the opposing arguments, then please engage. One of the key components in academia is to present an opposing position in such a manner that best represents what they hold!
What are you trying to achieve? Convert the Christians?
This is not the place to throw out your sloganeering!
Some here are claiming that using the word “probably” is weak, as if atheists are making a positive claim for the non existence of God. This is no more true than trying to define other religions based on what they don’t believe. An atheist isn’t “anti-theist” – although they do exist. An atheist simply finds no compelling evidence to base a belief of God on.
We can’t say for certain that no god exists; especially since the term is so wide ranging (are we talking about a specific God? If so which one?) However, as there is no positive evidence for a god; that is specific objective evidence that everyone has access to – not ‘warm fuzzy feelings’, I don’t feel obligated to believe in one.
And to be honest, if the god of the bible were to prove his existence beyond all doubt, and confirm he was the god of the bible he would be the last entity I would worship. I mean, have you read about what that bloodthirsty, egotistical, homicidal, megalomaniac of a entity did in the bible? Readily admits that the small of burning flesh pleases him. Commands the killing of innocents. Wipes out the population of earth. Brings plagues. Try to total up all the evil that satan is responsible for and compare it to god. Thank god god doesn’t exist.
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