Atheist Bus Campaign in… Spain! January 15, 2009

Atheist Bus Campaign in… Spain!

By Guest Contributor
January 15, 2009

spanish-bus

Spain doesn’t want to be left out of the Atheist Advertising market. So private funds are being used to put some signs up on buses in Barcelona.

The ads (written in Catalan in the image above) state: “Probablemente Dios no existe. Deja de preocuparte y disfruta la vida” which translates to the London Bus version: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

The sponsors are Spain’s Union of Atheists and Freethinkers.

I’m still waiting for your buses, Canada…

(Thanks to Claudia for the link!)

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  • Stephen P

    There seems to be some minor confusion there, with the text in Spanish but the picture showing a Catalan version. However, we get the message.

  • Sergio Guillen-Pantoja

    The picture is from the buses in Barcelona, where they have the message in Catalan. The buses will get the message in Castilian (Spanish) in Madrid on the 25th (I think).

    Cheers.

  • As a Canadian, Hemant, I say, “Where’s your atheist buses, Americans?”

    I’ve tried advertising on our public transport system but the sled dogs keep chewing the signs off.

  • Cindy
  • weaves

    I would like to know where our Australian ones are!

  • Still disappointed that I haven’t seen one in Edinburgh yet, wanted to give a little whoop of approval. Is there any list of countries who are wishing to emulate the campaign/ Would be good to get a little map on the go…

  • Steven

    I’d like to think that the need for an atheist bus campaign is less urgent in Canada. For the most part, religion (or atheism) seems to be a personal matter – at least in Ontario. Maybe it is our legendary politeness but my impression is that Canadians frown on anyone who is too outspoken about their beliefs. There may a a few ID proponents that have tried to encourage schools to “teach the controversy”, but I’m reasonably sure that evolution is still part of the public education system. I’m not quite sure what goes on in Ontario’s Catholic high schools – a strange carryover from a less multicultural past and clearly unfair to those of other faiths.

  • Grimalkin

    I really want to see some here in Ottawa. Unfortunately, we probably won’t see any for a long time – whether that’s because we don’t really have a proper atheist organization here or because we don’t have public transport anymore: you be the judge!

  • Stayed tuned for Canada! We voted on our slogan last night and it will up and about on Toronto transit, pending TTC approval, very shortly.

  • Am I the only one who thinks that if these showed up in the United States, people would start putting bombs on the buses?

    And am I the only one who thinks that would be an awesome premise for Speed 3?

  • Polly

    Um…that’s not Spanish. But, I get the message.

  • sc0tt

    God is probably bogus, now have a nice day!

  • @Grimalkin: If the strike is still on in the spring (meaning, August) maybe an atheist rickshaw campaign is in order.

    @cheerfulatheist: Superb! I assume you’re involved so congrats and keep up the good work.

    @Steven: I take it you’re fine with books being banned in Burlington, gigantic Christmas displays in Hamilton and the prospect of funding private religious schools being a major election issue.

  • Wendy

    <— Vancouverite, also waiting for atheist bus ads!! That would sure put a smile on my face in the morning. But yes, Steven is right, it’s much less urgent here in Canada. We never really discuss our beliefs in public. Thank FSM!

  • Steven

    Tao Jones wrote:

    “@Steven: I take it you’re fine with books being banned in Burlington, gigantic Christmas displays in Hamilton and the prospect of funding private religious schools being a major election issue.”

    Books being banned in Burlington? I hadn’t heard about that one. Apparently the local Catholic School board has pulled the Golden Compass from the shelves but students can still request it from the librarians. Naturally, I think this is disgusting – though I suspect it will backfire because who doesn’t want to read a “banned” book?
    I don’t mind giant Christmas displays – why would I? Even if taxpayer money is used it will be better spent then many of the other ridiculous programs on which our government wastes our money.
    As I recall, the idea of public funding for multiple religious schools (in addition to the Catholic schools) was political suicide. Even though that would be a fair approach – it is clear discrimination to fund one religion and not any of the others. There shouldn’t be any public funds for religious schools at all. It’s depressing to think of all of those students in the Catholic schools getting their daily dose of indoctrination.

  • Bacopa

    Catalan is the most awsome language ever. A lot of Mexican cussing comes from Catalan. And it’s a close relative to the almost extinct (but rebounding) Occitan, and Romansh

    What sound does the “X” make in Catalan? I’m guessing an “h” or “zh” sound.

    I love it when minority languages make a comeback. They’re teaching Cajun French in parts of Louisiana just a couple hours drive wfrom home. Now if we could just preserve Texas Czech….

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