Video of the Fort Worth Transit Authority Banning Religious/Atheist-Leaning Ads

This makes me angry.

If I recall correctly, the “God” that is spoken of in the constitution isn’t the Christian God.

What is up with this?

Well, it would seem that Mr Cary is about 90, and still going strong, good luck teaching the old dog new tricks.

He is into real estate, Cary, Reby – Cary’s Real Estate
(817) 457-0713

And you can reach the board of directors at tboard@the-t.com Which means his email is probably rcary@the-t.com or some other such permutation or first name last name.

One would think that a black man who grew up through the 30’s would have a much higher understanding of equality for all. After all it was predominantly the southern christian “god fearing folk” that enjoyed a good lynching.

The mental acrobatics of theists is an amazing thing to see.

Not to be a party pooper, but I think we should respectfully leave Mr. Cary alone. What can be gained from berating some old guy who’s fixed in his beliefs, regardless of how delusional they are? Do you think he’ll “see the light”? It just seems vindictive to pick on this one guy for the misconceptions of an entire demographic of people…

The T is in the bidness of Transportation. What the fuck is all of the other shit about?

Interesting that the first two speakers are given 4 1/2 and 4 minutes respectively to speak but the third speaker from the freethought group is given only 3 minutes and the woman with the buzzer allows it to continue to beep and comes up to him to cut him off.

Here’s a detailed synopsis.

1. Bishop Billy George, True Light Baptist Church: the board should change its policy because the “Good without God” advertisements make Fort Worth look bad right before the Super Bowl and dishonor firefighters and police. Bishop George compared himself to a great American, Ronald Reagan, saying to Mikhail Gorbachev, “Tear down this wall.” (No, I don’t understand that, either.) Ran out of time but was permitted by the chair to finish his remarks beyond the allotted time for public comment.

2. Rev. Julius L. Jackson, Jr. of the Macedonia Baptist Church: the board already does not accept advertisements for pornography, alcohol, or tobacco products, or political ads, so a ban on religious advertisements is the same thing. Also, at 6:34, objects to his tax dollars supporting a message contrary to his personal beliefs. As a good Christian, he could not stay silent while these ads were on the buses. Finished timely.

3. Alix Jules, Fellowship of Freethought and DFWCOR: nonbelievers ARE good without God and the ad says nothing bad about Christians or other believers. 20% of Texans do not believe in God and we should not be marginalized. Ran out of time before finishing, and was not allowed to complete his remarks.

4. Robert A. Parmlee, Chairman, FWTA: Board will decide the issue in executive (non-public) session. The Board voted to adopt the no religious advertisement policy. The Board’s counsel and its President (who would be the full-time, professional manager of the “T”) read the new policy to the public. I thought it interesting that beer and wine ads are okay but other alcohol ads are not. The critical language is a ban on “…theist, anti-theist, faith-based and/or religious and anti-religious messages, witchcraft, voodoo, cult, or other spiritual or anti-spiritual promotional, regardless of viewpoint, defamatory messages, hate speech, and/or language whose message targets or bashes individuals or specific groups, and all political ads.”

5. Jeffrey L. Ritter, Board Member: if we allow one, we have to allow them all. The new policy will stop “this problem” once and for all.

6. Reby Cary, Board member: Groups change our values in this country. They are attacking our background. We said the pledge of allegiance, which contains the line one nation under God. We should have a prayer before the meeting but we are scared to because it might offend someone. Our money refers to God. God is the fundamental basis of this country whether you like it or not. This country was founded on a relationship with God, whether you like it or not. God is referred to in patriotic songs.

7. Gary Havener, Secretary: I don’t like the ads because they create divisiveness and controversy in the community. I also don’t like that people bother our employees while we’re trying to provide a public service. I want to put the controversy aside.

Then the policy was put to a vote and passed with only “aye” votes. There was no roll call.

Question for the readership here: the new policy bans “anti-theist”, “anti-religious”, and “anti-spiritual” advertising content. Is an advertisement that says “Millions Of Americans Are Good Without God” “anti-theist,” “anti-religious,” or “anti-spiritual”?

(commenting as listening)

That first guy’s a pastor? The way he mumbles? I can barely understand him. That’s probably a good thing.

Hey, no fair, giving him extra time!

Bad image! The idiot! He’s the one giving them the bad image!

Ronald Reagan? Now he’s just kissing white ass and throwing whitie a bone. (Well, I’m sorry but he is.)

What wall? Is he meaning he wants to tear down the wall of separation?

At least the second guy can speak clearly.

“I do not want to see my tax dollars paying for a message contrary to my own personal beliefs.” Shit, dude, now you know how I feel every time I’ve boarded a bus for the last 35 years of my life and got smacked with Christian prostelyzing in my face. Think he’ll remember this at the polls? No, me either. And I don’t particularly feel sorry for him getting a dose of his own medicine. I hope it’s opened his eyes a bit.

“As a Christian, we couldn’t just not say something.” Ah, yeah, but how do you react when the Atheist says something because they just can’t sit by against an injustice?

Alix is very well spoken and impressive. Go, Alix!

Turn on the moderator’s mike. I can’t even hear him. What’d he say?

Good they turned on Mr. Parmlee’s mike.

So heartedly agreeing with Mr. Ritter! Exactly. (He speaks right before Mr. Carey.)

