Despite over 300 complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority has, sensibly, decided that the agnostibus (probably) doesn't breach the advertising code. They concluded that the ad was “an expression of the advertiser’s opinion and that the claims in it were not capable of objective substantiation.”
I'm pleased the ad hasn't been censored. But does this mean that the ASA thinks that you can't objectively show that a) there is probably no God and b) belief in God causes you to worry and not enjoy life? If so, then, strangely, that seems to be a victory for theists, rather than atheists.....
Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the bus I laughed as it was obviously a big shot in the foot by the advertisers.
In trying to avoid being censored by the ASA by including the word 'probably' they opened the debate up for theists to put their point of view across.
I think you could count it as a victory for the agnostics in the middle, with the ASA claiming that the existence or non-existence of God is unprovable. Or perhaps they just had the sense not to intervene in a matter which would only lose them respect from one side or the other.
ReplyDeleteChristians run adverts saying 'If God did exist, what would you ask?'
ReplyDeleteTalk about shooting yourself in the foot.
"talk about shooting yourself in the foot"
ReplyDeleteWould that mean the the agnostibus has just wasted it's £150k of advertising?