Campaign Officially Launches: Donations Needed!
April 14th, 2009
Bloomington, IN. (April 14, 2009)--The Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign has formed in Bloomington to spread the word: “You can be good without God.”
Through advertising on buses across Indiana, the Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign has partnered with the American Humanist Association in hopes of promoting a lively and respectful discussion in our community and to counter the stigma against voicing atheist views.
The campaign is currently in the fundraising phase, with an aim of raising $50,000. Enough money has already been raised to purchase ads in one city, but to meet the campaign’s goal of spreading its message in many cities across Indiana, more will be needed.
The campaign has also launched with a short video, which can be seen at http://INatheistbus.org. The website also features information about atheism, and quotes from famous supporters of the idea that people can be good without god or religion.
“If you look at the numbers, about 15% of the population of the US are non-religious,” Charlie Sitzes, a member of the campaign, says. That amounts to an estimated 46 million people in 2008, a number that has been growing over the past two decades.
The Indiana campaign is modeled after the Atheist Bus Campaign, which began in London with ads on buses bearing the message, “There’s probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Similar ad campaigns have since sprung up in in cities around the world, including in Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Croatia, and Australia. The Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign is the first group to promote atheist bus ads in the heart of the Bible belt.
“Many closeted atheists need a voice,” says member Caroline Klein. “For me, this campaign tells them that they’re not alone, that it’s okay to be an atheist.”
The campaign needs your donation! Please support us by clicking the Donate button on the right side of the page.
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38 Comments Add your own
1. bh | April 14th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
sweetness
2. Simon Gardner (UK) | April 15th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Very good news to hear. Do I understand you are funded enough to go?
3. Warren Beare | April 15th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Delighted to see this happening in Indiana, I live in Sacramento and would love to see this happen here also.
4. Miranda Hale | April 15th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Congratulations! Very good news indeed.
5. Wantok | April 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
We are funded enough now to get up a bus ad. But our goal is to do entire bus wraps for a year in multiple cities in Indiana. So empty your pockets; send us your credit cards; break the piggy bank! (Speaking of which, we usually can do stock transfers for those of you wanting a break on your taxes. Just inquire.)
6. Josh Evolve | April 15th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
This is great!! I know it was only a matter of time before this hit the states. Im from Atlanta Ga, hopefully we will see this on busses on our streets soon!!!
Good Job, Keep it up!!
7. PoliticallyConcerned | April 15th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Awesome!! I’m forwarding this to all my friends!
I’m really glad to see something like tihs happening in Indiana.
8. Sami O | April 15th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Try to get some going up here in West Lafayette around Purdue. Some people who might be willing to help can be found in the Non-Theists Society: http://www.purduenontheists.com/
9. Joe4Christ | April 16th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I really hope that this campaign doesn’t succeed, especially here in Bloomington. Your slogan is horribly offensive to me and I hope that I never EVER have to step foot on a bus that has that filth plastered on the side of it.
10. Joe4Christ | April 16th, 2009 at 1:11 am
So I thought about what I said in my last post. I decided to pray on it. And guess what…..it worked! I said God if you are out there then prevent me from posting this comment. The rest is history.
11. Brian | April 16th, 2009 at 2:23 am
I was born and raised in Indy, Sheridan. This is the greatest thing to happen in Indiana, since the building of the Universities. Maybe the enlightenment and honest understanding will finally take hold. Can I hope that religious bigotry, segregation, and isolationism could be gone in my lifetime? I think this may open some eyes and some minds. Great!
12. Johannes | April 16th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Hi,
even as a religious person (protestant), I must say, that this is a very good idea. I have read and heard about the so called fundamentalist Christians in the so called “Bible belt” and I must say, that I never in my whole life have I seen such unhealthy an contradictory practising of christian faith here in Germany, where I live. What are those “Christians” afraid of? Why are they so agressive towards – what they call – non-believers? Shouldn’t the faith in god, the knowledge, you are on the right side, that an eternal, forgiving and allmighty being loves you, provide you with some sort of calm, friendly, balanced grandess? Why so nervous?
