There's probably no god.

[lismir]

Atheists rue 'Act of God'
by Grant Scott - Story: 61859
May 5, 2011 / 12:30 pm

Their inquiring minds want to know, but so far, the Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFI) can't find the answer.

The group claims something strange has happened to their notoriously controversial bus ads, reading 'There's probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life'.



Photo: Kelly Hayes
The two bus ads purchased by the Centre for Inquiry have vanished.
CFI purchased the advertising space for one month, and the contract still has two weeks left.

"We were told on Tuesday by Lamar Transit Advertising that they had been discovered to be not on the buses in the bus yard," says Jamie Williams, Executive Director of CFI Vancouver. "Apparently it looked like they had been professionally removed, they hadn't just been ripped down."

So far, he hasn't been able to find out why.

Williams claims he called Kelowna Transit and was told they didn't know why it happened and referred him to service provider First Canada ULC.

Bus service in Kelowna is provided by First Canada ULC under a contract with B.C. Transit. The Crown corporation uses contractors to operate 80 of the 81 transit systems it oversees, with Victoria the lone exception.

"Apparently they have people working there all hours of the night, so it would be extremely difficult for someone to slip in there, take off the signs and get out un-noticed. The whole thing is quite puzzling," says Williams.

CFI hopes to replace the ads before the "Imagine No Religion"conference they are sponsoring in Kamloops this weekend, but that appears unlikely.

Williams says he was told by Lamar Advertising that his group would have to pay for new signs. "They said 'We will reprint them for you at your cost and install them for the rest of the time,' but I'm not sure we should be liable for the removal of the ads in this way."

Ironically, the advertising company can argue to invoke an "Act of God" clause in the contract to avoid paying for the reprints.

"There is a clause in our contract that says they're not liable in case of natural disaster and riots," says Williams. "They claim we have a special clause in our contract that says they're exempt from any extra liability because of the controversial nature of the ads."

It's a claim Williams disputes .

"I've looked over our contract and there's nothing at all like that in there."

CFI has run this campaign in other Canadian cities and the ads have also run in other countries through different organizations.

While there has been controversy and some vandalism, Williams says to his knowledge they have never just disappeared before.

"I think some of the people involved have some questions to answer for how this could have happened from a secure bus depot under the eye of a number of workers supposedly." says Williams.

Phone calls by Castanet to both Kelowna Transit and Lamar Transit Advertising were not returned.

"There's probably no god. Now stop worrying about it and enjoy your life."

I'd love to see this message on buses.

[Veovis]

My question would be whether Churches could put Bible quotes or "Come to Church because God loves you" on the busses

If they can't put pro God messages than anti God messages shouldn't be allowed either.

Couldn't Christians find public messages like this a form of hate crime?

Just not sure if public transit is really the right forum to use. A good one certainly, but appropriate?


The next question is, did they change the signs out hoping the clients that paid for them wouldn't notice? Does this perhaps happen more often with many of the sold ads than people know. IF you stopped each 3 month contract 2 weeks early thats an extra few contracts you can put up in a year.

[Mr Danksworth]

My question would be whether Churches could put Bible quotes or "Come to Church because God loves you" on the busses

If they can't put pro God messages than anti God messages shouldn't be allowed either.

Yes they can and do. The playing field is equal. Well not really. The religious don't have to jump through the bureaucratic hoops that the CFI had to.

Couldn't Christians find public messages like this a form of hate crime?

As much as they would like it to be, no.

Just not sure if public transit is really the right forum to use. A good one certainly, but appropriate?

It's a free world. The advert was paid for, and they are entitled to free speech. Where would you rather see it, what would be more 'appropriate"?

The next question is, did they change the signs out hoping the clients that paid for them wouldn't notice? Does this perhaps happen more often with many of the sold ads than people know. IF you stopped each 3 month contract 2 weeks early thats an extra few contracts you can put up in a year.

No, someone was so incensed at the thought that 'atheists' might be voicing their opinion that they had to steal the signs to keep the word from spreading. It's a straight up violation of the right to free speech.

[Gixxer]

it would be great if satan worshipers jumped on the advertising religion band wagon

[Veovis]

Just not sure if public transit is really the right forum to use. A good one certainly, but appropriate?

It's a free world. The advert was paid for, and they are entitled to free speech. Where would you rather see it, what would be more 'appropriate"?

I guess I was just thinking that it PUBLIC transport, not really different than if City Hall had signs out front to the same effect, but your point is true, advertising space is ad space and he who pays gets it. As long as the field is fair, fine enough, though no matter my faith (or lack of) I don't really think trying to cram it down others throats on a city bus will work, or really be appropriate. Thats just my opinion though.

The fact that they said that it looked to be professionally removed made me wonder the other route was all. IF you were just a vandal that is that good, why not just change them all to dog and see who notices that.

[rookie314]

Maybe God did it.

[Snarf]

Maybe they should pray for the signs to reappear...

[Mr Danksworth]

Maybe First Canada ULC should pay to get them replaced. They went missing while on their secured lot, they are responsible for them. It's not like they got vandalized while driving on a route.

[StraitTalk]

You know what, I recently saw an Advert Sign on the side of Benvoulin near the traffic circle that said something like "There is god. So stop worrying and enjoy life." and I was thinking to myself, somebody could rearrange a couple letters and make, well, this, and it would make a hell of a lot more sense. Not that all are, but many religious people are major hypocrites. This is proof of that.

[goalie]

What's the point of these ads? get a rise out of people? You're gonna *bleep* off a few grannies (and some younger people who remove the ads apparently) thousands of bucks wasted. yipee
Should try this in Pakistan or something. Now that would get a 'rise' out of people.

[camdd]

I'm hoping someone at the transit service pursues this to find out who is responsible, but really this is a simple case of a paying customer not being given what he paid for - a contract breach. The Transit company must be held to account and must now ensure that the ads are displayed for the agreed upon number of days or refund the money - anything less speaks of a lack of integrity.

To all who found the ads offensive, look in the mirror and ask youself if you really want to place your faith in an idea that can not tolerate open minded scrutiny.

[Danielle_Nicole]

I personally find it refreshing that these ads were in Kelowna at all - I usually find our city fairly close minded and behind the times on certain issues. I only wish I would have seen the ads in person! I fail to understand how the ads themselves could possibly be viewed as a "hate crime" when my home mailbox is often bombarded with religious material that I have no interest in.
The only crime here is that Lamar Transit Advertising and Kelowna Transit are dropping the ball when it comes to security and responsibility.
I hope the media garners enough negative feedback and coverage to make these companies reconsider their stance. I highly doubt anything like this would have happened if it had been a biblical message on the buses instead. Perhaps it is because Atheists aren't as threatened by opposing viewpoints......

Let the hate mail begin

[Mr Danksworth]

What's the point of these ads? get a rise out of people? You're gonna *bleep* off a few grannies (and some younger people who remove the ads apparently) thousands of bucks wasted. yipee
Should try this in Pakistan or something. Now that would get a 'rise' out of people.

I disagree. The ads are there to remind other non believers, and those who are on the fence about the whole 'god' thing, that there are others like them here. Maybe give them a sense of community. They aren't there to 'deconvert' anyone. No harm, no foul. Too bad such a simple message can make people act so stupidly. One good thing that has come out of this is that it has shown the true christian hypocrisy that turns people away from their belief system in the first place. Their actions are better than any sign on a bus. I thank them for that.

[phasyluck]

Who is god....anybody have a copy of his signature to share?

[mxtaylor]

you would have to look through the other fairytales perhaps