Stephen Green challenges Atheist Bus adverts: BHA responds

8 January, 2009

The British Humanist Association has responded to the news that Stephen Green, of Christian Voice, has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about the Atheist Bus Campaign adverts running on 800 buses across England, Wales and Scotland that were launched this week.

Stephen Green has challenged the adverts on grounds of ‘truthfulness’ and ‘substantiation’, suggesting that there is not ‘a shred of supporting evidence’ that there is probably no god.

Hanne Stinson, BHA Chief Executive, 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. However, if they do investigate we will be very happy to respond’.

Philosopher and BHA Distinguished Supporter A C Grayling, who published an article yesterday at http://tinyurl.com/a4sx24 on the inclusion of ‘probably’ in the adverts, retorted that there was ample justification for the claim made in the adverts. Journalists wishing to do so can contact him.

Notes

You can read more about the Bus Campaign at www.atheistbus.org.uk and humanists.uk/bus-campaign

For more information and comment contact Hanne Stinson on 020 7079 3583 or 07764 947249