Officials at the Advertising Standards Authority are now considering whether to tackle the question that has taxed the minds of the world's greatest thinkers for centuries.It has recorded 48 complaints since Tuesday when buses first hit the streets emblazoned with the message: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." At least 40 more people were understood to have made objections by last night.Most of those who have contacted the ASA consider the adverts offensive and say they break guidelines on taste and decency.However Stephen Green, the Christian campaigner who led the protests against the BBC's broadcast of Jerry Springer - The Opera, is claiming they should be taken down because the statement in the adverts cannot be substantiated.He said: "If you're going to put out what appears to be a factual statement then you have to be able to back it up. They've got to substantiate this proposition that in all probability, God doesn't exist."The ASA is now considering whether to investigate his complaint, which could lead to it reaching a deep ontological conclusion about a supreme being.
Officials at the Advertising Standards Authority are now considering whether to tackle the question that has taxed the minds of the world's greatest thinkers for centuries.
It has recorded 48 complaints since Tuesday when buses first hit the streets emblazoned with the message: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." At least 40 more people were understood to have made objections by last night.
Most of those who have contacted the ASA consider the adverts offensive and say they break guidelines on taste and decency.
However Stephen Green, the Christian campaigner who led the protests against the BBC's broadcast of Jerry Springer - The Opera, is claiming they should be taken down because the statement in the adverts cannot be substantiated.
He said: "If you're going to put out what appears to be a factual statement then you have to be able to back it up. They've got to substantiate this proposition that in all probability, God doesn't exist."
The ASA is now considering whether to investigate his complaint, which could lead to it reaching a deep ontological conclusion about a supreme being.
"One thing i can't stand is a mess."
"Dead?. No excuse for laying off work."
"Evil.. turned out.. hum hum... rather well."
"I am the Supreme Being, i'm not entirely dim." "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
I think you can make a good case that it's more likely there's no God than it is that Carlsberg is the best lager in the world.
A frankly undrinkable beer. Fai de bèn a Bertrand, te lou rendra en cagant
SInce when does "probably" mean "in all probability"?
What could happen here is that these ads could be taken down with the consequence that no ads implying the existence of God could go up either. Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
Also, once the precendent is establishes that an ad is pulled because metaphysical claims cannot be substantiated, it becomes easier to challenge future ads. Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
...
The 'it offends my sensibilities' claim is more effective. However, this is an organisation uttering its viewpoint, not a company trying to sell some product off the back of controversy slash offended sensibilities. Probably their freedom of no religion / freedom of speech will weigh heavier.
