Man refuses to drive 'No God' bus

Originally posted by TheRedneck
Yes, I do. And I would bet money if you were honest, you would admit to doing the same.

How much you got?

Tell you what, get you a CDL and go out over the road for a few years, then come back and talk to me about that subject.

Does being a commercial delivery driver in Central London and southern England for 4 1/2 years count?

Originally posted by seabisquit
There is no difference between that man refusing to drive that bus and Rosa Parks refusing to sit in the back of the bus.

There is a difference. It was his job to drive the bus, it wasn't Rosa Parks' job to sit in the bus.

It's all very admirable someone standing up for his beliefs but frankly disciplinary procedures should be pursued. If then it is proven the driver was right then fine, otherwise there are plenty of other people prepared to do his job.

If it was a London bus I'd be happy to never see the back of it again. No-one should drive around the capital when I'm working!

I guess this means an atheist can refuse to drive the myriad buses that advertise various London churches.

This guy is possibly a bigger idiot than me.

reply to post by Nirgal


"I guess this means an atheist can refuse to drive the myriad buses that advertise various London churches. "

No.

They admit they don't have a soul and so are in no danger of eternal hellfire and torture where your guts are ripped out by satan and you are boiled in the Lake of fire etc.... for all eternity.

Originally posted by machinegun_go_go
Liquid Mirage,

I do acknowledge his viewpoint. I just think it's wrong for him to not work because of the slogan.

It's wrong.

And thanks for the personal attack about my IQ. Much appreciated.

What is an artichoke, anyway?

:-)

Its his choice. Whats wrong with that?

What if he quit because it said there probably is a god? Would that be wrong? Of course not.

He has the right to work wherever he wants for any reason he wants, as long as he is qualified for the job.

Originally posted by Nammu
I work for a large internet-based company. Recently we had advertising on the site for Huntingdon Life Sciences, who experiment on animals. I'm very much against animal testing.

Do i have the right to walk out and refuse to do my job because of this?

And to Enigma Publius, the poster above who said "I mean you have to remember: this man's RELIGION, his "Holy word of God" tells him that if he denies God on Earth, then he will be denied his God in Heaven."

Sorry, but how is this HIM denying God???? I would've thought maybe his faith was a bit stronger than that? If it's not, and he truely thinks him driving a bus with this slogan somehow means that HE no longer believes in God, then perhaps he should be changing (or dumping) religion all together?

The truth is, Christians have a right to put their message across. So therefore athiests also have a right to put their message across. I've been walking past churches all my life with slogans like 'Jesus dies for your sins', 'Only the church can save you' and my favourite 'What if Jesus was right?'. The other side of the story exists, so what's the problem with slogans showing the other side? I always though one that said 'What if Jesus was wrong?' would be pretty funny and get a few people riled up.

Do you have the right to not work for a company that advertises a company that tests animals?

Yes you do.

Does that company have the right to fire you?

Yes they do.

I'm not christian, but I was raised Catholic. While I disagree with his religious views, he has every right to refuse to drive the bus. Just as an Atheist has every right not to swear on the bible.

I think you guys are putting too much into this. The guy thinks he will go to hell for it. OK DUDE. WHATEVER. IT'S YOUR CHOICE.

Originally posted by machinegun_go_go
Liquid Mirage,

I do acknowledge his viewpoint. I just think it's wrong for him to not work because of the slogan.

It's wrong.

And thanks for the personal attack about my IQ. Much appreciated.

What is an artichoke, anyway?

:-)

No, what's wrong is that it's so ridiculous and awful for people to impose their religious beliefs on others, but it's completely fine for atheists to pose their beliefs on people.

No one in America gets shortchanged more than the white Christian. You can't say a bad thing about Islam or you think all Muslims are terrorists. You can't say a bad thing about Jews or you're an anti-Semite. It's perfectly okay to rip on Christians, though.

I've watched kids with much lower GPA's, lower SAT scores and fewer activities get bigger scholarships than me to the same school because they are black. I've seen people get free money from the government for school because they're a minority. I don't get a single dime in financial aid from the government and get less scholarship money to my school than people with SAT scores 200 points lower than mine because I'm a white kid.

The white Christian gets the least help from anyone, and if they complain about it, they're an intolerant racist. Screw those atheist creeps for trying to push their agenda on others. I'm sure those hypocritical losers would be the first people to point the finger if someone tried to get them to become religious. I've never met an atheist that wasn't a walking hypocrite.

reply to post by machinegun_go_go


An artichoke is a vegetable with a 14 point lead on you in the IQ points department, cut the bus driver some slack and look up contradiction when your not busy photosynthesizing!!

