NZ Bus lose faith in atheist campaign

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Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:46p.m.

It's far from divine intervention but an atheist group wanting to run billboards on the side of buses has struck a serious problem.

Late last year the group raised more than $20,000 to run signs throughout the country saying “There’s probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life”.

It follows a similar campaign run overseas.

The country's largest bus company NZ Bus provisionally agreed to run the billboards but it's now refusing.

NZ Bus has declined to comment on its decision.

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Comments

15 Sep 2010 01:04p.m.

Maree wrote:

Grace - as a former attendee of the New Life Church, I can say attending was fun, but the sad underlying messages were not. I was 'encouraged' to pay tithe on my income for initiatives and expected to believe wholeheartedly in discriminatory ideals against minority groups such as homosexuals. Anyone who wasn't 'saved' was going to hell. In my opinion, evangelical churches such as New Life Church which have full time paid employees are money making shams. Steer clear.

11 Jul 2010 08:10p.m.

Conor wrote:

So much for freedom of speech. The right to be not offended doesn't exist, for obvious reasons

06 Mar 2010 09:33p.m.

Kelly wrote:

How faithful is our God!! That is awesome news!

02 Mar 2010 05:57p.m.

Grace wrote:

Matt, I'm sorry some christians are religious and hypocritical. We're not all like that. Everybody holds different beliefs and opinions about the world and God and everybody has the right to choose what they believe. I don't agree with the athiest bus compain, but I wouldnt label it pathetic. Haha I personally think it should read "There is a God. So stop worrying and enjoy life." Thats my opinion and I'm thankful that I can express it. Do unto others as you would have them do to you, is such an awesome value and just because you dont believe in God doesnt mean you dont have values. PS if you want to enjoy church try a new life church or a pentecostal one thats actually fun :)

24 Feb 2010 10:36p.m.

Matt wrote:

Also, Kathryn, Inciting violence is a good reason to stop freedom of speech, so I agree that some hate group should not be allowed to advertise. But freedom of speech is so important that we should only restrict it if extreme evils like inciting violence are present. Saying "god probably doesn't exist" is nothing like inciting violence.

24 Feb 2010 10:29p.m.

Matt wrote:

Kathryn, According to New Zealand law nzbus do not have the right to have a policy that christians and hindus can advertise, but muslims can not. This is blantant religious discrimination, and discriminating against atheists is no different. Werner, regarding what comments have already been posted here, it seems you know that nzbuses policy is stopping others expressing themselves the way you expect to be able to express yourself, and you are ok with it. Knowingly having a disregard for others and not caring is a choice everyone has, but if you do choose this, at least admit your blantant disregard for others, instead of preaching to others.

24 Feb 2010 09:42p.m.

Werner wrote:

Good on NZ Bus to refuse the atheist CRAP.

24 Feb 2010 03:06p.m.

Daniel Neville wrote:

NZ Bus is acting in a way that is plainly discriminatory and thus illegal. It is simply untrue that have have the right to display what they choose. All commercial services are required to offer their services without regard to race, religion, gender, creed or sexual orientation. I certainly would avoid using buses if the local bus service was indeed a front for some wacky religious cult that threatens children with torture or requires people to symbolically eat the flesh of an undead zombie.

24 Feb 2010 11:00a.m.

sam wrote:

funny i can think of every religion that tries to push ppl to join their religion/church. All this campaign is doing is basically saying athiests have had enough and now we are going to push something in ur face i say good on them the message isnt offensive its a fact, god probably doesnt exist.

24 Feb 2010 10:51a.m.

Kathryn wrote:

NZ Bus have every right to do whatever they want. They aren't a public company. What if a hate campaign had fundraised $20k to put something horrible on the side? Just because it's public donations doens't mean any private company is obligated to run the ad.