Atheist buses?

Originally posted by gouldy

I live in England, we don't have jewish people

oh yeah, ExTraxYz's misguided comment has actually reminded me of a point. Most people in this country aren't religious anyway, and those who are, are muslims anyway. And we all know it's pointless avertising to them, they'll have blown them selves and the bus up before they've had chance to read it.

You see bud, once folks start believing it is about "religion" and not about having a individual "relationship" with God -- they have already missed the boat ... errrrrr, the bus ... in this case. [;)]

Ehh, buses and churches that represent a religion is completely fine IMO, but that particular sign isn't really 'representing' their religion as much as it seems 'forcing' and 'acting' as though equipped with all knowledge. It just seems like this to me: "There is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life."

1) Not all Christians (in fact VERY little) don't enjoy life because of Christianity...
2) It just seems a bit commanding, like listen to us, we're right. If you don't listen you won't enjoy life.

Originally posted by Coasterkidmwm

What I do?

i didn't mean to generalize. but i've witnessed and been around the angsty teen versions of "Atheists" too many times to count.

as for the buses, i'm opposed to any sort of religious/philosophical advertising. if people want to know about it, they'll look into themselves.

They had a good ad like this in the Washington Metro area during the holidays saying, "Why believe in a god? Be good for goodness' sake." I really wish that people wouldn't think about the theological aspect first, because being a better person, religious or not, is what the main focus of the ad should be. Same goes for the one in the UK. People need to stop stressing about everything (especially in cities), because, regardless of whether you're religious or not, there is absolutely no reason to worry too much in life. If you're unhappy with what you're doing, change it.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Originally posted by Z00Z3R
i didn't mean to generalize. but i've witnessed and been around the angsty teen versions of "Atheists" too many times to count.

Were they 13 and had life all figured out?

[gouldy]

Originally posted by GerstlCrazy

2) It just seems a bit commanding, like listen to us, we're right. If you don't listen you won't enjoy life.

and this differs to a street preacher shouting into my ear that if I do not repent I will suffer enternal damnation, how? Hence why I voiced my distain in the first place.

I'm largly in agreeance with SMers comment, it would be really good to see ads on the side of buses promoting just general positive thought and self betterment.

TCon, this is the concept that is lost on me, the whole "relationship with God" type thing. To me, this is me having a personal relationship with my own thoughts, because to me that is all that God is, something that exists in the mind. I experience a loving relationship with friends and family, from which I gain my motivation to keep going in life and hence returning the favour to them. People (like yourself, good sir), tend to say that this is how God works, through these people, or something along those lines, but me.... I really just don't see it. The concept to me just seems like trying to see something that isn't there, in order to make it easier to understand why things work the way they work. And of course, the simplist answer to this is "some mysterious being of untold magnitude created everything and now watches over us". Humans in my opinion tend to like the easy way out and that really is the easy way out.

I can respect that Gouldy -- I really can. Allow me if I may, to expound on your thoughts.

After 5+ years here, I think I have explained this enough to suffice with this simple thought: It is a matter of faith that strengthens my belief that there is someone there; listening and guiding me and speaking to my heart. It is because of my resolved and confessed belief that I draw strength from the unseen, as well as those around me. That is all it really boils down too ... once you accept that He is real and that He did send His Son to die for you.

On the other matter ...

Sure, sometimes evangelists can be a little fanatical, no doubt there. But then again, so was John the Baptist as he shouted at the "religious order" of the day (who were nothing more than self-propogating idiots): "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?" (Matthew 23:33) He was declaring to them boldly because they would not hear it any other way ... simply because for generations they had never followed God but only themselves and their own ideas of what to do. That is well documented, even without the Bible as a reference point (Click here for more info).

At that point in time, John saw that being fanatical was called for, true though --- some people haven't learned yet that their witnessing fire for God can actually have a dimmer switch and be just as effective.

The time I have spent on Bourbon Street (for example) is the best demonstration that I have for this area. I don't need to shout and be a jerk (there are several on the street though who think that they do). I simply talk to people. I get on their boat, listen to their life story, allow myself to be invested in them ... and then they are willing to listen to me. There are enough idiots in this world shouting to do this or that, and so, I choose to go about it another way. Even in my sermons (which I have hundreds recorded) I am in more of a teaching mode -- calm voice -- rather than being an idiot "putting on a show".

But yes Sir bud, that really sums up both spectrums and how I see it. As far as the bus thing ... meh ... if that's how one wants to spend their money, so be it. Personally, I would rather buy a new computer.


TJ

Originally posted by Coasterkidmwm

Originally posted by Z00Z3R
i didn't mean to generalize. but i've witnessed and been around the angsty teen versions of "Atheists" too many times to count.

Were they 13 and had life all figured out?

yes. and dressed in the beautiful textiles of Hot Topic.

Originally posted by gouldy



and this differs to a street preacher shouting into my ear that if I do not repent I will suffer enternal damnation, how? Hence why I voiced my distain in the first place.

they're paying money to do it.

[Coasterkidmwm]

They should donate the money