"Christians - literally - get away with murder just because of their religion."

Some non christians - literally - get away with murder just because that is their religion. (Strap on a bomb and take out as many non believers as you can.)

But hey, it's a religious matter. That makes it pretty much the same, right?

Originally posted by nyk537

Originally posted by machinegun_go_go
Christians - literally - get away with murder just because of their religion.

Yep....and they are sure the only ones too aren't they?

It's not like people have been banned from saying Merry Christmas in public or anything to avoid offending non Christians. It's not like governments have been pushed away from religion and are being pushed to remove any mention of God from everything. It's not like you're accused of racism or anything if you say anything remotely bad about Muslims or Jews or anyone else huh?

Yeah...those evil Christians.

Really? Where is all the outrage over Bill OReilly claiming that Chanukah is not an American Holiday, only Christmas is. I am still waiting to hear a Jewish person complain about that.

Let the man do whatever he want. He is not forcing anyone to be like him.
I believe that every man is free to do whatever he wants and quit his job whenever he wants, without providing explanations.
( This does not apply to people that if they leave their job put others in danger. Not the case here )

This situation is best considered by drawing parallel scenarios...

What if the driver was female and the advertisement was for an obscene pornographic website? If she felt intimidated, threatened, demeaned, or insulted she could press sexual harassment charges. Now in a similar situation what if an employee (such as this bus-driver) has such a reaction to an atheistic advertisement that attacks religion? Sure, there's no specific laws regarding this as there is about sexual harassment but certainly this is a moral equivalent and they could at least put him on a different bus.

They could put him on another bus and consider it a "reasonable accommodation."

That being said, he should have just "sucked it up" and got on with his job. I mean, c'mon, grow a pair!


Edited for grammatical idiocy.

[edit on 17-1-2009 by spaznational]

Yea, no doubt, how dare someone stand up for what they believe in.

What a tragedy.

Originally posted by machinegun_go_go

This is outrageous. The man should should be fired or suspended. It is his job to drive the bus - not pass judgement on the advertisements it carries.

right right..

I'm not opposed to people expressing their opinions.. ie: the bus slogan etc..

but if it's against this guy's personal view on reality.. his religion.. he doesn't HAVE to drive the bus tho.. I mean nobody's gonna MAKE him drive it.

Just as much right should be given for the person putting the sign on the bus as much right as the driver has to not drive that particular bus if it conflicts with deeply held personal views.

what's all the hub bub?


if it was a vegan driver refusing to drive a bus with a McDonalds ad on it... would we care any more/less?


i don't really care for these types of stories.. it's a moot point.

who cares.

on one hand your personal convictions shouldn't be so insecure that they can be shaken by words on a bus.
on the other hand.. some people are thuper thenthetive, and CHOOSE to do something other than what's "convenient" (like driving the freaking bus)...

who cares?


have your own beliefs and quit blabbing about it..


-

Nah he shouldn't be fired or suspended.
A transport company being run by management with even a small amount of professionalism should of course try and keep its employees happy.
So they should just try and avoid him having to drive those buses.
But in reality hes a bus driver, he drives whatever bus they tell him to.
Whats painted on the side should not be of his concern.
It wouldn't be considered anti christian or blasphemy to drive that bus its not like he put the ad on the side of it or agrees with it.

I'm a long-time critic of the Abrahamic religions, but I fully support the decision of this man to not drive the bus. It's called standing up for your beliefs, and whether I agree or disagree with said beliefs, I support a person's right to defend them.

Besides, I have to wonder about this 'atheist bus' campaign. What's the motivation? I can't help thinking it's just another ploy to divide and divert the public, as well as destroying our spirit - because as much as I hate to admit it, mainstream religion is an expression of the spirit, however skewed it has become.

The question everyone should be asking is why is this slogan on the side of the bus in the first place. It's nothing more than a deliberate attack on peoples religious beliefs and if the bus driver is offended and chooses not to drive the bus, then that is his prerogative. You people who slam religion are no better than those who preach it. If there's one thing you need in your life, it's a dose of tolerance. I have to tolerate your lame beliefs, so your sure as hell are going to tolerate mine.






[edit on 17-1-2009 by kindred]

reply to post by rjmelter


What ignorance. Allah litterally means "the God", being a contraction of the arabic "Al" (The) and "Illah" (God). It was used in pre-Islamic Arabia, but also to refer to the one supreme God out of their pantheon.

It is rather hypocritical of a Christian to lambast the Muslims for carrying over pagan beliefs/words, when most of the Christian holy days and events are merely dressed up pagan festivals.

