Atheist Bus Ads - Our Response?
“There probably is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
That’s the message that’ll be posted on two buses in Kelowna for the next month, starting April 11th. It’s a campaign that began in London and has landed in Canada, funded by individuals intent on pushing back on the “fundamentalist crazies”. The ads will also run in Kamloops and Victoria.
The person behind our local ads is Bill Ligertwood of the Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought, who raised the more than $2,000 for the ads’ production and advertising fees. Here’s what he says: “There are lots of signs promoting God, so this is pushback,” he said. “The religious message shouldn’t be imposed on us.”
He listed a number of political reasons why he is opposed to religion, including his claim that there is a lack of access to abortion in Kelowna and a lack of women’s rights and he said he fears “fundamentalist born-again Christians” taking over the federal government.
How should we as Christians respond? A couple thoughts:
First, I think this is a good thing. I’m excited about the dialogue this will open! People will be talking about God, and any conversation about God is better than no conversation about God. My prayer is that people will ask me what I think, and it will open up an opportunity to share why I have placed my faith in God through Jesus. I love that!
Second, this gives us a chance to live out 1 Peter 3:14-16 “Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
What I love about that passage is the call to be prepared to share when the opportunity comes, when someone asks. Second, I love that we are to speak of the Christian hope, not of judgment or condemnation of those who see things differently. Third, the how, with gentleness and respect. We are to conduct ourselves in such a way that people will look at our lives and be drawn to Christ!
My third thought is that this should push us to ask ourselves, why do we believe in God? I have posted some papers from my Masters studies that should be helpful in this area, and you can find them here.
We also have a series of messages entitled “The God Questions”, including lectures from Paul Chamberlain, and they are online here:
There is one summary paper that is my perspective on Incarnational Apologetics, putting flesh and blood to the study of people’s challenges to the faith. You can find that here.
I like the response Christians came up with when a similar campaign ran in the U.K. They took out their own bus ads that read: “There definitely is a God. So join the Christian party and enjoy your life.” Amen!
At the end of the day, what is going to win the day is not the best arguments, but the best love. For that is what Christ called us to. He said we are to be known for our love, and that is as powerful a testimony to a living God as anything.
Love to get your feedback on these ads, join the conversation by commenting below!
Happy April!
Pastor Mike Penninga
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Comments
he's just not too positive there isn't. There's hope yet for folks like him.
Good work Mike. Hi to Michelle :o)
I appreciate your input on that. I read it all and i to am excited what this will bring in conversations. Sad to think so many people are being led to believe that there is no God.Thanks for sharing it all.
I love the Pastor's approach to the issue. My first thought reading his comments was "He get's it!" and I'm happy that everyone is on board with Pastor Mike. It's all about opening that dialogue, just like he says.
Atheists, secularists, agnostics, we are a highly diverse group with as many outlooks and opinions as we have members. Bill feels the need to push back, and that is what the bus ad is for him. For myself, the bus ads are a way to reach isolated atheists that are craving a sense of community as I was for most of my life.
I was going to write a book on here but there is a character limit (wise choice), I'll make one more post after this one with an invitation on it, but in the mean time, my email is bprettie.3dart
How many of you even know an atheist? Why not ask me what I DO believe in, instead of lamenting that I don't believe as you do? I'm not a monster or a tool of the devil; I'm not 'lost' or in need of redemption. I'm just a frail and fallible Human, trying my best to live my life well.
The CFI Okanagan has a facebook page, where we post current events, upcoming activities, and have discussions. I have invited other Christians to pop in and say hello before, but always with the warning that we are a mix, like any other group. Some of us enjoy the chance to have a talk, others will verbally attack you in their own style of argument. So here is an invitation, but it is into the lions den.
The facebook group is located here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=383064872640
If you decide that you have thick skin and an open mind, please drop in and say hello.
I pray that this does inspire actual conversations. Too often this type of thing can turn into a big contest of who can be the loudest talker and the worst listener.
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