The Atheist Bus Campaign

The Herald reports:

A New Zealand minister has given his support to an atheist campaign asking people to question the existence of God.

Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, vicar of St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland, says NZ Bus’s decision last month to stop the display of paid adverts showing atheistic slogans is regrettable.

“Many in the Christian community welcome a debate about issues of the existence of God and, also, I don’t think there’s anything to be afraid of in that debate,” he said.

The NZ Atheist Bus Campaign has raised nearly $23,000 from public donations for the ads that read: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

Rev Richard Randerson has also said NZ Bus should not have censored the signs.

“Free speech should be the norm, censorship the exception. I don’t see it as a negative thing at all. I think it brings God into public debate.”

He said bus advertising was used to promote a whole range of products from clothing to alcohol.

“How refreshing it is to see advertising that is not asking us to buy anything, aspire to be slim, or sell us a lifestyle we can’t afford.

A good point.

My view is in two parts. The first is that NZ Bus has the absolute right to decline adverts they do not want to display on their property.

The second is that I think they have made the wrong call, and incidentally deprived their shareholders of some revenue for no gain.