It is the same God as the Jewish and Christian faiths. Jesus is merely seen as a Great prophet and is lauded in the Koran for such.

reply to post by nerbot


Indeed. Those spitting hate against all things non-Christian seem to be fogetting this is a response to quite a controversial advert placed by Christians on the very same buses. Oh, how the worm has turned, hey?

Originally posted by LeoVirgo
We should not claim we are a country of God (we surely arent) and we should not have such things on our money.

"We" don't. This is a story fron London, England.

Originally posted by Kilgour
Society is getting rather sleazy and shocking these days and things like this doesn't help imo.

Exactly, in your opinion. Others have different opinions you know and may not think it is "sleazy". prior to those buggers from the Vatican turning up in the 6th century, Anglo-Saxon culture would be seen as "sleazy". Only people forcing their morals on us centuries ago have made you and others believe things to be bad today.

In most newsagents now they sell Amyll nitrate,bongs,grinders,scales,sex tourist guides at the counter.

So? What's your point? You don't like it, either shop somewhere else or ignore it.

Porn is everywhere and more degrading than ever,kids are stabbing and shooting each other,teens sing about being a "slave for you",etc.......

Nice... You tie Porn to violent kids. What next? Computer Games? Film? Eastenders?

Where is common decency,morals and respect?

There is plenty of it out there mate, you're just one of these "what next" brigade members who looks for the worst in society so you have something to whinge about.

So you don't like some aspects of society, so what? Others do. Are we supposed to conform to your views just because you are offended? I am offended by the bloody bell ringing every Sunday morning and Tuesday night by the Church near my house, I cannot hear my TV or have a lie in, but I let them be and haven't complained yet.

I bet you'd support the right of bell ringers, but would complain if Muslims had a call to paryer on a friday!

Originally posted by TheRedneck
reply to post by nerbot

Ever seen a bus advertising a "bar & grill". Do you assume the driver isn't a vegetarian?

Yes, I do. And I would bet money if you were honest, you would admit to doing the same.

Oh please! You're telling me that when you see an advert, any advert, on a bus you'd automatically assume the driver is complicit? So if there was an ad for the Army, you'd think he was a soldier? Or is there was an ad for car insurance from Aviva, he must have his insurance from them too?

I have NEVER looked at an advert on a vehicle and assumed the driver, or any of the other occupants, agree with that view. I am intelligent enough to know it is just an advert, chosen by an agency working for the bus company to reach a target audience.

I am actually quite astonished that you would assume the driver subscribes to the beliefs of an advert on the side of the bus.....

Originally posted by spaznational
This situation is best considered by drawing parallel scenarios...

What if the driver was female and the advertisement was for an obscene pornographic website?

Such a thing would never happen so your comparison of "parallel scenarios" is moot. The ASA would never allow it.

A better analogy would be if a Muslim bus driver refused to drive a bus because the advert showed Danish Bacon. Even in that example, it is ludicrous for someone to refuse to do their job based upon an advert.

Originally posted by Cythraul
Besides, I have to wonder about this 'atheist bus' campaign. What's the motivation? I can't help thinking it's just another ploy to divide and divert the public, as well as destroying our spirit - because as much as I hate to admit it, mainstream religion is an expression of the spirit, however skewed it has become.

Read the thread, it has been mentioned several times.

It is in response to a Christian ad campaign ran for quite some time, remidning us all we would "burn in Hell" if we didn't accept Jebus....


[edit on 17/1/09 by stumason]

Originally posted by kindred
The question everyone should be asking is why is this slogan on the side of the bus in the first place. It's nothing more than a deliberate attack on peoples religious beliefs and if the bus driver is offended and chooses not to drive the bus, then that is his prerogative. You people who slam religion are no better than those who preach it. If there's one thing you need in your life, it's a does of tolerance. I have to tolerate your lame beliefs, so your sure as hell are going to tolerate mine.

What about those people who don't subscribe to the beliefs of the preceeding Christian advert saying I will burn for all eternity in Hell for my sins?

Jebus can kiss my hairy white arse...

I'm sorry but that's the main problem with this world. Hardly anyone has any tolerance. Everyone thinks thery are right and everyone else is wrong. I frankly couldn't care less if someone says I'm going to burn in hell for my sins. Plenty of christians here on ATS have already said it. My religion is tolerance and as long as it's not harming me physically, then everyone is entitled to their opinion and beliefs. I simply take people who are deluded with a pinch of salt. By being in a state of hatred & ignorance, the only person you are harming is yourself. Common sense dictates, why even go there. Rise above it! You're better than that.