Mr. Carey is a moron who is also pointing out exactly why we should restore the Pledge to its orignal version without the under god that was inserted during McCarthyism and off the GD money. No, you idiot, it was not founded on religion, it was founded on religious freedom.

lol, did you see the pained look on the face of the dude next to him when he picked up the song lyrics and started reading them? Dude looks like he was thinking, oh, God either shut him up or get me out of here, please.

That was Mr. Havener who is being impressive and well spoken given his turn to speak. While he didn’t like the ad and called it divisive, I think despite that amen someone interjected, he was somewhat calling out the ministers actually when he talked about strong arming. I liked what he said about just wanting to do their jobs and provide transportation. Christ, I’m tearing up over that. I wish to hell the local bus company felt that way about what they do.

(end of tape)

I actually think we rather triumphed here. They can take the signs to another venue and while it came about for the wrong reason, I’m glad no religious signs are going to be allowed on the buses.

The ministers just looked like the haters they are and Alix came off as very broad-minded because, frankly, that’s what each of them displayed.

It’s a win overall, people. I’m glad CoR put the signs up. I have called and complained (in other cities) about religious ads on the bus and been mocked by people who suspected I didn’t have the money with why don’t you buy your own ad in a sneering, contemptuous tone. I think this was a triumph. Those ministers shot themselves in the foot and did more harm to the religious community than they did us.

I really, really hope other cities seeing this mess follow the no religous ads mandate.

Now off to read all the comments before mine.

The tax dollars come in because cities and/or counties often subsidize the buses though I don’t know if that’s the case here. If not for that, the ads would cost far more and bus fares would be beyond the means of the poor who ride them but it makes them a gray area between public and private property.

Got to say, I’ve always considered them public because of that and it did piss me off to have them preaching at me. In my mind, it’s the same as having a manger at Town Hall.

Question for the readership here: the new policy bans “anti-theist”, “anti-religious”, and “anti-spiritual” advertising content. Is an advertisement that says “Millions Of Americans Are Good Without God” “anti-theist,” “anti-religious,” or “anti-spiritual”?

The T’s lawyers will probably realize this mistake and adjust the language accordingly. If not, CoR shouldn’t take advantage but move it to a billboard or something. Look better than them instead of snarky. Right now CoR looks much better and should run with that.

We really did win here — if we take the high road and continue to act classier.

If they made an ad that said “Millions of Americans are good for goodness’ sake”, would that violate the policy?

Question for the readership here: the new policy bans “anti-theist”, “anti-religious”, and “anti-spiritual” advertising content. Is an advertisement that says “Millions Of Americans Are Good Without God” “anti-theist,” “anti-religious,” or “anti-spiritual”?

I wondered this too. I think the ads can be considered in the religious category because they mention “God.” However, if it were reworded like Carlie said, I don’t think that falls into that category.

They did say political ads were banned also, so maybe these types of ads would be lumped in that category if there isn’t enough support for it to be considered “anti-religious”

The christian ministers apparently realize that “in the market place of ideas”, their silly superstitions/religions can NOT compete side-by-side with reality.

Thus, when it comes to thoughts/ideas, theists can not compete in an “open market” and thus they must shut it down. How PATHETIC they are.

Thus, their only hope was to CENSOR the entire conversation.

It would be like back when Coca-Cola was by far the TOP cola, if they were to stop the advertisement of ALL soda pop (even their own). For a while, they would maintain their base without their base constituents being exposed to options like Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, etc. BUT in the long-run, they lose out by losing one means of advertising.

My summary: it is sad that censorship wins in this venue. But… AWESOME job getting this much publicity for just $2,400!!! WOW!

The theists are SO insecure that just a 4 little posters on buses have the majority religions scurrying like ‘chicken littles’ and then they’re giving up their own rights to advertise.

If these ads keep rolling out in various cities, playing out like they have been, it’s an overall WIN by taking religions off their pedestals. Criticizing or competing with religions is NO longer taboo. The SPELL is being BROKEN.

The critical language is a ban on “…theist, anti-theist, faith-based and/or religious and anti-religious messages, witchcraft, voodoo, cult, or other spiritual or anti-spiritual promotional, regardless of viewpoint, defamatory messages, hate speech, and/or language whose message targets or bashes individuals or specific groups, and all political ads.”

So does this mean SyFy can’t advertise for Ghost Hunters now? If so I applaud this and laugh at the wording of this.

I just typed that quip above on a whim, then my brain started clicking.

Could we, through an effort like this, get Fort Worth to place a ban on all naturapathic medicine?

“Millions live pain free without a Chiropractor”

“Millions fix their allergies without acupuncture”

“Millions get healthy without Reiki”

Wouldn’t it be great to see a ban on all nonsense in Fort Worth!

Question for the readership here: the new policy bans “anti-theist”, “anti-religious”, and “anti-spiritual” advertising content. Is an advertisement that says “Millions Of Americans Are Good Without God” “anti-theist,” “anti-religious,” or “anti-spiritual”?

I agree that nothing in the CoR message falls under those limitations. They could make a case that the ads should remain. However, I do agree that “Millions are good for goodness sake” would remove any argument and force the issue further.

If the ads were still deemed inappropriate, then the problem would be the messenger and not the message. So then the question becomes “what about christian groups that don’t mention God in their advertising?” Would the Salvation Army be allowed to advertise? How about the YMCA? Various Christian charities like Christian Children’s Fund or World Vision?

If I say, “millions of steaks are good without steak sauce” does that make me anti-steak sauce and if so does that make me against people who use steak sauce as well?