‘No God’ ads attract Government attention

The British Humanist Association’s bus side campaign that declares ‘there’s probably no God’ has gained attention from MP’s who have called on the Government to ban it.

The controversial campaign has reportedly angered religious groups by running the posters on the Tube and 800 buses throughout Britain.

Labour MPs Jim Dobbin and David Drew, Independent Bob Spink and Democratic Unionist Gregory Campbell have tabled two Commons motions attacking the "religiously offensive and morally unhelpful advertisements".

The Government is expected to leave a decision to the Advertising Standards Authority, which has received a formal complaint from the Christian Voice group.

In two days of the campaign breaking, advertising watchdog to received more than 150 complaints about the atheist message, ‘There is probably no God. Now so stop worrying and enjoy your life.’

The complaints said that the ads were offensive to Christians and other religions that believe in a single God.

Christian Voice complained that the campaign breaks the advertising code on the grounds of substantiation and truthfulness. However, some atheist might argue to the contrary.

The BHA says it pities the ASA as “they are going to be expected to rule on the probability of god's existence. However, if they do investigate we will be very happy to respond".

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Ed 15-Jan-09 09.09	I'm at a loss to see how anyone can complain about this ad! I don't think not agreeing with something is any sort of a reason to complain about it, and what MPs are doing getting involved, I have no idea. Surely they have better things to worry about? ...sigh.
mjam 15-Jan-09 14.01	Surely if the ASA ban this ad then all Religious Ads should be banned? How should posters outside Churches claiming "Jesus Lives" be treated in light of these arguments? After all, the claim against the ad is focused on the opionion/ belief it represents and religion is the ultimate form of belief. In the spirit of equality, all advertisers regardless of orientation should be treated equal.

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