I know, that my faith works well for me. I have a need for religiosity in my life. I have tried the atheists-way and It didn’t work out for me… but I respect everyone, who can live in “such a world” an be happy…
So … I hope this whole campaign leeds to an athmosphere of respect and equality … after all, you shouldn’t be protesting for such a basic right in a modern society build on demorcatic values…
13. Wantok | April 16th, 2009 at 7:27 am
The last period in our world’s history has put atheists and nonbelievers generally on the defensive, giving rise, for instance, to the often heard “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” It has also perverted the notion of “freedom of religion” to somehow mean that one can’t/shouldn’t say anything that questions religion’s role, morals or assumptions. I hope this campaign is a part of ending that, not only allowing nonbelievers to step out, but for actual debate and discussion to go on about the morality and politics of the principal religions in the world.
14. Joe4Christ (the real one) | April 16th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I’d like to point out that the second post with my name was not actually me. It’s stuff like this that shows me that you people really are missing God’s love in your lives. I mean, come on, you have to resort to imitation and mockery almost immediately? This demonstrates the complete lack of strength of your “You can be good without God” argument.
15. JDB | April 16th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Just donated. Good luck! I really hope this works out and I look forward to seeing a bus or two in Indy with the message on it
16. NotJoe | April 16th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
‘You can be good without God.’
‘Your slogan is horribly offensive to me and I hope that I never EVER have to step foot on a bus that has that filth plastered on the side of it.’
When you have your wife’s love, your childrens love, that of your neighbors, friends, collegues and many more, who needs the love of a non-existing god ?
So face it Joe: even you can be good without ‘God’.
17. Sarah | April 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
This makes me so happy! The message (You can be good without god) is perfect for Indiana. The first step here is acceptance of those of us who live without a god. Payday is next Friday, expect a donation then!
18. Tony | April 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Thank you! Gonna donate soon. Hoosiers need this.
19. Dr. Clos | April 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I’m curious why a Christian would be offended by the idea that people can be nice without accepting the idea that god had us kill Him so that He could forgive us for His own faulty design. I would also like to point out that it is good to be offended. Free speech is about hearing things or reading things that may run counter to what you agree with. For instance, I am offended by the idea that someone who accepts vicarious atonement as moral and a god who punishes children for their great-grandparents’ sin has the gumption to object to a positive campaign…one that finally acknowledges that religion hasn’t cornered the market on morality.
Thanks for your work, Indiana atheists!!
20. Barbara | April 17th, 2009 at 12:16 am
This is a beautiful message. It is simple and good and right, and you are to be praised for your efforts. I can’t understand how any reasonable person could think that this is filth or trash; I can understand how “There’s probably no God” could offend people, but this isn’t that.
By the way, I’m submitting you guys to Reddit.
21. Ivan A. D'Mocracy | April 17th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Good-on-ya mates. Salutations and congratulations from Canada. And best hopes that everyone finally becomes evidence-based rather than faith-based. The world would be a better place.
22. nathan | April 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
1) I find many atheists to be as annoying and loud as evangelicals. Different beliefs, same argument.
2) There is more than one religion in this world that has the concept of “God” or “gods”. Let’s not leave our Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim brethren out of this!
3) Surprised this is in Indiana….would have expected Massachusetts or Oregon first.
23. Tim | April 17th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Wonderful! Hope to see some in Pennsylvania eventually!
24. Christian | April 18th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
If there is no absolute truth, and if there is no God, then how do you define what is “good”? Relative to what? You would have no basis to say someone else’s “good” is your “bad”. If everyone does what is “good” by their own definition then there is chaos and everyone is offended. Even if the collective agrees on what “good” means, it is only temporary until the collective decides “good” means something else. It’s interesting how either way you slice it, there is the desire in all of us to want an Absolute Truth–it all depends who’s the authority: you or God.
