Advertising Campaign Encourages Atheists To Come Out In The Open

January 6, 2009 11:04 p.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - British atheist campaigner and book author Richard Dawkins launched on Tuesday a $204,000 multi-media advertising campaign designed to encourage more nonbelievers to come out in the open.

The national campaign includes posters on bus sides and the tube and screen broadcasts in central London with the slogan "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." About 200 buses in London and 600 buses that travel across England, Scotland and Wales will bear the slogan Tuesday and Wednesday.

At the same time 1,000 advertisements on London Underground will carry quotes from known writers and thinkers who do not believe in the existence of God.

The formal launch was held near Albert memorial where Dawkins, who wrote "The God Delusion" spoke. Other speakers were Arian Sherine, the creator of the Atheist Bus Campaign, and Hanne Stinton from the British Humanist Association.

Sherine said the campaign goes beyond U.K. since on the same day buses that travel across Barcelona, Spain will carry the same message. Atheists organizations in Italy and the U.S. plan to launch similar campaigns also. A similar attempt was made by the Atheist Foundation of Australia, but it was thumbed down by the country's largest outdoor advertising firm.

Rather than be rankled by the campaign, theology think tank Theos said the campaign is a good way for people to take another look at their belief in a God. Theos said, quoted by Guardian Unlimited, "The posters will encourage people to consider the most important question we will ever face in our lives. The slogan itself is a great discussion starter."