In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Pattison Maritimes (the group responsible for transit advertising) has a problem with the bus ad Humanist Canada wanted to purchase.
The general manager sent this message to the group:
… We are not able to accept your message as it currently reads.
If you would like to submit an alternative message, we will submit that for approval.
…
All advertisements must meet acceptable community standards of good taste, quality and appearance. Furthermore, the ads will not be considered discriminatory, or objectionable to any race creed or moral standard.
Man… this must be pretty bad.
The only other places where the atheist ads were banned were the Vatican and Australia.
What does the atheist ad say that’s so unacceptable?
You can be good without God
That’s it.
That’s what was banned.
The transit authority added that they would reconsider their position only if Humanist Canada “toned down its message.”
I don’t know how much more toned down it could get.
I think all that’s left is putting up ads that simply say “atheist.”
Somehow, I don’t think that ad would make it through the filter, either…
(Meanwhile, in London, these counter-atheist-ads are going up across the city.)
I suppose this means Pattison Maritimes will be banning ads that feature meat products (can’t offend vegetarians) or politicians (can’t offend the other party) or Valentine’s Day products (can’t offend single people).
(Thanks to Justin for the link!)