Whilst riding the TTC bus today, I saw an ad for something called “Bus Stop Bible Studies”. It consisted of a Bible passage and a “thought provoking” question designed to promote reader introspection.
Although I’m an atheist, I understand that some people have a need for religion in their lives and have no problem with that as long as there is no proselytizing. The ad did not offend me by its presence but I began to wonder what public reaction would be if there was a similar ad displaying quotes from the Quran. Would Christian riders be offended that they were exposed to this on their daily journey? Would they feel threatened? Logical thought would suggest that they wouldn’t be. But if there is one thing I’ve learned about the religiously devout - sometimes faith defies logic.
So in this age of religious intolerance and hypersensitivity, I’m curious what you, my loyal readers (you are out there, aren’t you?) think on the matter.
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2 comments:
My feeling is that religion should be kept inside the church. If you want some Catholic, for instance, you go to a Catholic church. If you want a bit of Jewish, you go to a Synagogue, etc.
I am also an atheist, and think that organized religion is an excuse to incite intolerance and hatred. I can't say for a fact that most of the wars throughout history, and even today, are due to religion, but it sure feels that way. So, to sum up, I don't like to be preached at on my way to work. I, too, feel that everyone has a right to worship however they please, or not, but it should be a choice. Having said that, if it someone is truly offended by it, they can ignore it, but I think that some may be so upset as to resort to vandalism. Even though I don't believe in organized religion, I think that it may go a long way towards bringing people together if, along side those Christian bible thoughts, they advertised passages from other religions. They could devote a whole bus to religion!
Hi,
I am always intrigued by peoples comments as I Google to see what people are saying about Bus Stop Bible Studies.
I too used to be an atheist but then found a need to explain meaning for my life. I just couldn't accept that my being was a result of random chance.
I went looking for God (earnestly) and no one was more surprised than I when I found Him.
Most atheists comments seem to be extreme, so I was pleasantly surprised by your, and Brenda's, rational arguments.
I have seen comments on an Islamic website suggesting they do something similar and actually had a request from a B'hai individual. No, I would not be offended by Quran studies so long as their messages, like ours, are not designed to be offensive or critical. We all have the same rights of Freedom of Expression.
I read on a recent e-mail that "No one has the right not to be offended." I hope you're not.
you can read public responses on our website. www.busstopbiblestudies.com
David Harrison, President
Bus Stop Bible Studies
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