To really know God’s Truth, you need to understand what the Bible says, not what a priest says, not what what someone else is doing (whether they are a bad example of a Christian or not). The Bible is basis for God’s Truth, and reading it is the beginning of wisdom.
It is your right to be an atheist, but that is such a far cry from what this country was founded on. Read this book:
The 5000 Year Leap (amazon.com)
25. Simon Gardner (UK) | April 19th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
To: ‘nathan | April 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pm’
Disbelief is not any kind of a “belief”. Never has been; never will be.
And I’m heartened to hear ‘Wantok | April 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pm’ that you are actually getting one bus going. Hopefully this will be enough to really start the ball rolling. Good work!
London (England) was a picture with buses being spotted all over the place.
Atheist bus • Canadian Atheist bus • Atheist buses in Barcelona, Madrid & Malaga • Bus Kampagne, Germany • Bus humaniste (français), Québec, Canada • Campagna Bus, Italy • Dutch Atheist bus campaign • Finland Atheist bus • Seattle atheist bus • Indiana atheist bus • Washington DC atheist bus • Atheist trains Ireland • Atheist trams in Zagreb, Slovenia banned • Atheist Bus Madison, Wisconsin, USA
26. Chad | April 19th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
For instance, I am offended by the idea that someone who accepts vicarious atonement as moral and a god who punishes children for their great-grandparents’ sin…
That’s because you’ve not read, or don’t understand, the New Testament. If you would, you would see that God isn’t angry with the grandparents (or you) any longer and doesn’t punish us in this life for our sins. What Jesus did on the Cross was to usher in God’s new covenant with man– an agreement that God’s wrath was to be poured out on Jesus (willingly) in our place, and He would no longer hold our sins against us. I’d recommend a book called “The Cross of Christ” by John R W Stott to really understand this concept.
That being said, there is coming a day of judgment where you will be held accountable for your sins and you will be judged according to your works. And since your works can’t save you, if you haven’t accepted Jesus’ free gift of pardon, you will stand before God guilty of sin and condemned. “For it is by grace that you have been saved, and not by works…”
Pick up the New Testament and give the Gospels a read. If it’s not real, so be it, no harm done. If it is (and I think you know deep in your heart it is), you will be given the greatest gift of all — forgiveness.
27. Annonymoose | April 19th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
” Joe4Christ | April 16th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I really hope that this campaign doesn’t succeed, especially here in Bloomington. Your slogan is horribly offensive to me and I hope that I never EVER have to step foot on a bus that has that filth plastered on the side of it.”
I am extremely pleased that you are so offended by this. It means you have taken your head out of your book long enough to notice what’s going on around you, that being: not everyone on the planet shares your belief system. It also pleases me, because as an immoral atheist, you offend me.
“Joe4Christ (the real one) | April 16th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I’d like to point out that the second post with my name was not actually me. It’s stuff like this that shows me that you people really are missing God’s love in your lives. I mean, come on, you have to resort to imitation and mockery almost immediately? This demonstrates the complete lack of strength of your “You can be good without God” argument.”
Well, I myself might be a bad example, or rather, a good example of what you dislike, being a crude atheist and all, but not all atheists do things like this, just as not all christians are shining examples of their faith like you are. You get the good and bad in everything, religion or lack there of, and the sooner people start realising this (on all sides) the sooner I can quit posting in defense of my lack-of-belief system.
“Christian | April 18th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
If there is no absolute truth, and if there is no God, then how do you define what is “good”? Relative to what? You would have no basis to say someone else’s “good” is your “bad”. If everyone does what is “good” by their own definition then there is chaos and everyone is offended.”
