Christian bus driver protests ‘no God’ ads
by Jenna Lyle
Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 12:01 (GMT)
A Christian bus driver refused to drive buses carrying advertisement that declare “There’s probably no God”.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Ron Heather said he felt “shock” and “horror” at the slogan on the adverts when he turned up for work last Saturday.
The adverts have been put up by the British Humanist Association on buses across the UK with the support of prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins. They proclaim “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
Mr Heather returned to work on Monday with bus operators, First Bus, who said they would try to ensure he did not have to drive buses carrying the adverts.
Mr Heather told BBC Radio Solent, "I was just about to board and there it was staring me in the face, my first reaction was shock horror.
"I felt that I could not drive that bus, I told my managers and they said they haven't got another one and I thought I better go home, so I did.
"I think it was the starkness of this advert which implied there was no God."
The posters are the atheist answer to a number of high profile Christian advertising campaigns on buses and billboards, notably the Alpha Course, whose posters ask, "Is this it?" and "If God did exist, what would you ask him?".
Christians have generally welcomed the adverts, saying they provide an opportunity to talk about God.
The Methodist Church's Spirituality and Discipleship Officer, the Rev Jenny Ellis, said: "This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life … Christianity is for people who aren't afraid to think about life and meaning.”
The director of Faith-based think tank Theos, Paul Woolley, said the adverts were “hardly going to be a great comfort for those who are concerned about losing their jobs or homes in the recession”.
"And what does it tell us to do when we stop worrying?” he continued. “Volunteer overseas? Give money to charity? Campaign for the environment? No. It tells us to enjoy ourselves. It would be hard to come up with a more self-centred message than this."
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Added: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 17:37 (GMT)
Sorry to get on my high horse about this one, but it concerns me greatly that people are being allowed to opt out of doing their jobs based upon personally held beliefs of any nature. Therefore in response to George, I would politely and respectfully ask him to consider the following question...if a bus driver was a member of the BNP...and had a deeply held and genuine belief that black people and white people should not integrate...would he support that bus driver if he refused to drive a bus because it displayed an advert for say a wedding shop or something similar useing an inter-racial couple as the models.
Or if a deeply christian driver who felt homosexuality was a sin (which they are fully entitled to believe) refused to drive the bus because it advertised a gay nightclub or publication.
To take it to its extreme, to illustrate my point...what about any public servant e.g. fire officer, police officer or paramedic refusing to assist, help or save an individual, just because that individual had a character trait, lifestyle, or opinion that they felt was totally at odds were their deeply held beliefs. Anarchy would reign.
I am not asking you to agree with my point of view...but merely consider where we are going with all of this.
Steve, Blackburn
Added: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 17:27 (GMT)
In response to DCM from Florida....how on earth can a statement which contains the word "probably" be considered "false"...according to my dictionary "probable" means having more evidence for than against.
Therefore when used in the negative i.e. There is probably no god, it would suggest that we have far less evidence (if any at all) for the existence of a supreme being or god.
There are far more rational explanations and evidence to explain the universe in all it's splendour, than there is that a god exists. Produce your evidence of his, her or its existence and then we can debate in a reasonable and adult fashion the "falsehood" of the statement.
s, Blackburn
Added: Sunday, January 25, 2009, 17:23 (GMT)
If the gent believes in something wholeheartedly, thinks it's important to himself and to others then why should he drive around with an advert hoarding prominently displaying beliefs to the contrary?
GEORGE, Newcastle-u-L
Added: Friday, January 23, 2009, 17:24 (GMT)
What would the Muslims say if it had on 'There is probably no Alla' there would be riots in the streets, why do Christians have to be so critisised for standing up to what they believe!
A, West Midlands
Added: Friday, January 23, 2009, 3:06 (GMT)
"Does he in his ignorance think that Muslims do not have a God also?"
Dude, are you serious? They call him Allah, not God.
MC, Gem City
Added: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 18:51 (GMT)
<< If Christianity is a tolerant religion it should welcome dialogue with thinking unbelievers. If, however, it believes mankind has nothing to learn beyond the Bible then....God help us! >>
Actually, it's nonbelievers like Dawkins (who's behind the bus ads) that don't welcome dialogue with thinking *believers*. And of course there's things to learn beyond the Bible; that doesn't make the Bible untrue.
<< If Mr Heather is shocked and horrified by a poster which postulates that there is "probably" no god, then I can only assume he has no faith in his faith. >>
No, he just didn't want to be responsible for driving a false message around.
<< some of us don't need to be told what to do with our lives, even if you do find it reassuring that your faith removes the need for you to think for yourself. >>
No Christian would tell you that faith removes the need for them to think for themselves. On the contrary, it's those like Dawkins (again) that don't want people thinking for themselves if it means they come to opposing conclusions. Plus, people who knock "faith" inevitably fail to see how much of it they exercise themselves. If they'd honestly face how little they *really* know about evolution, for example...
DCM, FL
Added: Monday, January 19, 2009, 11:39 (GMT)
Thank God there are people in the world who are upright in heart. Maybe we can all learn a lesson to admit Christ and not be afraid to say what we believe.
Elaine Bruce, Malta
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 16:42 (GMT)
Another report quoted him as saying "There'd be no way buses would be able to drive around with an anti-Muslim message like that on the side. There would be uproar." Does he in his ignorance think that Muslims do not have a God also?
ryan, worcs
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 2:18 (GMT)
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 14:1-3
Wayne Gomillion, North Carolina, USA
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 2:14 (GMT)
Good for you!!There is a God and he Loves us all!!! More Christians need to stand up for what is right.
Brenda, Ontario,Canada
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 15:08 (GMT)
If Christianity is a tolerant religion it should welcome dialogue with thinking unbelievers. If, however, it believes mankind has nothing to learn beyond the Bible then....God help us!
Richard Jeffertes, Cheltenham, UK
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 15:05 (GMT)
If Mr Heather is shocked and horrified by a poster which postulates that there is "probably" no god, then I can only assume he has no faith in his faith. I am frankly amazed that such a simple advertising campaign by people who hold a different point of view would cause this reaction. I assume Mr Heather does not watch television or read the news or use the internet...there is plenty going on in the world to be shocked and horrified about...this is certainly not one of them...silly man...grow up...do the job you are paid to do. I wonder if his bus has ever had advertising for local solicitors who undertake divorce cases, or companies with less than ethical policies or who use slave labour in the third world to produce their goods.....no complaints about that advertising I am sure.
Accept people may hold a different point of view, and as long as they express it in a lawful, non-discriminatory way and do not seek to impose their views upon you, then they have the right to say it.
Steve, Blackburn
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 12:46 (GMT)
Well Mr Woolley, some of us don't need to be told what to do with our lives, even if you do find it reassuring that your faith removes the need for you to think for yourself.
Dominic, London