I tend to define “good” as either what falls in line with the laws in the area I reside, or failing that as I may not know all the laws or a set of laws in unfamiliar territory, does it make my heart ache to do it? Would I want someone to do it to me or to someone I love? Whoa, that sounds strangely like the golden rule! But no no, I couldn’t possibly know or even admit I know what that is, heathen that I am. And many people have no concept of good, be it theirs or not. But you don’t need a book or a god or nothing at all to be skewed. Part of the human experience, and personal responsibility, is learning and accepting, comparing yourself to others, growth, change. People can be offended with or without the good book.
“Even if the collective agrees on what “good” means, it is only temporary until the collective decides “good” means something else. It’s interesting how either way you slice it, there is the desire in all of us to want an Absolute Truth–it all depends who’s the authority: you or God.”
So, what shall we base our laws on? Some are based on the bible. Some have come about to serve the will of society, ensuring that no one person is discriminated against. I don’t see this as bad. And sometimes, things change. New evidence forces us to change, personal and societal growth forces us to change. Should we keep everything archaic, simply to satisfy religious belief? You are correct. Most of us want an absolute truth, but some of us don’t think the answers to life have to come from a book written 2000 years ago. And, need I point out, people of faith are changing their opinions, their concept of good, just as everyone else does?
“To really know God’s Truth, you need to understand what the Bible says, not what a priest says, not what what someone else is doing (whether they are a bad example of a Christian or not). The Bible is basis for God’s Truth, and reading it is the beginning of wisdom.”
You also have to understand, that’s like asking many of us to read Peter Rabbit, or any other child’s book, and believe whole heartedly that it is undeniably true. And much of what the bible says is open to debate…it requires years of study, in and of itself, and of the period in which it was written. It is easily taken to mean many different things due to language barriers. And let us not forget, it has been rewritten many times, translated and re-translated, certain books aren’t included on the whim of whomever. And, even if I’m reading the same version as you, there will be things in there that you will have thrown out as being too old fashioned, not in keeping with the times, and those things will differ from my choices, and your neighbors, and so on. (that whole change thing, see above) So, even if I can interpret the bible, which parts should I believe? The parts that I want? The parts you tell me to? The parts that are arbitrarily considered as relevant?
“It is your right to be an atheist, but that is such a far cry from what this country was founded on.”
This country was founded with the belief that a person shouldn’t be pigeonholed into anything, including religion. What are you saying, it’s okay for atheists to exist as long as we shut up and stick to the corner? Chances are, the version of faith that you subscribe to is vastly different than the faith they had while discovering this continent.
28. ron powell | April 21st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Great. I am delighted to see this going here in Bloomington. I just sent a contribution and will certainly do my part to make this happen.
29. urbanelysium | April 21st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
so can we all sign the outside of the bus?
30. diogeron | April 21st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Annonymoose:
Since you recommend reading the New Testament, what do you think of this line and its implications for those of us who are not Christians?
‘Bring here those who hated me and did not want me to be their king and kill them in front of me.’ Luke 19:27
31. Indiana Atheist Bus Campa… | April 21st, 2009 at 11:19 pm
[...] http://inatheistbus.org/2009/04/14/campaign-officially-launches/ [...]
32. Nicole | April 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hooray! I’m an atheist here in Bloomington and so happy to hear I’m not alone.
33. Dawgonitt | April 23rd, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Burn Baby Burn.
I here people want Ice Water where you all are going.
34. Mikko | April 24th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Hello from Sweden!
35. Mary | April 26th, 2009 at 6:48 am
You all should be ashamed of yourself!
It’s not enough that you all are confused,but you also teach this
to your children.
When you stand before GOD for this I hope he has mercy on
your soul…GOD BLESS YOU
36. Tommy | May 1st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Wow! I live in Evansville and never would have thought something like this campaign in Indiana. Thank you so much!!! A world without god, is a world with the Twin Towers still standing!!!!
37. heyjude1971 | May 8th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
This is great! And here in the midwest! Woo Hoo! There may be hope for Reason after all.
38. Morgan | May 11th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Thank you for pointing out that religions do not have a monopoly on morals and that people who don’t believe are also people too. I hope this all works out!
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